Los Angeles – House Research Institute has launched the 65 Faces fund-raising campaign. The new initiative coincides with the 65th anniversary of the institute, which recently changed its name from House Ear Institute. In keeping with the 65-year theme, the campaigns fund-raising goal is $65 million.

"When my father founded the institute 65 years ago, his goal was to help patients hear and to share his knowledge with other physicians," said John House, MD, president of House Research Institute and associate physician at the House Clinic. "My father’s legacy lives on every day in the thousands of patients who have benefitted from the research and the thousands of physicians from around the world who have come to the institute to learn."

The 65 Faces Campaign reflects the 65 years that the institute has helped people to correct hearing problems, as well as educate people on how to avoid hearing problems.

To illustrate that record, 65 Faces will feature stories of patients, physicians, scientists, and donors who have played a major role in the institute’s effort to improve hearing during the last 65 years. To see some of the 65 Faces of the campaign, go to www.hei.org/stories.

"In the 65 year history of the institute, there have been amazing surgical and scientific breakthroughs including the research and development of the cochlear implant and auditory brainstem implant," said James Boswell (right), chief executive officer of House Research Institute. "With research already in progress, the institute is positioned for many more breakthroughs in the next 65 years."

The 65 Faces campaign’s first step was its recent name change to House Research Institute, which was announced in April. This isn’t the first time the institute has changed its name. In fact, since the organization’s founding in 1946 by Dr Howard House, House Research Institute will be the fourth name change.

The previous names included the Los Angeles Foundation for Otology, Ear Research Institute, and House Ear Institute.

"Changing the name to House Research Institute has given the 65 Faces Campaign momentum right from the start," said Daniel Graham, executive vice president of development at House Research Institute. "The campaign promises to provide critical support for our enterprise, support that will secure our mission through infrastructure and endowment, expand our potential with innovative technologies, and empower our future with the capacity to recruit world-class scientific investigators."

The institute has already received several substantial gifts. David Koch has donated $5 million to fund the Koch Center for Hearing Restoration. James and Anne Rothenberg gave $3 million with half as unrestricted funds to support the 65 Faces Campaign, and the other half to Howard P. House, MD Endowment in honor of John W. House, MD. Lynn Booth and the Booth Foundation have donated $1 million to the 65 Faces Campaign.

Additionally, the Chandler family and their foundation, The Scottsdale Foundation, have donated $1 million to establish the Chandler Chair for Tinnitus Research. The recruitment for a scientist to fill the endowed chair will begin immediately.

To make a donation for the 65 Faces, contact the House Research Development office.

SOURCE: House Research Institute