MMRI is proud to continue its annual 12 Days of Giving campaign, which runs from Monday, December 1, 2025, through Friday, December 12, 2025. Last week, MMRI also took part in GivingTuesday on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Throughout the entire 12 Days of Giving, all contributions will be matched up to $10,000 by a generous anonymous donor. MMRI invites supporters to help advance its vital biomedical research in heart disease, lupus, autism, PTSD and more, ensuring continued progress toward improving human health.

 

During the 12 Days of Giving, all $1,000 donations will be thanked with two tickets to its exclusive 1958 Gala held on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Donors of $150 on select giving days will also be entered to win two tickets to specific Utica Comets hockey games throughout the month of December. Details regarding incentives can be found online at mmri.edu/12DaysofGiving.

 

Donations this 12 Days of Giving will contribute to MMRI’s cutting-edge research in:

 

· Heart Disease & Diabetes: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and since 1958, MMRI has been making great progress in understanding its causes and creating ways to treat it. MMRI’s research focuses on how certain genes and molecular changes contribute to various heart conditions, like congenital heart disease, heart failure, diabetes-related heart disease, as well as inflammation and abnormal heart rhythms.

 

· Autism & PTSD: MMRI also researches genes linked to neurocognitive conditions such as autism and PTSD. In 2023, incidences of autism rose to be 1 in 36 children and 70 to 80% of the risk for autism is inherited or caused by other genetic factors (TACA). As a result, MMRI studies how genetics, environment and social factors play a role in the rise of autism and PTSD and explores connections between brain and heart health.

 

· Lupus: In autoimmune diseases like lupus, MMRI’s research is uncovering new genes and pathways that cause this devastating ailment. It is estimated that 322,000 to 1.5 million people have some form of lupus. Importantly, ninety percent of people living with it are female and it disproportionately affects minority populations (Lupus Foundation of America). MMRI’s goal is to find better ways to diagnose, treat and hopefully cure these conditions by targeting their underlying genetic and molecular changes.

Interested donors are encouraged to give online at mmri.edu/12DaysofGiving. Other ways to support MMRI include: sharing social media posts, tagging MMRI and using the hashtag, #12DaysofGiving.