Will You Stand Up for Those Who Can’t During National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month?
Coach Don Shula and NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson Join Marc Buoniconti to
Discuss Exciting Ways to Help Find a Cure for Paralysis!
September was just named National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, which shines a spotlight on the fact that every 48 minutes an American will become spinal cord injured. During this month, The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis is asking people across the country to stand up and take action to help fund research for a cure to paralysis.
The story behind The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis has inspired professional athletes and private citizens for over 26 years to work together to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. In 1985, life changed forever for Marc Buoniconti and his family when he was playing college football and he sustained a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. His father, NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker Nick Buoniconti, made a promise at Marc’s hospital bedside that he would do whatever it took to make sure he would walk again – that money would never stand in the way of finding a cure for paralysis. Since then, The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and its research facility, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis have raised more than $300 million and have over 250 scientists, researchers, clinicians, therapists and support staff working to find a cure for spinal cord injury!
The nonprofit’s largest fundraiser is an annual dinner in New York City that honors professional athletes for their talent and philanthropy; last year’s Great Sports Legends Dinner raised an unprecedented $17 million! This year’s dinner is on Monday, September 26 and will honor Don Shula, Jerry Rice, Ernie Els, Andre Dawson, Chris Mullin, Harry Carson, Clark Gillies, John Force and Nancy Kerrigan. Bob Costas will also be returning as Master of Ceremonies.
On Sept. 13, Coach Don Shula and NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson will join Marc Buoniconti to discuss how listeners can attend the dinner or make contributions online to help take a stand or honor special people in their lives who are paralyzed. There are also ways to spread awareness through social media campaigns – every bit helps and the conversation promises to be inspirational to you and your listeners!
For more information visit: www.TheBuonicontiFund.com
About Marc Buonconti:
If courage is grace under fire, Marc Buoniconti ranks among the bravest men you’ll ever know. A 1985 spinal cord injury while playing college football for The Citadel left him unable to move a muscle below his neck. Yet, each day he moves people; moves them to understand the tragedy of paralyzing SCI — and to join him in finding its cure. The son of legendary All-Pro and Hall of Famer linebacker and former Miami Dolphin Nick Buoniconti serves as President for both, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, The Miami Project’s fundraising arm.
“One day I was a normal kid — thinking about school, sports, and girls,” muses Marc. “The next thing you know, I’m out there talking to people about paralysis. My goal is to get everyone out of these wheelchairs.” To reach that goal, the Buonicontis formed The Buoniconti Fund, and have been the catalyst in raising over $300 million for The Miami Project’s research through special events; cause related marketing initiatives and the development and management of a nationwide network of volunteer Chapters.
About Harry Carson:
Harry Carson’s 13-year stint with the New York Football Giants is one of the longest tenures in club history. The indestructible former linebacker served as Team Captain for 10 of his 13 seasons including the 1986 season when the Giants defeated the Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. Rated the #1 “Inside Linebacker” in NFL history according to Pro Football Weekly, Carson was named to the All-Rookie Team after his first NFL season. Subsequently, during his NFL career, he was named to the All-NFL Team 7 times, the All-NFC Team 8 times, and NFC Linebacker of the Year twice.
With performances like that he was selected by his peers to play in the NFC-AFC Pro Bowl 9 times. He is among the top 250 players to ever play professional football with his induction as the 231st member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
About Don Shula:
Don Shula’s record as head coach of the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969 and the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995 is unmatched in NFL history. In 1995, he concluded his 33rd season as the winningest NFL head coach ever with a career mark of 347-173-6 (.665).Of all NFL coaches, only Shula and the immortal George Halas attained 300 victories. The Colts under Shula enjoyed seven straight winning seasons and in 26 years at Miami, Shula’s Dolphins experienced only two seasons below .500. Shula’s team reached the playoffs 20 times in 33 years and his teams won at least 10 games 21 times.
Shula holds the NFL record for having coached in six Super Bowls but his teams won only twice. In Super Bowl VII, the 1972 Dolphins completed their historic 17-0-0 campaign – the only perfect season in NFL history – with a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins. In 1973, Miami defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII to culminate a two-season span when the Dolphins won 32 of 34 games.
