Marriott Foundation Makes Groundbreaking Grant to Foundation for Facial Recovery

ROCKVILLE, MD--(Marketwired - April 25, 2016) - The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation announced a commitment of $65,000 to the Foundation for Facial Recovery. This groundbreaking research grant will enable FFR to hire staff focused on early-stage research and effective new treatments for facial palsy and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Facial palsy afflicts 40,000 Americans each year and TMJ dysfunction impacts 10 million Americans every year.

"The Foundation for Facial Recovery is extremely grateful and excited that the Marriott Foundation provided us with this generous grant to fuel our research into effective treatments of facial palsy and TMJ dysfunction," said Ancelmo Lopes, chairman of FFR. "We believe we are the only center in the country focused strictly on research and education around treatments for facial palsy and TMJ dysfunction, so it makes the Marriott Foundation's grant that much more important."

"FFR will use the grant to hire staff that will coordinate research activities, create educational programs and broaden the scope of our Foundation through financial development initiatives," said Jodi Barth, president of FFR.

The Marriott Foundation provided the grant to FFR in part because of the personal experience of David Marriott, a senior executive with the hotel corporation and a member of the Marriott family. He was afflicted with facial paralysis and turned to the Center for Facial Recovery, the founding organization for FFR, which provided him with a proactive treatment plan that helped him recover.

"Like the thousands of people suddenly struck by facial paralysis, I know first hand how shocking, debilitating and confusing it can be. The lack of medical information and proven treatments available can make it difficult to know where to turn for help," said David Marriott. "So I'm particularly pleased that the Marriott Foundation can play an important role in the meaningful work on the treatment of facial palsy and TMJ dysfunction."

Facial paralysis (palsy) afflicts tens of thousands of Americans every year. The most common facial paralysis is known as Bell's Palsy, frequently striking pregnant women, diabetics, even passengers on lengthy flights, and many others for no explicable reason. Other people get palsy caused by Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, Lyme's Disease, tumors or trauma. Most people recover, but for thousands of them (at least 15% of the people affected), the paralysis continues to affect them, preventing many of them from drinking from a cup, smiling or being able to sleep with their eyes safely shut.

FFR encourages all those afflicted with facial palsy or TMJ dysfunction and their families, friends and other interested parties to get involved in the foundation by contacting the Foundation at 240-833-2921 or info@foundationforfacialrecovery.org, or visiting foundationforfacialrecovery.org.

About The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation:

The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation was established in 1965 with the purpose of giving back to the community. Under the current direction of J.W. Marriott, Jr. and Richard E. Marriott, the Marriott Foundation is dedicated to helping youth secure a promising future, especially through education on the secondary and higher education levels, mentoring and youth leadership programs. Equally important are organizations that help provide relief from hunger and disasters; support people with disabilities; and create gainful employment opportunities for vulnerable youth and adults. 

About the Foundation for Facial Recovery

The Foundation for Facial Recovery was founded in 2015 to provide a venue for the exchange of ideas and experiences with facial palsy and TMJ dysfunction, conduct research on a broad spectrum of facial palsy and TMJ dysfunction treatments and related subjects, and educate providers, patients and the public about facial palsy and TMJ dysfunction, their significance and treatment options. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of seven members from the medical and business communities. All contributions to the Foundation for Facial Recovery are tax deductible. The Foundation for Facial Recovery is based at the Center for Facial Recovery:

6110 Executive Boulevard

Suite 460

Rockville, MD 20852