It's All About the Research......

Displayed among Annette's awards and other career-related memorabilia at D23 Expo 2015 was an illustration depicting a device that was developed with the help of a grant from the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases (AFRFND).

Created by Dr. Paolo Zamboni, this small, simple instrument is able to accurately measure blood flow back to the heart from the brain. It was tested this year on the International Space Station by Italy's first female astronaut, Samantha Cristofferetti. After 199 days, 16 hours and 42 minutes in space, Cristofferetti broke the record for the longest space flight by any woman in history.

The same tool used in this historic space experiment is expected to benefit millions on earth by easily and effectively detecting obstacles within the veins obstructing blood flow from the brain back to the heart; which is believed to be a contributor to neurodegenerative conditions like MS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

It is groundbreaking projects like this that your donations to AFRFND support!

We want to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at this years Expo and supported us with your encouragement and donations! Thanks to you, and especially Dave Mason from SaturdaysToys.com who graciously hosted us, over $4,000 was raised for neurological research at this three-day event!

We also want to extend our thanks to Director, Carol Schumacher and her husband Scott who traveled from San Francisco to Anaheim to represent the Fund at the booth on Sunday. The couple covered all room and travel expenses themselves, at absolutely no cost to the Fund.

By supporting the AFRFND, you are joining a team committed to unraveling the mysteries surrounding neurological disease. With nearly 100% of all contributions going directly to research grants.......for us......it truly is all about the research!

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Annette Funicello: Tributes from Fans and Friends

It's simply not often enough that I have the opportunity to alert our readers of a brand new Annette related product, but finally, the long dry spell between such releases has come to an end with the book, Annette Funicello: Tributes from Fans and Friends . Rita Rose, former president of Annette's international fan club, has compiled the personal memories and reflections of over forty individuals who are related to, have met, worked with or befriended this most likable star. While Annette is famously remembered for being the same person in her daily life as she appears on screen, this book takes you deeper and reveals some of the lesser known dimensions of her character and personality. Find out what it was like to encounter Annette as a fan, to be a guest in her home, to collaborate with her in the recording studio and attend to her on-set or on one of her early promotional tours in the '60s. Some share how they first learned and reacted to the news of Annette...

NEWS: Bikini Beach and Pajama Party Debut on Blu Ray

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A CLOSER LOOK: Bob Hope's Thanksgiving Special Promotional 33 1/3 rpm

Beginning in 1950, the legendary comedian and Hollywood personality, Bob Hope began making television specials for NBC. For these shows, Hope was joined by a variety of celebrity guests and other talent who performed and participated in skits consistent with the incredibly popular variety show format of the time. Hope's specials were considered must-watch television and were a popular draw through the mid- '80s. Annette Funicello's fans across the country felt especially blessed the Thanksgiving season of 1964 when it was announced that she would be appearing on Hope's upcoming holiday special. Annette made the appearance to promote her latest picture, Pajama Party (released November 11, 1964) and her Annette at Bikini Beach record album - which she performed two songs from on the show. I've always found vintage promotional ephemera to be especially interesting... seeing how the creatives of entertainment chose to promote their latest offering t...

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