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2007 "Advocate Leadership" Honorees, Dr.
Eleanor M. Perfetto
and Sylvia Mackey with Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and Chief
Executive Officer of The Alzheimer's Association, New York
City Chapter. Photo by: Joyce Brooks - Black Tie International |
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New York City - May 31, 2007. The Alzheimer's Association, New
York City Chapter hosted its annual "Forget-Me-Not" gala at
The Pierre Hotel where more than 500 members of New York's
philanthropic, business, civic and health care communities
gathered to honor the NFL, the NFL Players Association and two
courageous NFL wives for their collaboration in creating the
"88 Plan" - a unique financial protection initiative for
former players living with Alzheimer's and dementia.
Emceed by Dana Tyler, CBS 2 Anchor, the event raised more then
$1 million. The gala was chaired by Ben and Meredith Jenkins,
Tami Schneider, Chair of the "Women in Action" Committee
served as the auction chair. Among the evening's highlights
was a performance by Metropolitan Opera soprano Claudia White.
Sylvia Mackey, wife of Pro Football Hall of Fame player John
Mackey, and Dr. Eleanor Perfetto, wife of former NFL player
Ralph Wenzel, were honored with the Chapter's "Advocate
Leadership Award" for raising awareness about Alzheimer's
disease and other dementias.
Harold R. Henderson, NFL Executive Vice President for Labor
Relations and Chairman of the NFL Management Council Executive
Committee and Gene Upshaw, Executive Director of the NFL
Players Association, were honored with the Association's
"Community Leadership Award" for creating the "88 Plan" - the
most comprehensive financial protection program for dementia
sufferers anywhere in the nation.
"So many of us are here tonight because we have been
personally affected by Alzheimer's disease and want to join
the fight against it. Tonight we honor those who took that
fight a step further. Mrs. Mackey and Dr. Perfetto
courageously spoke out about their husbands dementia - and
just as importantly, the NFL and its Players Association
listened.
'The Alzheimer's Association, New York City Chapter has a
"Forget-Me-Not" gala each year to remind ourselves and the
community of the important programs and services that we will
need to take care of our community until treatment or a cure
for this
disease is found".
- Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO of The Alzheimer's
Association, New York City Chapter.
* Over 200,00 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's live in the
five boroughs of New York City. The mission of the Alzheimer's
Association, New York City Chapter is to create and promote
comprehensive and humane treatment for persons with
Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and to provide
support for their family and professional caregivers. The
Chapter meets this mission in the community through increasing
the public awareness, providing education, creating and
encouraging replication of model programs, collaborating with
research centers, and undertaking advocacy. |