This gala
is the
Brain Injury
Association
of New York
State's
major annual
fundraising
event,
raising
critical
funds to
continue its
mission.
Honorary
Co-Chairs
Penny
Marshall
and
Lorraine
Bracco,
motivated by
their own
experiences
supporting a
friend with
a traumatic
brain
injury, have
generously
committed
their time
and energy
to support
the
Journey of
Hope Gala
and the
Association.
Mary
Ellen
McCooey
and
Bradley Van
Nostrand
served as
the Gala
co-chairs,
while
David Ushery,
Anchor, WNBC
4 New York
was the
Master of
Ceremonies
for the
evening.
At this
year's gala,
awards were
given to the
following
Association
supporters:
The
Champion of
Hope Award
went to
Dr. Mary
Hibbard
from New
York
University/Rusk
Institute of
Rehabilitation,
who has
devoted her
professional
and personal
life to the
support of
individuals
with brain
injury and
their
families;
The
Victory
Award
was accepted
by Daniel
Trush of
Daniel's
Music
Foundation,
whose
courage,
resiliency,
and generous
spirit
serves as
encouragement
and
inspiration
to all who
struggle
with brain
injury and
their loved
ones;
The
Family
Philanthropy
Award was
given to
Elliot
Finkelstein,
who, with
his late
wife, Sandy,
became a
pioneer in
advocacy for
individuals
with brain
injury and
their
families,
and founded
BIANYS;
The Hero
of Hope
Award
went to
Sergeant
Jeannette
Arroyo,
U.S. Army
(Retired)
who
sustained a
brain injury
in the
service of
our nation,
and has
dedicated
herself to
giving voice
to her
fellow
wounded
warriors;
and
The
Corporate
Citizens of
the Year
Award
were
accepted by
J
ohn P.
Ferrantello
of John P.
Ferrantello,
P.C. and
Anthony
Ferrantello
of AVF
Development
Corp., who
have strived
to bring
awareness of
brain injury
to the
business
community.
The
evening
began with a
lavish
cocktail
reception
and silent
auction
followed by
the award
presentations,
dinner and
live
auction.
Lorraine
Bracco
presented a
moving
opening
address,
setting the
stage for
the rest of
the evening.
In addition
to the
silent
auction,
enthusiastic
guests bid
on several
exceptional
items at an
exciting
live
auction.
About
the Brain
Injury
Association
of New York
State
Since
1982, the
Brain Injury
Association
of New York
State (BIANYS)
has provided
education,
advocacy,
and
community
support
services
that improve
the quality
of life for
children and
adults with
brain
injuries and
their
families.
Every 23
seconds,
another
person in
the United
States
sustains a
brain
injury. The
Centers for
Disease
Control
estimates
that at
least 3.2
million
Americans
are
currently
living with
long term
disabilities
from a
traumatic
brain
injury. One
in five of
our military
personnel
fighting in
Iraq and
Afghanistan
sustains a
traumatic
brain
injury.
BIANYS
raises
awareness
about brain
injury, and
serves as an
advocate and
resource for
civilian and
military
families as
they seek to
understand
the symptoms
of and
treatment
for brain
injury, and
the
professionals
who work
with them.
For more
information
on the
Brain Injury
Association
of New York
State,
please call
(518)
459-7911 or
visit
www.bianys.org.