Pictured: Governor Bill Haslam; Peyton Manning; Dr. Roberto Fernandez, medical director of The Pat Summitt Clinic at The University of Tennessee Medical Center; and his wife, Dr. Denia Ramirez.
Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam Tuesday partnered with five-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning to raise awareness and funds for The Pat Summitt Foundation, financing research, treatment and support for those facing Alzheimer’s disease. Two private, ticketed events held Tuesday together raised over $600,000 to benefit the fund established by the late head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer basketball team, Pat Summitt.
“Pat made a tremendous impact on and off the court, and she continues to do so through the work of her foundation,” Mr.
Manning said. “I am incredibly proud to honor her legacy by supporting the work of The Pat Summitt Foundation and the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.”
A close friend of Coach Summitt and honorary co-chair of the foundation, Mr. Manning was instrumental in the development of both events. The first event was a luncheon hosted by Wellspire, a state-of-the-art learning center and event space located in the Gulch neighborhood of Nashville. With presenting sponsors Ingram Industries Inc., Pinnacle Financial Partners and Wiley Brothers-Aintree Capital, LLC, Wellspire hosted 175 guests for an intimate discussion with Mr. Manning, moderated by ESPN/ABC college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
The evening’s event, hosted by Governor and First Lady Haslam at the Tennessee Executive Residence, included remarks from both Mr. Manning and Governor Haslam, a live auction and a performance from country artist Eric Church. Mr. Church’s foundation, “The Chief Cares Fund,” also benefitted from the event as Mr. Manning presented a $10,000 check to Mr. Church as a surprise from The Pat Summitt Foundation in appreciation of Mr. Church’s contributions to the event.
“Crissy and I are privileged to be a part of this work being done to combat Alzheimer’s disease in commemoration of a true Tennessee legend,” Governor Haslam said. “The funds raised through these events will have a significant impact on the work of The Pat Summitt Foundation.”
The foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations that provide research, education and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as support services to patients, their families and caregivers. The fund also endows an annual grant of $500,000 to help fund The Pat Summitt Clinic at The University of Tennessee Medical Center, a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary Alzheimer’s clinic led by medical director and neurologist, Dr. Roberto Fernandez. The
combined amount raised Tuesday through both events exceeds the $500,000 needed for the 2017 clinic grant, a notable achievement, officials said.
“On behalf of The Pat Summitt Foundation, we are so grateful to Peyton, Governor and First Lady Haslam and Wellspire for all of the tremendous work that went into making this a success,” said Patrick Wade, executive director of the foundation. “Both the awareness and funds resulting from these events will leave an indelible mark on the efforts of the foundation to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s.”