COUNTRY MUSIC SUPERSTARS TRAILER CHOIR, CHUCK WICKS AND KEITH ANDERSON TEAM UP WITH THE JOE NIEKRO FOUNDATION AND GO TO BAT FOR ANEURYSM RESEARCH

Trailer Choir, Chuck Wicks and Keith Anderson...Playing for a Cause

Country Music Superstars Trailer Choir, Chuck Wicks and Keith Anderson have teamed up with The Joe Niekro Foundation for a weekend of festivities in Houston, TX, April 27th and 28th.  It’s all in celebration of the 3rd Annual Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life, with proceeds benefitting brain aneurysm research, treatment and education.

Friday, April 27th will kick things off at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar with a special acoustic, in the round performance, beginning at 8P.   Patrons will hear hits like Rockin’ the Beer Gutt, Off the Hillbilly Hook and Shakin’ that Tailgate from Trailer Choir, Stealing Cinderella, All I Ever Wanted and Old School from Chuck Wicks, and Every Time I Hear Your Name, Pickin’ Wildflowers and Lost In This Moment from Keith Anderson.  These hits plus many more will fill the stage and make country music memories, while attendees experience an up close and personal view of these country megastars.

The festivities continue at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, April 28th as the entertainers will be joined by athletes from across the country at the 3rd Annual Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life, as they pay tribute to the beloved 13-year Houston Astros All-Star,  Joe Niekro.  At the peak of his Major League Baseball pitching career, Joe Niekro was famous for his command of the knuckleball, a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. Like a knuckleball, Niekro’s life took an unpredictable path on October 27, 2006, when he died suddenly from a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Niekro served 22 years in the Major Leagues, 13 of those with the Houston Astros.  He became the team’s first 20-game winner, and remains the all-time leader in wins among Astros pitchers.  Teaming up with his brother, Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, the two combined for 539 wins over their respective careers making them the most successful brother combination in Major League history.

In honor of his memory, daughter Natalie Niekro created The Joe Niekro Foundation, with a mission to raise funds for brain aneurysm research, treatment and help bring public awareness to this devastating condition affecting as many as 1 in 15 people.

A number of Astros players, along with former MLB, NFL and NBA Stars, will be on hand at the black-tie gala, featuring a reception, formal dinner, silent and live auction (for a list of previous attendees, click here).  Joe’s brother and Hall of Fame pitcher, Phil Niekro will serve as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, with a special presentation of The 2012 Joe Niekro Humanitarian Award to Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner and current Chairman of the Board of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, J. Kent Friedman.

We invite you to join us for a weekend of fun as we raise money for a condition that is killing thousands every year. For tickets and more information on both events and The Joe Niekro Foundation, visit www.joeniekrofoundation.org/knuckleball.

April 27th – 8P – Country Music Concert

Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, 1031 E. 24th St. Houston, TX 77009

Tickets: $75

April 28th – 6:36P – Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life (Joe Niekro’s #36 symbolizes the start time)

Minute Maid Park, 501 Crawford Street, Houston, Texas 77002

Tickets: Individual Tickets start at $336, with table sponsorships ranging from $5,036-$25,036.

Texas – Here We Come!

On September 13th, The Houston Astros will honor one of baseball’s most renowned pitchers and former Astro Knuckleballer, Joe Niekro.  Niekro spent 22 years in the major leagues, notching 221 wins and still holds the record, with his brother Phil, of the most successful brother combination in major league history, with 539 wins and the record of the winningest pitcher in Houston Astro history. On October 27, 2006, Joe passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm.  Today, his legacy lives on through The Joe Niekro Foundation, committed to the awareness and funding for aneurysm research and treatment.  To honor this knuckleball legend, The Houston Astros will host “Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night” at Minute Maid Park on September 13, 2011. Attending will be, President and Founder of The Joe Niekro Foundation, Joe’s daughter, Natalie, with a special on field ceremony prior to the game. Natalie will be joined by former teammates, Houston alumni, Larry Dierker, Art Howe and Enos Cabell, along with several aneurysm survivors from the Houston area for a special on field ceremony.  From 5:30-3rd Inning, fans can visit The Joe Niekro Foundation booth on
the concourse and receive a Wanna Get Lucky? t-shirt and autograph from these three former Astros in exchange for a minimum donation of $20.  Wanna Get Lucky? is the foundation’s national awareness  campaign to educate people on the importance of early detection. During the game, fans will also be encouraged to participate in a “Text to Give” campaign by texting the word Strikeout to 20222.  By doing so, a $10 donation to The Joe Niekro Foundation will appear on the donor’s cell phone bill.

