Drexel University College of Medicine will host its highly anticipated Black Tie/White Coat Ball Saturday, October 22 at 6 p.m. at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street. The event will be a fun-filled evening of music, dinner and dancing, featuring a concert by 2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darlene Love. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit research into the prevention, treatment and cure of Alzheimer's disease and related memory disorders.

The event will also honor two of Philadelphia's outstanding civic leaders: Nicholas DeBenedictis, chairman, president and CEO of Aqua America, Inc.; and Manuel Stamatakis, president and CEO of Capital Management Enterprises and immediate past chairman of Drexel University College of Medicine. Both men played a key role in the formation of the medical school 13 years ago.

"We are delighted to have this opportunity to honor Nick and Manny for their visionary leadership and support of the college over the years," said Stanley W. Silverman, chairman of the board of Drexel University College of Medicine. "We are also very excited to devote the proceeds from this event toward the pivotal work our physicians and scientists are doing in the fight against Alzheimer's disease and related memory disorders."

An estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, a number that is expected to double over the next several decades due to the aging baby boomer population. Drexel University College of Medicine is among an elite national group of medical sites participating in clinical trials for Alzheimer's vaccines.

The Drexel University College of Medicine Black Tie/White Coat Ball is one of the biggest health care fundraisers in the Philadelphia region, and has twice been recognized as "Best Event" by the Philadelphia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.