Click on the link above to see the Celebrity Fight Night main page!
Hi, Jean Robb here. I was asked to do this story by Ron Valderrama.
Boxer, philanthropist, and social activist Muhammed Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali won the Golden Gloves Tournament in 1959 and an Olympic gold medal in 1960. During the 1960s Ali won all of his bouts with the majority of them by knockout. Since his retirement, Ali has devoted much of his time to philanthropy. At the age of 12, Ali discovered his talent for boxing through an odd twist of fate. His bike was stolen, and Ali told a police officer, Joe Martin, that he wanted to beat up the thief. "Well, you better learn how to fight before you start challenging people," Martin reportedly told him at the time. In addition to being a police officer, Martin also trained young boxers at a local gym. Ali started working with Martin to learn how to box, and soon began his boxing career. In his first amateur bout in 1954, he won the fight by split decision. Ali went on to win the 1956 Golden Gloves Championship for novices in the light heavyweight class. Three years later, he won the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions and the Amateur Athletic Union's national title for the light-heavyweight division. Approximately 17 years ago Celebrity Fight Night came to life through the vision of Jimmy Walker, who thought it would be possible to raise money for local charities through a celebrity charity event. The first event operated on a much smaller scale than today. With the help of Phoenix Suns Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle, who humorously fought in the ring with oversized boxing gloves, the first Celebrity Fight Night was a smash hit. The following year Kenny Rogers joined the event by performing a magical 40-minute concert that changed the dynamic of Celebrity Fight Night from a sports event to a celebrity-filled charity event with live musical entertainment by major marquee entertainers.
In its third year, Celebrity Fight Night took a big leap into the national spotlight when the most recognized man in the world, Muhammad Ali accepted an invitation to become the featured guest. The world learned about the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. After fifteen years of support, Celebrity Fight Night has become synonymous with the Champ's name.
Celebrity Fight Night is a star-studded evening presented in honor of featured guest, Muhammad Ali, who will be celebrating his 70th birthday in 2012. Celebrities and professional athletes from all over the U.S. unite for an action-packed night filled with incredible live auction items and musical performances by many of today’s brightest stars. Celebrating its 18th year, the Celebrity Fight Night gala is held to raise money for charities to benefit the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute as well as numerous other charities. Celebrity Fight Night is proud to announce Grammy Award-winning leading lady of country music Reba McEntire will return as the evening’s emcee for the seventh year. Grammy winner Lionel Richie is confirmed to perform, as well as Jackie Evancho, Miley Cyrus and Sinbad. There are many more performers to be announced soon. In addition, 16-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer, David Foster, will serve as Musical Director for his 13th year.~ Saturday, March 24, 2012 5 p.m.~ JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa ~ Individual tickets range from $2,000 - $5,000~ Call (602) 956-1121.
Recognized as one of the nation's elite charity events, Celebrity Fight Night is a star-studded evening presented in honor of our featured guest, Muhammad Ali. Celebrities and professional athletes from all over the country participate in a night filled with incredible live auction items and live musical performances by many of today's brightest stars. This power-packed night of excitement not only leaves our audience with unforgettable memories each year but, more importantly, provides significant dollars for charities. Throughout Celebrity Fight Night's 17-year history $70 million has been raised with the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute as the primary beneficiary. Numerous other charities have benefited and countless lives have been changed thanks to the tremendous generosity of our supporters. Thank you for your generous support allowing us to make a difference in many less fortunate people's lives.
Click on the link above to Donate!
Celebrity Fight Night Foundation, Inc.
2111 East Highland Avenue, Suite 135
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
P: 602-956-1121
F: 602 346 1555
501c3 # 86-0903119
Muhammad Ali Joins 23andMe In Search for Parkinson’s Disease Cure
Legendary Boxer Encourages Those with Parkinson’s Disease To Join Research Efforts
Mountain View, CA - February 21, 2012 – Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who has Parkinson’s disease, has teamed up with 23andMe, a leading personal genetics company, in its
Parkinson’s Disease Research Initiative to enroll 10,000 individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to participate in research. Individuals in this online community are helping to advance research in Parkinson’s by completing online surveys and sharing their genetic data with researchers. 23andMe’s Parkinson’s Disease Research Initiative also serves as a community for individuals and families affected by the disease to connect with each other. With Muhammad Ali participating along with more than 6,500 other individuals who have Parkinson’s, 23andMe now has the world’s largest cohort of Parkinson’s patients participating in research. While Lonnie Ali does not have Parkinson’s disease, her DNA and answers to research surveys can be just as helpful to researchers in better understanding the genetics of Parkinson’s. The Alis have worked with 23andMe to create an inspirational video to encourage others with Parkinson's disease to participate in 23andMe's research efforts titled, “Give Us Your Hand”.
“Using our genetics, 23andMe is getting to the basis of what causes this illness, why some people get it, and why some people don’t,” said Lonnie Ali. “Anyone out there who has Parkinson’s disease, I urge you to participate.” In addition to participating in the thriving Parkinson’s community, anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's by a physician can join the initiative and receive a free 23andMe Personal Genome Service®. This service includes a report on genetic factors associated with Parkinson’s as well as regular updates about new genetic discoveries and how those discoveries apply to them. Participants can also access personalized reports on what their DNA reveals about
235 other traits and conditions, or dig into their roots using a variety of
ancestry features offered by 23andMe.
“It’s an honor to have Muhammad and Lonnie Ali join our Parkinson’s Disease Research Initiative,” said Anne Wojcicki, CEO of 23andMe. "Muhammad is a legend and it's wonderful to have him helping us pioneer a novel, consumer-driven approach to research. By bringing thousands of individuals together online, we hope to make significant discoveries that will impact Muhammad's life and others with Parkinson's." 23andMe published a research paper in June 2011 detailing our
discovery of two novel genetic associations with Parkinson’s. 23andMe also identified a
genetic factor in a gene called SGK1 that may protect against the disease. With generous support from
The Michael J. Fox Foundation, 23andMe has partnered with
The Scripps Research Institute to further study the connection between SGK1 and a Parkinson’s risk gene called LRRK2 in hopes of finding new treatments for Parkinson’s disease. The “Give Us Your Hand” video featuring Muhammad and Lonnie Ali, debuted at the celebrity-packed "Power of Love Gala" in Las Vegas on February 18, 2012. The Gala is a 70th birthday celebration for Muhammad Ali and a fundraiser for the
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the
Muhammad Ali Center. The event will be televised on ABC on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m. ET and 2 p.m. PT. It will re-air on ESPN2 later that same night at 10 p.m. ET. The “Give Us Your Hand” video featuring the Alis is now available on 23andMe's website.
About 23andMe
23andMe, Inc. is a leading personal genetics company dedicated to helping individuals understand their own genetic information through DNA analysis technologies and web-based interactive tools. The company's Personal Genome Service
® enables individuals to gain deeper insights into their ancestry and inherited traits. The vision for 23andMe is to personalize healthcare by making and supporting meaningful discoveries through genetic research. 23andMe, Inc., was founded in 2006, and the company is advised by a group of renowned experts in the fields of human genetics, bioinformatics and computer science. More information is available at
www.23andme.com.
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Jane Rubinstein, 212-843-8287,
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Alison Hendrie, 212-843-8029,
ahendrie@rubenstein.com
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