Click here to watch the exclusive video that will be shown during the game on September 13th.  Come on Houston, join us in the fight and Knuckle Up with us on the 13th.

From Minute Maid, its off to Kingwood, TX for the 1st Annual Joe Niekro Foundation Golf-A-Thon on September 16th at Kingwood Country Club.   Participants can tee-it-up for 18 or 36 holes, all while raising pledges for the holes they complete from donations secured prior to their play.  With Joe Niekro’s jersey being #36, we encourage all to pay tribute to Joe and sign up for a full day of two rounds of 18.  Avid, as well as the novice golfers, will find this day one filled with fun, excitement and lots of laughs.  Grab your clubs and come join the fun as we compete for pledges on the links.

Its not too late to register, so Click Here to get signed up today!

 

Thank You Minnesota! The Twin Cities ROCK!

Foundation Board Member, Kari Ulrich and Medical Advisory Board Member, Dr. Robert Brown, join Natalie Niekro with Tim Laudner (left), Dan Gladden (center) and Tony Oliva (right) for the pre-game autograph session

What a day, what a day, what a day!!!!!  It was Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day at Target Field in honor of The Joe Niekro Foundation.  My day started with a fabulous pre-game autograph signing session with former Minnesota Twins players Dan Gladden, Tim Laudner and Tony Oliva.  Hundreds lined up to make a $20 donation to The Joe Niekro Foundation in exchange for a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt that would then be autographed by these three greats.  What can I say – not only are these three amazing, but the Minnesota fans are too!  What smiles, positive attitudes and compliments they made as they made their way through the long line.  My right hand gal through it all – Mrs. Kari Ulrich – without you Kari, today would never have been what it was.  I can’t thank you enough for your vivacious energy, fundraising tenacity and pure commitment to our cause.

Kari and Natalie sporting their Wanna Get Lucky? shirts

Kari, an aneurysm survivor herself, didn’t slow down once today!  As we made our way onto the field for the pre-game ceremony with Dr. Robert Brown, neurologist and brain specialist from Mayo Clinic, we were welcomed by a wonderful applause from the Minnesota fans, with their generosity continuing through the night as we collected donations through the foundation’s Text to Give campaign.  As message boards lit up around the stadium with “Text STRIKEOUT to 20222 and make a $10 donation to The Joe Niekro Foundation” we watched hundreds grabbing their cell phones in support of our cause.  We want to thank all those that supported us today, plan to support us in the future and will continue to spread the word about our organization and mission.

If you haven’t yet, grab your phone now and Knuckle Up for Aneurysm Research – text STRIKEOUT to 20222!  Your donation WILL make a difference.

Text STRIKEOUT to 20222 and make a $10 donation to support brain aneursym research, treatment and awareness

State of Texas Declares September 2011 to be Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month

On April 28, 2011 the Texas State Legislature passed a resolution declaring September 2011 to be Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.  The resolution is designed to raise awareness of the dangers of brain aneurysms and increase public awareness of the symptoms and treatments available.

The resolution was sponsored by Representative Vicki Truitt.  Truitt filed the resolution at the recommendation of Dana Beard, whose son, Taylor Mangham, passed away from a brain aneurysm in January 2010 at the age of 15.

“We are thrilled to have September designated as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month here in Texas,” said Dana Beard.  “We want to urge everyone to use this time for fundraisers, walks and awareness events.  Together, we can truly make a difference in educating individuals about the dangers of brain aneurysms and help prevent other families from experiencing a loss like ours.”

About Brain Aneurysms
Brain aneurysms can occur in anyone, at any age. An estimated 6 million people in the United States have an unruptured brain aneurysm. Each year, about 24,000 people in the U.S. will suffer from a ruptured brain aneurysm.   About 40% of those experiencing a ruptured brain aneurysm will die.

