#04-114
May 5, 2004

Businesses back Rosalynn Carter Institute Gala Celebration of Caregivers June 15

AMERICUS, Ga.--Nearly two-dozen businesses and other groups have signed on to support the Rosalynn Carter Institute's (RCI) first-ever Gala Celebration of Caregivers at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, in Atlanta's Symphony Hall. The Gala will be headlined by Clay Aiken, Triple Platinum RCA recording artist. Danica Tisdale, Miss Atlanta, will also perform. 

"It will be a tribute to America's unsung heroes of caregiving and an entertaining evening of comedy, music, song, and celebrities with special wishes and dreams for the young, elderly, and disabled," said Ronda C. Talley, Ph.D., executive director of the Institute. "We especially thank the leaders in the business community who have stepped up to support this very special evening and the programs of the Institute." 

Mariner Health Care and HCR-Manor Care have been major event sponsors and serve on the gala planning committee. Other businesses and groups backing the Gala include: the American Hospital Association, Tyco Healthcare, VeriCare, AANAC, Clinical Compliance Concepts, Inc., Links Medical Products, Abbott Laboratories, J.B. Fuqua, HealthMedx, HealthPointe, KCI, UHS-Pruitt, The Atlanta Regional Health Forum, Smith & Nephew, Inc., Sunrise Medical, Four Seasons Hotel, and Eric Richards Photography. 

Actor Paul Newman and singer Alan Jackson are also supporting the event. 

A new award for professional caregivers, the RCI Caring and Competent Caregiver Award, will be inaugurated at the Gala and given to four individuals who represent professional caregivers who are not typically recognized for their heroic efforts, Talley said. "Mariner Health Care, as the corporate sponsor for the award, has demonstrated uncommon dedication from the business community to support the work of professional caregivers and the Rosalynn Carter Institute." 

Neil Shulman, M.D., the "real Doc Hollywood," will co-host the event with WSB-TV anchor Monica Kaufman presiding over the award ceremony. "It's an honor and a delight to participate in the launch of a national event which demonstrates that Americans honor the virtue of compassion. The RCI Gala Celebration of Caregivers provides recognition of the beauty from within," Shulman said. 

Gala tickets are available at $100 per person. Professional caregivers who serve in one of the four award categories (licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and nurses' aides/patient care technicians) may obtain tickets for $25. Tickets are available through the Woodruff Arts Center box office at (404) 733-5000 or www.woodruffcenter.org/wac/tickets 02.html. 

Donations are being sought for a Silent Auction that will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., immediately prior to the Gala. Talley said that the theme of the silent auction is "The Stars of Georgia." Both Newman and Jackson have contributed items for the silent auction. 

In addition, the Rosalynn Carter Institute is accepting donations by those who wish to honor a professional or family caregiver who has touched their lives or the lives of a loved one in a special way. Any caregiver so honored will receive a letter of acknowledgement and thanks from the RCI and will be recognized in the Gala program. 

The Rosalynn Carter Institute was formed in honor of First Lady Rosalynn Carter in 1987, and is based at her alma mater, Georgia Southwestern State University. The Institute also has an office in Washington, D.C. Through research, education and training, the RCI promotes the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, and professional caregivers; encourages effective caregiving practices; builds public awareness of caregiving needs; and advances public and social policies that enhance caring communities.

REPORTERS/EDITORS: 

For more information on the Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) or its programs, call (229) 928-1234 or go online: www.RosalynnCarter.org.

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