The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation

Jim and Linda

Jim, Jenn and Ryan

The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation is dedicated to raising money for Genetic Research and Education, as well as helping to provide grants to those seeking medical assistance.

In 2002, we lost our beloved Jim to obsessive-compulsive disorder; and during the last conversation with him, he said, 'I want to make a difference.' Our family founded The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation to fulfill his last wish.

The mission of the James Marshall OCD Foundation is to offer hope to all those afflicted or touched by this often overlooked disease through financial support of research aimed at treatment, and ultimately, a cure for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.


Facts

Every year, 6 million Americans, at a cost of $8 billion, are affected by OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder); listed as one of the 10 most disabling diseases in the United States. This is an impact totaling more than heart disease, diabetes and cancer put together; yet, it receives only $2.61 per person in funding on an annual basis. Currently, The James E. Marshall foundation is the only entity, other than the nation OC Foundation, raising money for genetic research.

Unless touched by this horrible disease firsthand, most people unfortunately, do not understand how truly devastating OCD can be, and not just for the sufferers, but for family, friends, and co-workers who see how destructive the behavior can be. Patients with OCD have repetitive, intrusive, disturbing, obsessive thoughts, impulses, or images that cause anxiety; and these classify OCD as an anxiety disorder. They also have compulsive rituals designed to decrease this anxiety.

OCD can take many different forms, from contamination concerns to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which is a secret obsession with how they look, with a perceived flaw in their appearance. Our biggest ally in changing public perception is, of course, the media—helping to shed light on this disease and getting people talking so we can lift the stigma associated with mental disorders.


Beyond Beauty

 

In 2005, The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation hosted it’s first beyondBeauty Gala in New York City; the gathering together of Cosmetic Industry heads to honor those who’ve made a difference and to raise funds for research.

This is a disease that affects our industry (cosmetic/skincare) as well as so many families. Once again our Industry is leading the country in bringing attention to a disease that has been ignored. We have also witnessed a broader dialogue of this disease and have seen major segments on Good Morning America, Oprah, and Dr. Phil, which have focused on the seriousness of this disease.

Increasingly, our industry is expanding its concept of beauty beyond physical attributes to include the emotional connection between consumers and our products. OCD touches so many people’s lives and it is heartening to see that significant progress is being made. We hope that education and funding can only accelerate finding a cure.


Making a Difference

On Tuesday, February 12, 2008, The James E. Marshall OCD Foundation, which benefits genetic research and awareness for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, honored E. Scott Beattie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Arden, Inc. and Charles H. Townsend, President and CEO of Conde Nast Publications, at the fourth annual Beyond Beauty dinner.  The event was held at the Union League in New York City, and featured Soledad O'Brien, anchor and special correspondent for CNN, as master of ceremonies, and included a special performance by singer Andrea Marcovicci. 

 

"Our biggest ally in changing public perceptions is the media, which can help shed light on this disease and stimulate discussion so we can erase the stigma associated with mental disorders.  This is our mission: Awareness, Discovery, Cure." Funds raised by the Beyond Beauty dinner of $284,000 will go to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and will be allocated by Dr. Gerald Nestadt, head of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science.

 

E. Scott Beattie is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Arden Inc., a global prestige beauty products company.  Since the inception of the business in 1992, Mr. Beattie has been involved in every element of Elizabeth Arden's expansion and development.  During the fiscal year ending June 2007, net sales were over $1.1 billion.  Elizabeth Arden products are sold in over 90 countries worldwide.  Mr. Beattie has dedicated himself to building an organization that is entrepreneurial in spirit, utilizes a team-based approach, focusing on the needs of both its consumers and its retail partners and counts and treats its employees as its most valued resource. 

 

Charles H. Townsend is President and Chief Executive Officer of Conde Nast Publications, home to many of the world's most celebrated magazines and websites, including Vogue, Allure, Vanity Fair, Glamour, GQ, style.com, Wired, epicurious.com, Conde Nast Portfolio, and The New Yorker. Since becoming CEO of the company in January 2004, Mr. Townsend has overseen the consolidation of Advance Magazine Group's diverse publishing assets under the Conde Nast Publications banner.  Today, Conde Nast publishes twenty-six consumer magazines and their websites, eight commercial websites, and three business-to-business trade publications.

 

While the beauty industry is committed to helping people look beautiful on the outside, this event highlights how the industry helps them feel beautiful within as well, thus the name "Beyond Beauty."