People who suffer a ruptured brain aneurysm will often have warning signs. The following warning signs precede about 40% of major ruptures, including localized headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light and loss of sensation

If the brain aneurysm is diagnosed early with proper screening, it can be treated before it ruptures, saving lives.    However, most people with unruptured brain aneurysms are completely asymptomatic have no symptoms, while others may experience some or all of the following symptoms, which suggest an aneurysm, including cranial nerve palsy, dilated pupils, double vision, pain above and behind the eye and localized headaches.

There are a number of risk factors that medical professionals believe contribute to the formation of brain aneurysms.  Avoiding or managing these factors can help decrease the potential for brain aneurysms, including smoking, hypertension, drug use, infection, tumors traumatic head injury, family history, select inherited disorders and presence of an arteriovenous malformation.

The Joe Niekro Foundation recently recognized March 14-20, 2011 as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Week as a way to help bring awareness to the importance of early detection, The Joe Niekro Foundation launched the national initiative, Wanna Get Lucky?. This catchy slogan was printed on thousands of t-shirts and promoted to various communities across the country. One of the communities that took an active part was Kingwood Medical Center. Hospital staff donated to the cause with the purchase of Wanna Get Lucky shirts and commemorative bracelets. The bracelets commemorated the hospital’s 100th brain surgery, while the shirts brought awareness to the importance of brain aneurysms and early detection.  Thank you Kingwood Medical Center for Getting Lucky with The Joe Niekro Foundation.

You too can help us bring awareness to this crucial campaign by sporting one of these fantastic shirts and all year long. The more awareness we can bring to this silent killer, the more success we can have in preventing them. Click here to get your shirt now and GET LUCKY!

 

 

 

Brain Aneursym Awareness Night Turner Field…A Survivor’s Success!

Natalie and Phil Niekro accompanied by several Brain Aneurysm Survivors for a special pre-game ceremony.

On July 16^th, The Atlanta Braves honored one of baseball’s most renowned pitchers and former Atlanta Braves Knuckleballer, Joe Niekro.  Niekro spent 22 years in the major leagues, notching 221 wins and still holds the record, with his brother Phil, of the most successful brother combination in major league history, with 539 wins.  On October 27, 2006, Joe passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm.  Today, his legacy lives on through the Joe Niekro Foundation, committed to the awareness and funding for aneurysm research and treatment.  To honor this knuckleball legend, The Atlanta Braves hosted “Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night” at Turner Field on July 16, 2011.  President and Founder of The Joe Niekro Foundation, Joe’s daughter, Natalie and Joe’s brother, Hall of Famer Phil Niekro were joined by over 50 aneurysm survivors from the Atlanta area and medical professionals from Emory Hospital for a special pre-game on field ceremony.  From the times the gates opened to game time, fans visited The Joe Niekro Foundation booth in Monument Grove where they received a Wanna Get Lucky?t-shirt and autograph from Phil Niekro for a minimum donation of $20.

Phil Niekro Signing a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt for a very happy fan

Wanna Get Lucky? is the foundation’s national awareness initiative campaign to educate people on the importance of early detection.  In addition, throughout the game, fans were encouraged to participate in a “Text to Give” campaign by texting the word Strikeout to 20222.  By doing so the texter was making a $10 donation to The Joe Niekro Foundation.  Natalie and foundation volunteers sold Wanna Get Lucky? shirts throughout the game, plus gave text donors a commemorative Wanna Get Lucky? stress ball as a thank you for their support.  We are pleased to report that Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night was a great success for The Joe Niekro Foundation and we thank everyone for their tremendous support.

Click here to watch the video shown at Turner Field prior to the on-field ceremony.

We’re Taking You OUT TO THE BALLGAME!

On July 16th, The Joe Niekro Foundation will be hosting Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA. To help promote the evening, we are offering the first 50 aneurysm survivors to respond, 2 tickets to the July 16th Braves vs Nationals “Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night” game.  Natalie Niekro, founder of the Foundation, and Phil Niekro (former HOF Braves pitcher) will present the pre-game ceremony and run the festivities for the evening.  Periodically throughout the evening, they will highlight information about detection and treatment of brain aneurysms as well as the need for much more research for brain aneurysms.  Survivors will be asked to join Natalie and Phil on the field for the pre-game ceremony which will feature the Brain Aneurysm Awareness Initiative and the life of Joe Niekro.  Be one of the first to respond and you will receive 2 tickets to the game, plus a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt that you will wear to the game.  Phil and Natalie Niekro will be in Monument Grove (just outside the main gates) before the game with Wanna Get Lucky? shirts on hand.  Make a $20 donation and you will receive a Wanna Get Lucky Shirt that Phil Niekro will personally autograph for you.

