The Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute hosted a rockin’ fundraiser for Head North spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Entering via the red carpet, guests were greeted by flashes from the "paparazzi" and an Ozzy Osbourne lookalike.

Those in attendance included Camille Sobrian Saltman, president and chief operating officer of CONNECT in La Jolla, and David Saltman; Muffy Walker and her husband, John Reed, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer of Sanford-Burnham; Laura Karch; Debby and Wain Fishburn; and event chairs Terry and Stath Karras.

Carriage Trade gourmet hamburgers and simple fare were served up as well as rock ’n’ roll music.

And then it was game time, with the theme of “Bring It.” Guests enthusiastically answered wacky trivia questions, all for a great cause.

The Head North Foundation aids the transitional needs of spinal cord injury survivors whose costs can range from $270,000 to $740,000 for the first year alone. With approximately 3,000 SCI survivors in San Diego County, and more injuries each year, the need is great.

La Jolla’s Sanford-Burnham is a world class research facility whose stem cell research in spinal cord rehabilitation has the goal and the hope that one day SCI survivors will be treated with a relatively simple surgical procedure that will regenerate nerve cells with results of improving motor skills or even reversing paralysis.

“Sanford-Burnham and Head North once again hosted a fun, educational and prosperous event to raise funds for spinal cord injuries,” remarked Muffy Walker.

“This is a fantastic celebration of the indomitable human spirit that forever battles to triumph over tragedy,” said Meritas Advisors' Lenore "Elle" Hawkins. “We are so pleased to be able to help, in some small way, move towards a solution for spinal cord injuries.”

Sponsors for the event included CONNECT, Cushman & Wakefield, Jeanne and Gary Herberger, Cooley LLP, The Irving Group, Life Technologies, Pegasus Building Services, and Barney & Barney.