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| [June 08, 2012] |
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CNN Fit Nation Athlete Denise Castelli to Attend New York Area Amputee Running Clinic and Heroes, Heart and Hope Gala to Benefit Challenged Athletes
SAN DIEGO --(Business Wire)--
Denise Castelli, a below-knee amputee, and one of seven CNN Fit Nation
Triathlon Challenge participants, will join fellow challenged athletes
for the CAF �ssur 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 �ssur
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 �ssur®
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, gaa 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:
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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.
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NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles who, despite being born
with one leg, managed to defy the odds and change perceptions.
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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:
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Silent and live auctions featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences
including a coveted entry to the Ironman World Championships in
Kona, Hawaii.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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