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Monday, June 02, 2003

By Patricia Sheridan, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Her first of 27 best sellers was "Where Are the Children?" but today suspense novelist Mary Higgins Clark is asking how we can help the children.

	Mary Higgins Clark responding to admirers at her gala to benefit the FRAXA Research Foundation. (John Heller, Post-Gazette)

The Mary Higgins Clark Gala to benefit the FRAXA Research Foundation is usually held in Washington, D.C., and New York City, but Thursday it made its Pittsburgh debut at the Omni William Penn.

With the internationally known author came an A list of supporters, including the evening's host, former TV news correspondent Roger Mudd with his wife, E.J.; Sen. Arlen Specter, who was honored with the "Beacon of Light" award for his efforts on FRAXA's behalf; Time magazine president Eileen Naughton; and Steelers starting quarterback Tommy Maddox.

As the grandmother of a Fragile X child, Mary Higgins Clark has offered time, money and resources to help solve the mystery of this syndrome, which is the leading cause of inherited mental retardation and developmental and learning disabilities. The Fragile X gene was isolated in 1991, and testing for carriers and those affected has improved, but more dramatic breakthroughs that may result in a reversal or at the least an improvement is why guests came to consort with the queen of suspense.

Accompanied by her daughter-in-law, Mary Jane Clark, and her granddaughter Elizabeth, she gladly posed for pictures, signed autographs and chatted about everything from high-profile murder cases to her granddaughter's acting talent.

After dinner, Maddox received the first-ever Children's Champion Award from event co-chairs Jim and Michele Cox, whose son Christopher was diagnosed with the syndrome. Christopher and his sister, Mckayla added a playful element to the party with a serious purpose. Putting some power behind their own pens at the silent auction were Tracy and Tony Recchia, Ann and Bruce Williams, Mary and Patrick Cox, Dr. David Fox, Rosa Fusca with her son Nick and daughter-in-law Nicole, Dawn and Chuck Osthoff, Drs. David and Rhonda Parda, Ara and Leslie Bagdasarian, Dr. Carol Delahunty and Dr. Charles and Ellen Wilf.