Challenged Athletes Foundation Raises a Record Breaking $2.85 Million and Still Counting at the 10th Anniversary Annual Gala in New York City

Over 1,000 Athletes, Celebrities, Supporters Attend June 8 Event to
Celebrate ‘A Decade of Difference’

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–During an evening of celebrating ‘A Decade of Difference’ through
empowering human spirit, achievement and dedication, over 1,000
attendees gathered at the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s® (CAF) 10th
anniversary of A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope Gala. The
event raised a record breaking $2.85 million and still counting as the
donations and support keep coming in from the New York community, to
support fitness and athletic endeavors for people with physical
challenges around the world.

CAF, the global leader in helping people with physical challenges live
active lifestyles – holds this signature celebration each year at the
Waldorf Astoria New York to raise funds for its Access for Athletes
Grant Program. This program provides grants for adaptive sports
equipment, travel and training expenses to challenged athletes around
the world. Funds raised at the gala also support the organization’s
mentorship programs and annual free sports clinics.

More than 50 challenged athletes attended the celebration. The Today
Show’s Willie Geist and Dylan Dreyer were the evening’s co-hosts,
celebrating the trailblazers who’ve made a difference for a community,
while guiding attendees through uplifting stories of athletic spirit,
spectacular entertainment and a live auction. Auction winners will be
heading to the IRONMAN® World Championship taking place in
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i, on October 8th to compete against triathlon’s best
of the best, and the exclusive Dave Scott Triathlon Experience at the
Four Seasons Resort Haulalai in Hawaii.

The evening featured incredible moments, including an exciting live WCMX
(wheelchair motocross) and skate demonstration by industry
legend Christiaan “Otter” Bailey and his mentee nine-year-old Kumaka
Jensen – showcasing the amazing impact this type of special relationship
can have for a young challenged athlete.

The evening’s honoree, founder and chairman of the gala and CAF Board
Member Scott Stackman, remarked:

“The transformational power of physical activity and sports should be
accessible to everyone. No grants to individuals with physical
challenges should go unfunded. It’s thanks to our dedicated supporters
who stand beside the Challenged Athletes Foundation in this premise that
allow us to make this a reality,” said Stackman, Managing Director of
UBS Private Wealth Management. “We gather to celebrate a decade of
difference displayed by the achievements of challenged athletes all over
the world, but we also know there are people who still need our support
to realize their athletic goals. The $2.85 million raised and still
counting as the donations and support keep coming in from the New York
community, will help the Challenged Athletes Foundation increase the
number of athletes and their families who can benefit from our programs
and support.”

Through the Challenged Athletes Foundation’s 2016 Access for Athletes
Grant Program, funded in part through the gala, a record 2,098 grants
were distributed around the world in April 2016, representing a
collective value of more than $3.7 million.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation would like to thank the 2016 A
Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope
gala sponsors who contributed
to the evening’s success: Julie & Martin Franklin, ROTH
Capital Partners, Emily & Scott Stackman, Gary Sumers,
Amandine & Stephen Freidheim, Charlotte & Gary Gilbert,
Gilbert Films, Harbinger Capital Partners, Lisa &
James Lillie, The Maguire Foundation & Lisa & Jamie Maguire,
Miami Marlins, L.P. and Cindi & David Samson, Gail
Stackman, Third Point LLC, UBS Financial Services, Jeffrey
A. Altman Foundation, Diana & Joe DiMenna, Fisher
Brothers Foundation, IRONMAN®, Lyrical Asset Management,
Mr. & Mrs. Frank H. McCourt, Jr. & McCourt Global, Alessandra
& Alan Mnuchin, Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P., Mara
& Ricky Sandler, and Spring Hill Capital Partners, LLC.

To view a photo gallery from the event, click
here
.

Watch a video from the event: https://youtu.be/pvCMfZPn3KQ

Visit www.challengedathletes.org
to learn more about unique fundraising and sponsorship opportunities.

About the Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in
helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy
lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any
level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances
quality of life.
Since 1994, more than $73 million has been
raised and over 13,000 funding requests from people with physical
challenges 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 opportunities and
support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles To
learn more, visit
challengedathletes.org
or call 858-866-0959.

Contacts

Challenged Athletes Foundation
Carlos Escaba, 858-210-3514
carlos@challengedathletes.org

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