The Sixth Annual Journey of Hope Gala presented by the Brain Injury Association of New York State

NEW YORK - Sept. 16, 2013 - PRLog -- The Brain Injury Association of New York State is happy to announce that this year’s Journey of Hope Gala will take place at SLATE located at 54 West 21^st Street in New York City on Tuesday, October 8, 2013.  The evening will feature cocktails, live entertainment and a silent and live auction!  The Gala will benefit the Brain Injury Association of New York State, the premier support and advocacy organization for New Yorkers with brain injury and their families.

Honorary Co-Chairs Penny Marshall and Lorraine Bracco, motivated by their own experiences supporting a friend with a brain injury, have generously committed their time and energy to support the Gala and the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS). Tom Llamas,Anchor/Reporter, NBC4 New York, will serve as the Master of Ceremoniesfor the evening.   Rosemarie diSalvo and Bradley Von Nostrand are the Gala Co-Chairs.

This year, Barry Jordan, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Medical Director, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital & Medical Director Burke's Brain Injury Rehabilitation will receive the Champion of Hope Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication to the care of and support for individuals with brain injury and their families.  Marie Cavallo, Ph.D., Associate Chief Compliance Officer at AHRC NYC and Past President of the Brain Injury Association of New York State will receive the Leadership Award. John Quinan, Journalist and TBI - Survivor, and Marion S. Hedges will each receive the Victory Award.

The evening will feature delicious food and drink, music by DJ Spindetta, a performance by Jerry Gretzinger and the chance to take home some great prizes in the silent and live auctions.  The evening will begin at 6:30pm with cocktails, passed hors d'oeuvres, the silent auction and raffle.  Guests will also have the chance to play against professional pool player Jennifer Barretta.  The program and awards ceremony will begin promptly at 7:30pm followed by the live auction.  Tickets begin at $300 each.

Every 18.5 seconds, another person sustains a brain injury making brain injury a major public health challenge and a silent epidemic that can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone.  Since 1982, the Brain Injury Association of New York State has provided education, advocacy, and community support services that lead to improved quality of life for children and adults with brain injuries and their families.  Through outreach, support, advocacy, and education, the Association improves the quality of life for individuals with brain injury and their families. At the same time, because the best cure for brain injury is prevention, the Association educates the public about brain injury prevention.  Working with chapters and support groups, volunteer Board of Directors, members, and staff, BIANYS is ready to help solve a problem, make a connection, access a service, or just talk. All of these supports are provided free-of-charge.

For further information on the Gala, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contactMitchell Manning Associates at (212) 980-1711, journeyofhopegala@mitchellmanning.com, or fax to (212) 980-1615. More about the Brain Injury Association of New York State is available at www.bianys.org.