The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Muscle Team NYC hosted its 2018 MDA Muscle Team Gala at Pier 60. MDA Muscle Team 2018 was led by this year’s Coaches, Gregg Popkin, President of RFR Realty LLC and Jonathan Andrew, Senior Director of Gardiner & Theobald.
Chief Executive Officer Dennis J. Meehan of The Meehan Consulting Group, Inc. was awarded the 2018 Champion of Spirit Award and Dr. Michio Hirano of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center received the Russ Salzberg Champion of Hope Award.
More than 700 guests attended this year’s gala in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s mission to raise funds and awareness for kids and adults living with muscular dystrophy and related lifethreatening diseases that limit strength and mobility.
The event raised over $1.2 million which will contribute to providing necessary life-enhancing programs and support services, including state-of-the-art multidisciplinary care at a nationwide network of more than 150 MDA Care Centers. Proceeds from the event will also assist in funding empowering programs including more than two weeks of summer camp for over 100 local children, opening opportunities for kids to rediscover themselves and their interests.
Special guests of the gala included Rashad Jennings and Devon Kennard of the New York Giants and Buster Skrine of the New York Jets. Elvis Duran from the Z100 Morning Show and Dr. Mehmet Oz were in attendance as well as retired athletes, coaches, and announcers including: Amani Toomer, Chris Canty, Hollis Thomas, Nolan Carroll, Tony Richardson and Willie Colon. Others include Muscle Team Alumni Kevin Boothe, Greg Murphy, Karl Nelson and John Nitti.
