(PALM BEACH, FL) –
November 25, 2008--Over 400 Palm Beach philanthropists
representing all aspects of the '08/'09 charity season teamed up
this weekend at the Mar-A-Lago Club for a gala effort to benefit the
BioMotion's Institute for Mobility and Longevity. In
conjunction with the ADT
Championship, the event was held on the eve of the LPGA Season
Finale in support of children and adults affected by bone and joint
disorders. Called “A Celebration of Motion”, the second annual,
black-tie event featured a live auction, cocktail reception and gala
dinner dance attended by a roster of prominent LPGA sports figures
including Florida's first lady of golf Michelle McGann.
Venerable Palm Beach charity hostess Gale S. Brophy served as Gala
Chairman.
Honorary
Chairmen for the gala were Julie and Amin J. Khoury and Ali Rowe
Nelson and Margarita Abrishami served as Co-Chairwomen. Dawn
Fennessy and Sara Haryman were tapped as Junior Chairwomen.
Gala
host committee members who joined forces to support the black-tie
affair included Hillary Musser-Bishop, Rose Marie Brancato, Ava
Coleman, Tina Edington, Norma Fireman, Lauren Garrett, Barbara Katz,
Barbara Levine, Kristin Magee, Elaine Miller, Jeff Miller, Larry
Montello and Mark Queenan.
Baseball Hall
of Fame Inductee Gary Carter pitched in support of the gala evening
and served as the event's emcee.
Grand
benefactors for the gala benefit were Florence and Lawrence De
George and Fryda and George Lindemann. International Society of Palm
Beach President Herme' de Wyman Miro served as the Grand Patron.
Additional sponsorship was
provided by Harris Private Bank, The Gardens Court,
Vive Magazine, Dr. Anita Mandal, M.D.
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, Kanaris Fine Jewelery, The
European Sleep Leader by Maison de la Literie, Med Tech Services and
Mya Handmade Cigars.
The benefit
and black-tie gala featured a luxury car collection and cigar bar
emporium followed by dinner and dancing to the 13-piece Marcia
Mitchell Band.
“The
Institute is incredibly thankful to our colleagues, former patients
and donors who have generously given their invaluable time and
financial support towards advancements in Orthopaedic research,”
stated Dr. W. Andrew Hodge founder and chief medical officer of
BioMotion's Institute for Mobility and Longevity.
Among
those enjoying the evening were: legendary fifties pop singer Connie
Francis, Tony Ferretti, Donald Trump, Gary and Sandy Carter, Alla
Kournikova, Gertrude Maxwell, retired General Alexander Haig and
wife Patricia, Suzi Goldsmith, Nasser Kazeminy, Dr. Harry and Karen
Orf, Lois Frankel, Peter and Jane Elebash, Raemali King, Donna Long,
George Cloutier, Tiffany Spadafora, Mathieu Rosinsky, James and
Johanna Redmer, Joyce McLendon, Admiral Philip Whitacre, Hayden
Hosford, Dr. Donald and Bebe Warren, Jonathan Satter, Patty Myura,
Jon and Moira Fiore, Joseph and Mary Ierardi and Robert and Eva
Forsyth.
Funds
raised from this gala evening will benefit the Pediatric Gait
Analysis for children with Cerebral Palsy, The Samaritan Fund for
those without the means for orthopaedic care and the BioMotion
Orthopaedic Research Lab situated in the West Palm Beach based Good
Samaritan Medical Center.
Established in Boston in 1987 by
Dr. W. Andrew Hodge, BioMotion's Institute for Mobility and
Longevity's (IML) mission is to improve mobility and quality of life
through orthopaedic research, education and clinical excellence for
individuals of all ages. The
IML moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1992 when an agreement was
made with Good Samaritan Medical Center to develop and operate the
new, comprehensive, orthopaedic research laboratory for the benefit
of area surgeons, therapists and the local community. The
laboratory's goal was to provide staff orthopaedists and allied
health professionals access to state-of-the-art equipment and a
skilled technical staff to pursue research of the human
musculoskeletal system and related medical issues important to the
Palm Beach community.
In
operation since mid-1992, the IML Orthopaedic Research Lab has
established worldwide recognition for outstanding contributions in
the areas of joint replacement, human motion analysis and sports
biomechanics/injury prevention, and computer assisted surgery. The
laboratory has enhanced its capacity for Pediatric Gait Analysis, a
clinical service providing advanced biomechanical assessments and
pre-surgical planning for children with severe musculoskeletal
disorders. With community support, The IML hopes to increase the
availability of this life changing analysis to children of need.
Also, over the last two years, the Foundation has invested in
neuroscience research with studies addressing spinal disability.
The IML
is a 501(c) (3) not for profit research and education organization.
With an emphasis on helping to create a world where longevity and
mobility are improved by all. Funding for research and services is
provided by individual donors, educational grants, program grants,
corporate sponsored research and foundation research grants.
Those
interested in more information on the BioMotion's Institute for
Mobility and Longevity or to make a tax-deductible contribution
please contact The IML offices located in the Good Samaritan Medical
Center, 1309 North Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach at (561) 650-6104
or log on to the website at
www.theIML.org