TUCSON, Ariz. – Building upon a long tradition of mutual support, the University of Arizona Arthritis Center once again will team up with the UA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics as it presents the 2018 University of Arizona Arthritis Center Bear Down Luncheon, a unique event to benefit the UA Arthritis Center and its research efforts. A Center of Excellence at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson, the UA Arthritis Center is a research leader with a focus on identifying the causes of arthritis and developing improved diagnosis, measurement and treatment of the disease.
The luncheon will be held Wednesday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 6360 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson. The event is sponsored by Desert Diamond Casinos and Entertainment.
Dave Heeke, UA vice president for athletics, will be the guest speaker. Heeke was named Arizona’s 13th director of athletics in February 2017 and officially started on April 1 of that year. He is a veteran in college athletics and the Pac-12 Conference, serving 18 years in the Oregon athletics department and 11 years as the athletics director at Central Michigan University.
In 2013, Heeke was one of only 11 Division I athletics directors appointed to the NCAA Division I Athletic Director Advisory Group. The group meets periodically with NCAA President Mark Emmert and his staff to provide feedback and perspective on issues affecting Division I athletics.
Since it began in the early 1980s, the UA Arthritis Center partnership with Wildcat athletics has raised nearly $2 million for the Center, a leader in the development of some of the first artificial joints as well as state-of-the-art arthritis treatments that have benefited patients in Arizona and nationwide. Current UA Arthritis Center research includes studies of biomarkers that indicate early stages of osteoarthritis and preventive treatments that can affect its progression.
Tickets are $100 per person ($56 tax deductible) or $550 for a table of six ($285 tax deductible). The Silver Supporter package is $1,000 ($912 tax deductible) and includes two tickets with signage and podium recognition; the Gold Supporter package is $2,500 ($2,235 tax deductible) and includes six tickets with signage and podium recognition.
For reservations or more information, please call the UA Arthritis Center, 520-626-6399. Kindly reply by Friday, May 4.