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Gems Give Hope for a Parkinson's Cure -- and Much More -- at Record-Setting Auction

Gems Give Hope for a Parkinson's Cure -- and Much More -- at Record-Setting Auction

Christie’s Geneva hosted a highly anticipated auction on May 14, which would exceed their pre-sale expectations by more than $11 million. In one record-setting evening, ‘Jewels For Hope: The Collection of Mrs. Lily Safra’ realized a total of almost $39 million. Even more remarkable than the sum is its destination: The Lily Safra Foundation will donate the full proceeds to 32 charitable organizations—including The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF).

Mrs. Lily Safra said, “I am overjoyed, knowing that so many people in need around the world will benefit. Like the jewels sold tonight, these extraordinary organizations make the world a more beautiful place, and it is a great privilege to be able to support them.”

A member of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Safra is one of The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s most generous and longest standing donors, supporting MJFF individually and through The Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation. From the jewelry auction, she will personally donate $1 million to the Foundation. Thanks to the Brin Wojcicki Challenge, her gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, making it worth $2 million toward MJFF’s efforts to speed a cure for Parkinson’s.

Read Christie’s press release here.

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