A collection of key Palm Beach philanthropists representing all aspects of the '08/'09 charity season will team up for BioMotion's Institute for Mobility and Longevity's upcoming gala effort to benefit children and adults affected by bone and joint disorders.  In conjunction with the ADT Championship the black-tie affair will take place on the eve of the LPGA Season Finalé, November 22nd at the Mar-a-Lago Club, Palm Beach. Called “A Celebration of Motion”, the second annual, black-tie event will feature a live auction, cocktail reception and gala dinner dance attended by a roster of prominent LPGA sports figures.

            Venerable Palm Beach charity hostess Gale S. Brophy will serve as Gala Chairman.   Honorary Chairmen for the gala is Julie and Amin J. Khoury and Gala Co-Chairwomen are Ali Rowe Nelson and Margarita Abrishami.  Dawn Fennessy and Sara Haryman will serve as Junior Chairwomen.

            Gala host committee members who have joined forces to support the benefit planned for the organization include 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 will pitch in support of the gala evening and serve as the event's emcee. 

            Grand benefactors for the gala benefit are Florence and Lawrence De George and Fryda and George Lindemann.  International Society of Palm Beach President Herme' de Wyman Miro is the Grand Patron.

            The benefit and black-tie gala will feature a luxury car collection and cigar bar emporium followed by dinner and dancing to the 13-piece Marcia Mitchell Band.   “We are most grateful to all of these wonderful friends, former patients and donors who will lend their invaluable time and talent in support of our cause,” stated Dr. W. Andrew Hodge founder and chief medical officer of  BioMotion's Institute for Mobility and Longevity.

 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 i
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.