Denise Castelli, a below-knee amputee, and one of seven CNN Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge participants, will join fellow challenged athletes for the CAF Össur Leg Amputee Running and Mobility Clinic. Held at James Braddock Park in North Bergen, New Jersey on Sunday, June 10, the clinic is part of a series of mobility and sports clinics sponsored by Össur and conducted by the Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF), a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved and stay involved in sports. Castelli lost her leg after suffering a devastating injury in a college softball game, and first learned to run on her prosthetic running leg at the 2010 CAF Össur® mobility clinic. She will return to the clinic as a mentor to other leg amputees, and to prepare for her upcoming debut triathlon with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and CNN's Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge.
The clinic kicks-off of a week of events leading up to CAF's 6th annual Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope gala at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City on June 13. More than 900 supporters will be in attendance including: event honoree Daniel S. Loeb, CEO of Third Point LLC, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Aviva Drescher – a below-knee amputee and new cast member of the Real Housewives of New York City, and many incredible challenged athletes and 2012 Paralympic hopefuls.
The 2011 Heroes, Heart and Hope gala raised more than $1.4 million to fulfill CAF's mission of providing opportunities and support to physically challenged individuals so they can overcome the economic roadblocks to participate in sports and live their dreams.
"CAF's A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope is unlike any other event in New York City," says Scott Stackman, gala committee chairman and CAF board member. "It gives people the opportunity to meet the athletes they are supporting and see how CAF is changing lives. We hope this year's Gala will result in a record amount of support for CAF's challenged athletes."
CAF founder Bob Babbitt and sportscaster Craig Hummer will host this evening of inspiration featuring the stories of heroic and triumphant challenged athletes.
Featured Challenged Athletes will include:
- Nine-year-old double amputee Haven Shepherd who was adopted and brought to the US after her parents in Vietnam committed a suicide bombing, leaving her an orphan and causing her to lose her legs as a result of the explosion.
- NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles who, despite being born with one leg, managed to defy the odds and change perceptions.
- US Army Major Daniel Gade, who didn't let an IED blast in Iraq extinguish his desire to remain on active duty. Major Gade now instructs the next generation of leaders at the United States Military Academy at West Point and is an accomplished endurance athlete and Ironman finisher.
Other Heroes, Heart and Hope highlights include:
- Silent and live auctions featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences including a coveted entry to the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
- The unveiling of CAF Spokesperson and amputee Ironman finisher Sarah Reinertsen's REFUEL | "got chocolate milk?" print ad, accompanied by a custom bar featuring signature chocolate milk martinis.
- As a Global Partner for Challenged Athletes Foundation®, the Dodge brand will showcase a Dodge Challenger onsite at the gala, to maintain the philosophy that challenged athletes continue to live their lives to the fullest.
- A private performance by Grammy-nominated Shiny Toy Guns.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.heroesheartandhope.com.
Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports. CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $40 million has been raised and almost 6,000 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF's outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it's a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF's mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.
Contacts:
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Katie Deinhammer
Director of
Marketing
Phone: 858.210.3511
katie@challengedathletes.org