William Sansum Diabetes Center honors Anne Smith Towbes by naming a Phalaenopsis orchid in honor of her

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.—February 3, 2016—The William Sansum Diabetes Center is excited to host its annual Gala Preview Party as part of the 71^st Annual Santa Barbara Orchid Show on March 3, 2016, 5:30-8:00 PM, at Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, CA. This event features stunning, prize winning orchids while supporting diabetes research.  Wine, delicious food, and guided orchid tours highlight this special evening.

This year, a Phalaenopsis orchid has been named in honor of Anne Smith Towbes to thank her for her continued generosity to our community. William Sansum Diabetes Center Board President, Sandra Tillisch Svoboda says, “We are excited to celebrate our 71^st year as a diabetes research center in conjunction with the 71^st year of the International Orchid Show. Anne Smith Towbes and her husband, Michael Towbes, have been supporting our work for over 20 years. We are happy to honor her by naming a beautiful white Phalaenopsis orchid after her.” Sandra is also the President of the World Orchid Conference Trust, the past President of The American Orchid Society, and the Editor in Chief of The Orchid Digest. “This is going to be a beautiful event dazzling all of your senses”, she adds.

Gala Preview Party guests will receive free entry to the orchid show and orchid sales area on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, March 4-6.  To attend, please purchase tickets here. All proceeds benefit the prevention, treatment, and cure of diabetes.

ABOUT WILLIAM SANSUM DIABETES CENTER:

William Sansum Diabetes Center is dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of diabetes. Our singular focus is to improve the health and quality of life of men, women and children in Santa Barbara County – and millions around the world – who suffer from diabetes. We have been on the cutting edge of diabetes research, clinical care, and education since our founding in 1944 by Dr. William Sansum, the first U.S. physician to administer insulin in the treatment of diabetes.

William Sansum Diabetes Center has an established world reputation in the field of diabetes and pregnancy and artificial pancreas, which enables patients to have automated glucose control. Until protocols were developed here, women with diabetes were told they could not bear children. Now, thanks to our groundbreaking work, women with diabetes can deliver healthy babies.

WSDC offers diabetes and nutrition education to Santa Barbara residents with or at risk for the disease.  We also provide direct clinical care to patients including pediatrics and women with diabetes during pregnancy.

We are continually committed to improving the lives of people impacted by diabetes with the hopes of a cure.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Jessica Lehner

805.682.7640 X 246

jlehner@sansum.org