|
HOCKEY HALL OF FAMER
ROD GILBERT
TO BE HONORED AT
THE NATIONAL MENINGITIS ASSOCIATION’S
“GIVE KIDS A SHOT!” GALA CELEBRATION
at ESPACE
635 West 42nd Street
MONDAY, MAY 8, 2017
New York: Hall of
Fame Hockey Player and NY Ranger Legend Rod
Gilbert will
be celebrated by the National
Meningitis Association with
the Nancy Ford
Springer Award at
its Ninth Annual “Give Kids a Shot!” Gala. This
year’s benefit
will take place at ESPACE (635
West 42nd Street) on Monday,
May 8, 2017 at 6:30pm.
Ambassador and
Mrs. John L.
Loeb, Jr. are Honorary Chairs and this year’s event chairs
are Lenore
Cooney, Sara Herbert-Galloway, Errol Rappaport, and Gary
Springer.
The Nancy
Ford Springer Award was
created to honor the memory of Nancy Ford Springer, a
founder of NMA. Nancy was tireless in her efforts to develop
NMA, educate the public and policy makers, and help
countless individuals and families affected by the disease.
This award is given to individuals whose commitment to
supporting NMA’s mission reflects Nancy’s dedication and
spirit.
Past recipients of
this award include: Melanie
Benn, John Kach, and Nick Springer (2009), Adam
Graves (2010), Richard
Thomas (2011), Sara
Herbert-Galloway & Barry J. Klarberg (2012) Senator
Jack Hart (2013), Errol
Rappaport (2014), Kevin
Carroll, MC, CP, FAAOP (2015)
and Deion
Branch (2016).
His professional
athletic accomplishments and outstanding civic involvement
have earned Rod
Gilbert, the
title “Mr. New York Hockey.” This blue-shirt Hall of Famer
is the all-time leading scorer of the New York Rangers,
holding virtually all of the team’s scoring records. The
speedy right wing with a rocket shot was also an eight-time
All-Star. In 1976 he received the Masterton Trophy, which is
awarded annually to the player “who best exemplifies the
quality of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to
hockey.” In 1991, he was awarded the prestigious Lester
Patrick Trophy for his outstanding contributions to hockey
in the US.
Perhaps the hockey
award that is most indicative of Rod’s affable character is
the one he won five times in his career, the Frank Boucher
Trophy. It is presented annually by the Rangers Fan Club to
“the most popular player on and off the ice.”
Recently, Rod’s
charitable contributions have garnered praise that rivals
his athletic accolades. He has received two of the city’s
highest honors - the Bronze Medallion of the City of New
York and the Key to the City of New York.
When Rod hung up his
skates, the Rangers wasted little time making him the first
player in team history to have his number retired. In an
emotional night at the Madison Square Garden, Gilbert’s
number 7 was raised to the Garden rafters. Soon after, he
was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, the greatest honor
of them all.
“I was
introduced to NMA through Nick and Gary Springer when the
organization first began. Nick is a meningitis survivor and
an inspiration. The work NMA does to is truly awe-inspiring.
Because of their work, more and more people are aware of
meningitis, its symptoms as well as available immunizations.
In simpler terms the work they do saves lives. I am honored
to be this year’s recipient of the Nancy Ford Springer
Award.”
NMA Honoree
and Hockey Hall of Famer Rod Gilbert.
“Nancy
was a true hero, not only for our family but for many
families dealing with meningitis. Her dedication and
persistence to spreading the word about meningitis helped
pass laws and offer families hope. Rod has been a
long-time friend and was there when our son Nick contracted
the disease. He has seen its effects as well as all the good
that has come from the NMA and has supported the
organization from the very beginning. We are proud to
recognize Rod with this year’s Nancy Ford Springer Award.”
NMA Gala Chair, Gary Springer
“Rod has been a
generous and dedicated supporter and friend of NMA since we
began; he personifies what the Nancy Ford Springer Award
embodies, and I am thrilled that we will be able to
celebrate this amazing man on May 8th.”
NMA President, Lynn Bozof
The National
Meningitis Association (NMA) works
to protect families from the devastating effects of
meningococcal disease by educating the public, medical
professionals and others about the disease and vaccines
available to prevent it. NMA was formed in 2002 by parents
whose children died or live with permanent disabilities from
meningococcal disease. Like many families, NMA’s founders
were unaware that meningococcal disease vaccination could
have prevented their anguish.
Since NMA was
founded, great strides have been made in meningitis
prevention. NMA has supported the creation of broad
recommendations for meningococcal vaccines to protect all
preteens and teens, worked to advocate for state vaccination
requirements and helped increase awareness and vaccine
uptake. The organization also provides emotional support for
individuals and families who have experienced meningococcal
disease. To accomplish its goals, NMA develops programs and
resources that reach audiences on national and grassroots
levels. Parents, disease survivors and other family members
help carry out NMA’s mission by conducting community
awareness activities across the country through two key
programs: Moms on Meningitis (M.O.M.s) and Together
Educating About Meningitis (T.E.A.M.).
|