Brain Injury Association Is Hosting Second Annual Journey of Hope Gala

NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Honorary Chairs Lorraine Bracco
and Penny Marshall, along with The Brain Injury Association of New York State
(BIANYS) are hosting the Second Annual Journey of Hope Gala on 10/28/09 at the
Hard Rock Cafe in NYC.

Bill Evans of WABC News is the Master of Ceremonies for the evening honoring
Bob Woodruff of ABC News and Trisha Meili, "the Central Park Jogger," with the
"Victory Award." D. Thomas Ruttura and Peter Ruttura of Ruttura & Sons
Construction will receive the "Corporate Citizens of the Year" for
philanthropy along with Rehabilitation Neuropsychologist Deborah M. Benson
receiving the "Champion of Hope Award."

BIANYS provides services and advocacy for individuals with brain injury and
their families, including military veterans (1 in 5 soldiers in Iraq and
Afghanistan sustain a TBI). BIANYS advocates for prevention and public
awareness. Proceeds from the Gala will provide financial support to BIANYS.

Both Woodruff and Meili represent true survival stories and will speak to
living with brain injury. Woodruff survived a massive brain trauma when a
vehicle in which he was riding hit a roadside bomb while on assignment in
Iraq. Many know Meili as the jogger who survived a devastating attack in
Central Park 20 years ago.

About two million brain injuries of all types occur each year in the U.S.
impacting individual and family lives. Dinner committee member Joanne Miller
said, "When my son was injured, our family was devastated. BIANYS reached out
to our family with information and support." Miller's son was severely
injured in a construction accident while working at the World Trade Center
site in 2007.

Bracco and Marshall began supporting BIANYS two years ago when a close friend
sustained a brain injury. Bracco and Marshall met Miller at Mount Sinai
Medical Center where all pledged to support BIANYS. The Journey of Hope Gala
was born out of this pledge. Bracco and Marshall donated and stocked the
first auction with celebrity memorabilia. This year attendees are looking
forward to seeing Bracco reprise her role as auctioneer at the organization's
first red carpet affair in Manhattan. Marshall and other celebrity friends
including Ron Perlman will also be attending the gala and contributing their
talents to this worthy cause.

Contacts:
www.bianys.org
Tracey Gittere/Legendary Events
516-222-0550x127
TGittere@LegendaryEvents.net
Press: Amy Sigona 201-280-2214
Ajsigona2004@yahoo.com
NOTE: Credentialed Press must RSVP to attend

SOURCE Brain Injury Association of New York State

Amy Sigona of BIANYS, +1-201-280-2214