Michelle Pfieffer

Michelle Pfeiffer of Cary founded Anna’s Angels back in 2003 to make a difference, not just for her own daughter, but for many.

More than $1 million later she has done that via the nonprofit, which raises money to fund Down syndrome research at Duke Children’s Hospital. You can help, by attending Anna’s Angels’ annual gala, set for March 25 at 6:30 p.m., at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.

“We are looking forward to our longstanding Cary gala and we are absolutely thrilled to have (Duke Blue Devils head football) Coach Cutcliffe attend and speak,” said Pfeiffer, who was among the 2013 Cary Magazine Women of Western Wake honorees.

David Cutcliffe

Cutcliffe, the 2013 National Coach of the Year who has earned both ACC and SEC Coach of the Year honors, will be keynote speaker at the gala. His career also includes the mentoring of Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.

Also appearing at the gala will be Megan Bomgaars of the A&E hit TV show “Born this Way,” and ABC 11 Eyewitness News anchor Steve Daniels as emcee.

The evening’s activities include dinner, silent and live auctions and dancing.

“All funds raised from the gala and other Anna’s Angels events go directly to Down syndrome research grants at Duke Children’s to improve the cognitive and communicative abilities of individuals with Down syndrome,” Pfeiffer said.

“We are proud to have raised over $1.4 million to date, and continue to break barriers in the Down syndrome community.”

For gala tickets and more information about Anna’s Angels, visit annas-angels.org.