On November 25, officers and trustees from the Directors Guild Foundation (DGF) joined officials from the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) at the Saban Community Center in Woodland Hills, California for a dedication commemorating the recently announced DGA Foundation Cognitive Wellness Program.
The DGF has made a ten year commitment to this ambitious research project exploring the relationship between cognitive health and wellness programs. The program will be launched by a two-year study to assess whether the cognitive benefits of combining memory training with physical exercise programs delays the onset of Alzheimer’s dementia symptoms conducted by the UCLA Longevity Center on the first phase of this research in partnership with the MPTF.
“The Directors Guild Foundation is proud to be a long-standing supporter of MPTF and its programs to enhance the wellbeing of the entertainment community,” said DGF Chair Donald Petrie. “We are excited that our contribution enables MPTF to be at the forefront of the exciting work it is doing with the UCLA Longevity Center. We hope this work will add to the quality of life of our members and that of the entire entertainment community, helping each of us to remain active longer than ever before. The establishment of the DGA Foundation Cognitive Wellness Program is the first step in a long term commitment towards supporting this research effort.”
Following the dedication service, the attendees heard an informative presentation by MPTF Chief Innovation Officer Scott Kaiser, MD, and Dr. Gary Small, Director of the UCLA Longevity Center, who discussed the program in more detail. Over 140 entertainment industry member volunteers will be recruited into the program at The Saban Center for Health & Wellness on MPTF’s Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills.
About the Directors Guild Foundation:
Founded in 1945, the DGF has a rich history of generosity, providing confidential loans to Directors Guild of America members who are facing short term financial hardship. In addition to assisting members in need, the Foundation is also a contributor to the Motion Picture & Television Fund, supporting programs and services to better serve our members and their families. Additionally, the Foundation supports The Actors Fund, which is a national nonprofit human services organization that provides for the welfare of all entertainment professionals. The Foundation is supported by the generosity of Guild members, fellow entertainment industry partners and corporate donors.
DGF Officers:
Donald Petrie, Chairman of The Board; Scott Berger, First Vice Chairman; Todd Holland, Second Vice Chairman; Carl Weathers, Secretary; Cleve Landsberg, Treasurer; Robert Ellis Miller, Assistant Secretary; Millicent Shelton, Assistant Treasurer
DGF Trustees:
Michael Apted, Paris Barclay, James Burrows, Robert Butler, Gil Cates, Jr., Casey Childs, Leonard Garner, Jr., Lesli Linka Glatter, Taylor Hackford, Arthur Hiller, Victoria Hochberg, Vincent Misiano, Gene Reynolds, Arlene Sanford, Mary Rae Thewlis, Betty Thomas, Michael Zinberg.