Christopher Reeve Foundation's Magical Evening 2005

Last Thursday on the cusp of the holiday season, the Christopher Reeve Foundation (CRF) hosted its Magical Evening fundraiser at the Times Square Marriott Marquis. The award ceremony and dinner honored those who devote their support and talents through financial contributions and groundbreaking research. Academy Award®-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and her husband Academy Award®-winning producer Michael Douglas received this year's Spirit of Courage Award for their unwavering commitment. Sheila C. Johnson, Salamander Hospitality Chairman and longtime child advocate received a Visionary Award. Emmy® Award-winner Robert Halmi, Jr. was also presented with a Visionary Award. Dr. Carl Cotman and Dr. Geoffrey Raisman were this year's Reeve-Irvine Research Medal Honorees. And while there was magic in the air, the prevalent mood was all heart. October 10, 2005 marked the first anniversary of Christopher Reeve's death, but it was evident at last week's gala that his spirit, message, and cause live on'

Did you know that 247,000 Americans are spinal cord injured? Or that the average first year expenses for a spinal cord injury total $420,055? CRF is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy. This past summer, CRF launched the Christopher Reeve Foundation Superman dog tags inscribed with the Superman "S" shield on one side and the "Go Forward" slogan on the other. The commemorative nickel-plated chip has already helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for spinal cord injury research. According to the press kit, "The research progress in recent years has been outstanding. Awareness and perception of spinal cord injuries has shifted dramatically, both in the scientific community as well as in the general public."

The roots of CRF began in the early 1980's when several small family foundations from around the country joined to create the American Paralysis Association. These pioneers refused to accept the prevailing notion that once damaged, the spinal cord could never be repaired. The founders of the American Paralysis Association had a belief that researchers and neuroscientists working together, would find a way to connect and regenerate the damaged nerves and cells that result in paralysis. "Today, through CRF's persistence and promise, neuroscientists around the world agree that repairing the damaged spinal cord is not a question of if, but when?" 

 

Christopher Reeve turned his celebrity into a legacy. CEO and President Kathy Lewis wrote in the Foundation's Walking Tomorrow newsletter, "He never lost the capacity to smile, laugh, inspire, and motivate. His memory will serve as inspiration for the work of the Foundation and we continue in his honor to be steadfast in our goal of finding treatments and cures for paralysis." Mr. Reeve was no doubt smiling down on the 6th floor banquet hall last week at all those who came together for one common goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the first year since Mr. Reeve's passing, his namesake foundation has made great strides with initiatives supporting minority communities, women paralyzed as a result of domestic violence, and providing aid and assistance to immobilized Hurricane Katrina victims. The Foundation has also translated its Paralysis Resource Guide into Spanish and has provided a network that can respond to questions and requests in more than 50 languages. With approximately 11,000 new injuries occurring each year, Mr. Reeve sought to "ignite the American public and our leaders into action." On October 7, 2004 the House of Representatives passed the Research Review Act 418-0, by a unanimous vote. On November 16, 2004 the Senate [also] passed the bill unanimously. And on November 30 2004, President George W. Bush signed Public Law No. 108-427 the Research Review Act. It's the first piece of legislation passed in the history of our nation that directly addresses spinal cord injury and paralysis research. Judging from the letters inserted in the event program, from Senators Frank Lautenberg, Jon Corzine, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and former President Bill Clinton, political support remains constant.

Diane Sawyer presented Sheila C. Johnson with the evening's first honor, the Visionary Leader Award. Salamander Hospitality CEO Sheila C. Johnson is an advocate for the protection of children. Ms. Johnson has spoken around the world on behalf of the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. Her primary concerns are to make opportunities available for children and young adults to express their creativity through the arts and to ensure that the world is a safe place for children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenn Close, last year's Human Spirit Honoree, presented producer Robert Halmi, Jr. with the second Visionary Leader Award. Chairman and CEO of Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc. Robert Halmi, Jr. is no stranger to awards. His productions have received 431 Emmy® nominations, 103 Emmy® Awards, and 130 Golden Globes®. Hallmark prides itself on building a library of 4,000 hours of family entertainment programming, including the successful miniseries event, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven."

Dana Reeve presented the evening's Spirit of Courage Award to Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas. In a statement released earlier that day, Mrs. Reeve said that, "Over the years, they have been tremendous supporters of the Foundation and to Chris and me personally. Chris always felt a particular connection, since the three of them share the same birthday-September 25. I'm so honored they've agreed to join us and accept this award." The always stunning and elegant couple seemed understandably humbled in what I imagine was a bittersweet moment, honored to receive the award, but saddened by the loss of their dear friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1996 the Reeve-Irvine Research Center and Joan Irvine Smith established an annual award for research in spinal cord injury. According to the Foundation's website, the Reeve-Irvine Research Medal recognizes an individual or individuals who have made highly meritorious scientific contributions in the area of spinal cord repair and whose research has stood the test of time and scrutiny. This year's recipients, Carl W. Cotman. PhD and Dr. Geoffrey Raisman, FRS each received a $500,000 cash award.

It was a star-studded evening with remarks and introductions given by Robin Williams, Uma Thurman, and Meryl Streep. Mike Nichols, Joan Collins, Lara Spencer, Star Jones, and Miss USA Chelsea Clooney also lent their support. During his salute, Paul Newman made a surprise donation of $100,000; we would expect nothing less from the compassionate philanthropist. But with all that wattage, one person shone brighter than all the rest. In what was unequivocally, the most moving moment of the evening, CEO and President Kathy Lewis introduced suburban-Chicago resident Molly Farrell. The young lady who was paralyzed in a diving accident several years ago had been told that she would never walk again. Christopher Reeve often said, "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." These words certainly rang true as the teenager not only stood up from her wheelchair, but made her way across the stage and brought the crowd to their feet with a standing ovation.

On the morning following the successful fundraiser, CRF Chairperson Dana Reeve announced, "I'm thrilled we raised $2 million for the Christopher Reeve Foundation last night. I'm so honored my friends were there with me to make it a truly magical evening." Christopher Reeve has been described as valiant, passionate, heroic, and iconic. He was "a man who moved the world without moving a muscle," in the words of Kathy Lewis, "he leaves us a legacy of hope, proving that one person can make a world of difference."

For more information on the Christopher Reeve Foundation, please visit www.christopherreeve.org

Images courtesy of the Christopher Reeve Foundation, Sugino Studios, and WireImage. www.wireimage.com Photo credits: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Ray Fong, Theo Wargo, and Dimitrios Kambouris