NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – On Tuesday, October 10, Jupiter Medical Center Foundation proudly hosted
“An Evening Benefiting Traumatic Brain Injury” to raise funds
to help provide life-altering treatments for patients at the Joe Namath
Neurological Research Center at Jupiter Medical Center of Palm Beach County,
Florida. The event, sponsored by Omnicom Group and St. George’s
University, was held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
Former baseball great and New York Emmy-award winning broadcaster Fran
Healy emceed the event, while Joe Theismann, keynote speaker and former
Washington Redskins quarterback moved audience members when he explained
“it’s not just football players” who suffer from traumatic
brain injuries (TBIs). More than 1.7 million people sustain TBIs each
year from other sports, falls, car accidents, assaults, and military combat.
During one of the most emotional points of the evening and with tremendous
pride, Cody Gifford accepted an award on behalf of his beloved late father,
and football icon Frank Gifford, whose family donated his brain to medical
science to help researchers learn more about the link between football
and brain injury. Cody’s mother and
Today Show sweetheart Kathie Lee, watched with heartfelt emotion from the audience.
Two patients who participated in the clinical trial being conducted at
Jupiter Medical Center, also attended the event. Patient “Katie,”
who could barely talk just a few years ago, shared her inspiring story
of determination, bringing the crowd to tears, and, to their feet for
a standing ovation.
Event co-chair Joe Namath, who the Center is named after, huddled during
a fireside chat with Theismann and Healy where they exchanged stories,
talked about the precariousness of football and the seriousness of TBI.
Former NFL players, New York Jets Greg Buttle, John Schmidt and Richard
Caster and New York Giant Harry Carson, were also in attendance to show
their support. Media advertising giant John Wren, CEO of Omnicom Group,
also honorary co-chair of the event with Namath, expressed his enthusiasm
in supporting the cause and praised the work being done for all TBI patients.
“To see such big names in business and sports come together for this
benefit was truly incredible,” said Liv Vesely, President of Jupiter
Medical Center Foundation. “It’s extremely humbling to see
exectives from many of New York’s top companies support our cause,”
she added.
The proceeds from the event will benefit the Joe Namath Neurological Research
Center at Jupiter Medical Center, where a clinical trial is currently
underway. These donations will help doctors continue their life-altering
work using hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat TBI patients and hope to
be able to bring this groundbreaking treatment inot the mainstream.
To support the ongoing efforts surrounding TBI research, visit namathneurocenter.org or call
1-800-864-2234
About Jupiter Medical Center Foundation
Since its founding in 1989, Jupiter Medical Center Foundation has empowered
Jupiter Medical Center with the financial resources to reimagine the delivery
of health and wellness to the region. Jupiter Medical Center Foundation,
together with Jupiter Medical Center, is committed to transforming regional
health care through leading-edge technology, patient-centered care and
enhanced facilities. The Foundation has funded a number of major projects
at Jupiter Medical Center, including the De George Pediatric Unit in partnership
with Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, the Margaret W. Niedland Breast
Center, The Anderson Family Orthopedic & Spine Center, the Frank E.
and Mary D. Walsh Robotic Surgery Program, and the Florence A. De George Pavilion.
As a leading, not-for-profit medical provider in the region, Jupiter Medical
Center relies on philanthropic gifts to maintain patients’ well-being
and quality of care, and Jupiter Medical Center Foundation is dedicated
to securing this financial support in order to fulfill the mission of
the organization. For more information, please visit jmcfoundation.org.
About Jupiter Medical Center
A not-for-profit, 327-bed, regional medical center, consisting of 207 private
acute-care hospital beds, and 120 long-term care, sub-acute rehabilitation
and Hospice beds, Jupiter Medical Center is reimagining how to restore
the community’s health and wellness. Award-winning physicians, world-class
partnerships, and innovative techniques and technology enable Jupiter
Medical Center to provide a broad range of services with specialty concentrations
in cardiology, oncology, imaging, orthopedics and spine, digestive health,
emergency and pediatric services, lung and thoracic, women’s health,
weight management and men’s health.
Founded in 1979, Jupiter Medical Center has approximately 1,600 team members,
615 physicians and 640 volunteers. Jupiter Medical Center continues to
perform in the top 10% of hospitals for patient quality and satisfaction.
For more information on Jupiter Medical Center, please call 561-263-2234
or visit jupitermedcom.