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The Muscular Dystrophy Association Celebrates 22 Years Of Annual New York Muscle Team Gala

Landmark Event to Feature Exclusive, One-On-One, Fireside Chat with Derek Jeter

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association's (MDA) New York Muscle Team will host its 22nd annual Gala on Monday, December 3, 2018 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Cipriani Wall Street (55 Wall Street, New York, NY). This year's theme is "Dream Big" and includes the legendary Derek Jeter. Tickets are available now at http://bit.ly/MuscleTeamTix.

The MDA New York Muscle Team Gala® is a high-profile dinner where professional athletes and celebrities team up with real estate executives and MDA families to put their muscle behind the search to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, and related life-threatening neuromuscular diseases including ALS that limit strength and mobility. Since being established in 1996, this event in particular has raised over $20 million for scientific and clinical research, for treatments and care for MDA families and care centers and summer camps for kids affected by these diseases.

This year's MVP Is Derek Jeter, five-time World Series champion, CEO and part owner of the Miami Marlins and founder of the Turn 2 Foundation.  "The dedication of the MDA team to their mission and to the families they serve is impressive," said Jeter. "This organization is making a real difference, and I'm looking forward to celebrating that at the Gala." Jeter will be featured in an exclusive one-on-one fireside chat with MDA New York Muscle Team committee member and legendary sportscaster Russ Salzberg.

The 2018 Muscle Team Coach is Paul Darrah, director of real estate at Google, where he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of real estate strategy, design and development in New York.

This year's MDA Muscle Team Gala® will recognize several honorees including:

• The Hamad family of Staten Island, New York, will receive the Russ Salzberg Champion of Hope Award. The Hamad's have lost three sons, Mahmoud, Kareem and Ahmed to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). To help other families, the Hamad's have continued their pursuit of raising awareness and money to find a cure.
• Richard C. Heller, president of Titanium Scaffold Services, LLC will receive the Jerry Lewis Champion of Spirit Award.

"The Muscle Team Committee has provided an indefatigable commitment to raising funds for MDA's mission over the past 22 years," said Lynn O'Connor Vos, MDA president and chief executive officer. "This event galvanizes the New York City real estate community and generates funds for our 150 care centers, our signature national Summer Camp program, as well as additional family programs, and most importantly the efforts put against finding treatments and cures. We are extremely proud of all of our honorees and greatly appreciate their support in helping us raise awareness in so many ways."

MDA Metro New York Muscle Team is led by an impressive group of dedicated real estate leaders and executives: James Halpin, Platinum Maintenance; Philip Bottega, Societe General; Ted Moudis, Ted Moudis Associates; Edward Piccinich, SL Green; Russ Salzberg, legendary New York sportscaster; Anthony Cammarata, Goldman Sachs; Michael Neary, Structure Tone Inc.

About MDA

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is committed to transforming the lives of people affected by muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases. We do this through innovations in science and innovations in care. As the largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease research outside of the federal government, MDA has committed more than $1 billion since our inception to accelerate the discovery of therapies and cures. Research we have supported is directly linked to approved, life-changing therapies across multiple neuromuscular diseases. We support the largest network of multidisciplinary clinics providing best in class care at more than 150 of the nation's top medical institutions, and each year thousands of children and young adults learn vital life skills and gain independence at summer camp and through recreational programs, at no cost to families. For more information visit mda.org

About Derek Jeter

By the time he stepped away from baseball in 2014 after a historic 20-year career, Derek Jeter had established himself as one of the most respected men to ever have played the game. With a reputation as an unmatched leader both on and off the field, Jeter has quickly transitioned into a second career leading a variety of successful business ventures and entrepreneurial investments. Most recently, he became part owner of MLB's Miami Marlins, for whom he also now serves as CEO, overseeing the day-to-day for both the business and the baseball operations for the team. He is the first African-American to serve in this role for any major league team in the history of the sport. Along with his sister, Sharlee, Jeter continues to be the driving force behind the Turn 2 Foundation, which he established in 1996 to give back to the communities with which he has a close connection, including West Michigan, Tampa and New York City. He satisfies his passion for inspiring young people through initiatives — like the Jeter's Leaders program — that promote academic excellence, leadership development, positive behavior, healthy choices and social change.

For more information regarding sponsorship packages and tickets, please contact Samantha Tursi, director of Distinguished Events, Metro New York, at 212.682.5272, stursi@mdausa.org, or visit www.nymuscleteam.org.