2001 A Magical Evening Most Successful Fundraising Benefit in History of Christopher Reeve Paralysis

Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
Tuesday, 13 November 2001

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) today announced that A Magical Evening, its annual black tie gala held at the Waldorf=Astoria on November 13, raised more than $3.5 million, the highest amount ever raised by CRPF in one evening. Hosted by Academy Award winning actress Helen Hunt, Gala Chair Mark A. Belnick, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Counsel of Tyco International, Ltd. and Dinner Chairs Francine LeFrak and Rick Friedberg, the event attracted celebrities Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, Richard Belzer, Denise Rich, Robert Kennedy, Jr. and David Blaine.

The theme for the Gala, Discover the Magic, was especially fitting as it represents the progress scientists are now making in understanding and treating damaged spinal cords – when only a few years ago these discoveries were considered impossible.

Industry pioneer, L. Dennis Kozlowski, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tyco International Ltd., was honored at A Magical Evening for his incredible generosity and support, which have strengthened CRPF's ability to fund the most promising research.

Mary B. Bunge, Ph.D. of the University of Miami School of Medicine and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis received the Christopher Reeve Research Medal for Spinal Cord Repair. The medal is awarded annually by the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at the University of California Irvine College of Medicine to individuals who have made recent critical contributions to promoting repair of the damaged spinal cord and recovery of function. The $50,000 cash prize recognizes scientific excellence and achievement and is intended to stimulate interest and research in nerve regenerations and the development of rational therapies for spinal cord injury.

The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF), a national non-profit organization, encourages and supports research to develop effective treatments and cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. CRPF also provides Quality of Life grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people with paralysis-related disabilities. Total research program expenditures for 2001 will exceed $8.2 million, representing the highest annual research investment in foundation history.

For more information, or to contact Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, see their website at: www.christopherreeve.org