The Challenged Athletes Foundation’s 2014 Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope gala was a huge success. Thanks to the generosity of their sponsors, guests and incredible honoree William Ackman, they raised a record-breaking $2.3 MILLION this year!On Wednesday evening June 11, Brooke Artesi, CPO, LPO, founder and owner of Sunshine Prosthetics and Orthotics in Wayne, NJ attended the Gala in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, filled with 850 supporters to celebrate challenged athletes who grow STRONGER through sports. The event was filled with touching moments of strength and love, tales of remarkable athletic prowess and uplifting examples of how a dedicated community changes lives.
“You never know how strong you are until strong is all you CAN be.”
Celeste Corcoran, who lost both legs at the Boston Marathon attack, once again took the gala stage and remind us that there will always be difficult days, but when you have strong support systems, like CAF and Celeste’s dedicated family, you will find the strength to pull yourself up again and again.
“Standing on the podium I realized, this win isn’t just about me, its about the community of people that makes us all stronger.”
Navy Lt. Brad Snyder remembers the emotion when his coach yelled that he won gold the 400 meter freestyle at the Paralympics. But it wasn’t just the achievement that brought Brad joy. Having lost his sight to an IED in Afghanistan on the same day one year earlier, Brad realized this medal was a testament to his entire community of support.
Funds raised at A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope help challenged athletes overcome the financial obstacles that often keep them on the sidelines. The event allows CAF to provide grants for sports prosthetics and adaptive sports equipment typically not covered by medical insurance and provides funding for training, coaching, mentoring and competition expenses to allow challenged athletes to not only get involved – but stay involved in sports. This is Brooke Artesi’s personal mantra and goal for all of her patients – stay active.
We thank the Challenged Athletes Foundation for their inspiration to all people with physical challenges and their support of their athletic endeavors by providing unparalleled sports opportunities that lead to success in sports — and in life.
For more information on the Challenged Athletes Foundation, visit their website at http://www.challengedathletes.org/
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