Glee Star Lauren Potter to be Special Guest at 10th Annual Anna’s Angels Gala

Cary, NC, January 24, 2013 --(PR.com)-- This year, the annual Anna’s Angels Gala will feature a national megastar to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Triangle-based, not-for-profit organization, Anna’s Angels. Lauren Potter from the hit TV show Glee will be the special guest at the Gala, which supports Down syndrome research at Duke Children’s Hospital. This year’s gala will be held on Saturday, March 9 at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.

“We are thrilled to have Lauren join us for the 10th anniversary of our gala. Lauren is an inspiration to us all," said Anna’s Angels founder Michelle Pfeiffer. “All funds raised from the gala and other Anna’s Angels events go directly to Down syndrome research grants at Duke to improve the cognitive and communicative abilities of individuals with Down syndrome. We’re proud of the fact that we have raised close to one million dollars, to-date.”

Anna’s Angels was started by Pfeiffer and her husband, Andrew Merrills following the birth of their second child, Anna, who has Down syndrome.

The black tie optional event, which will be emceed by ABC Eyewitness News Anchor Steve Daniels, includes a gourmet dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions and a diamond raffle. Tickets for the event are $100 per person ($115 after January 18), and a cash bar will be available.

For more information about Anna’s Angels, visit annas-angels.org. For information on event sponsorships, donations to the auction or to purchase individual or group tickets, please contact Michelle Pfeiffer at michellepfeiffer@nc.rr.com or call 919-604-3350. Tickets to the gala may also be purchased online at gifts.duke.edu/annas_angels.

About Anna’s Angels Foundation

Anna’s Angels was founded in 2003 by Andrew Merrills and Michelle Pfeiffer, on behalf of their daughter, who was born with Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality which occurs in one of approximately 733 live births. Anna was also diagnosed in 2002 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a type of cancer that is more prevalent in people with Down syndrome. Anna’s Angels works in partnership with Duke Children’s Hospital to raise funds to promote laboratory and clinical research regarding Down syndrome. The vision of Anna’s Angels is to improve the cognitive and communicative ability of individuals with Down syndrome while giving them the ability to reach their full potential. For more information, visit annas-angels.org or call 919-604-3350.