The Atlanta Braves and The Joe Niekro Foundation look forward to taking you out to the Ball Game!  For tickets and more information, contact janie@joeniekrofoundation.org.

Help support the importance of early detection and get your Wanna Get Lucky? shirt today

A Week with The Legends

Grab your glove and dust off those cleats…Legends Fantasy Camp is hitting the streets.  The Joe Niekro Foundation brings you a baseball camp unlike any other.  Learn the subtle nuances of the game from four Hall of Fame greats and six former major leaguers, as you experience five fun filled days in the city that never sleeps…Las Vegas, Nevada. Its baseball by day and blackjack by night as you play America’s favorite pastime with some of the game’s greatest legends. 

 We’re looking for a select group to be a part of this Legends experience, managed by Hall of Fame greats; George Brett, Phil Niekro, Gaylord Perry and Ozzie Smith. Legends Fantasy Camp features three days of baseball, including tryouts and team selection, plus an 18 hole golf scramble tournament.  Cashman Field, home of the AAA Toronto Blue Jays, is where our campers will find their own locker, complete with customized home and away uniforms, plus all the extras they need for the week…and a few surprises along the way.  It is here where our lucky players will discover what happens both on…and off the field. 

Campers will be hosted at a luxurious Vegas Hotel and Casino, September 25-30, where they will be treated like royalty, enjoying a lavish welcome reception, daily group breakfast and lunch, discounted spa services and full use of the fitness center…just in case the daily grind at  the field isn’t enough of a workout.  Wednesday, September 28^th, it’s a day on the links as campers will swing their golf clubs instead of their baseball bats and tee it up at the beautiful Siena Golf Resort.

The Joe Niekro Foundation was founded by Joe’s daughter Natalie when Joe lost his life unexpectedly to a cerebral aneurysm. The foundation is committed to the awareness and funding for brain aneurysm research, treatment and education.  1 in 15 people in the US will develop a brain aneurysm and 50% of ruptured aneurysm victims will die within minutes.  The Joe Niekro Foundation is determined to help bring awareness to these silent killers and educate the public on the importance of early detection.  The Joe Niekro Foundation is a registered 501 c-3, which means that your involvement in The Legends Fantasy Camp is not only tax deductible, but going to benefit a wonderful cause working hard to advance neurological medical research for brain aneurysms.

We invite you to join us for an unforgettable five days of fun and promise it will be an experience you will never forget.  There are only a limited number of slots available, so don’t wait, get signed up today. To become part of this exclusive group, contact Natalie Niekro at 602-318-1013 nniekro@joeniekrofoundation.org or Jerry Lewis at ellenlewis@comcast.net.

We look forward to welcoming you at The Legends Fantasy Camp…Playing for a Cause.

Sincerely,

 

Niekro Day a HUGE Success

Thousands of fans packed in the Detroit Tigers vs. Florida Souther Moccasins exhibition game, today at Joker Marchant Stadium.  In collaboration with the Tigers 75th Anniversary of Spring Training in Lakeland Florida, today also commemorated the 25th anniversary of this exhibition game between these two teams. 

To honor this special day, The Detroit Tigers paid tribute to former Tiger pitcher, Joe Niekro and The Joe Niekro Foundation.  Starting the game, was president and founder of the foundation, Natalie Niekro, throwing out the first pitch to who else, but her brother, assistant coach of the Moccasins, Lance Niekro.  The Joe Niekro Foundation used today as a chance to bring awareness to the foundation, while promoting their national Wanna Get Lucky? initiative and the Text to Give campaign, which allows people to make a $10 donation straight from their cell phone simply by texting the word STRIKEOUT to 20222.  Today’s outcome was such a success that The Tigers have invited the foundation back to the stadium on March 1st to continue raising money for brain aneurysm research and treatment.  

While at Joker Marchant, Natalie was able to meet The Westdorp’s, a family who lost their 40 year old son to a brain aneurysm just days before this past Christmas.  Chris Westdorp was a loving father of two beautiful children who now are left behind to try and make sense of the silent killer that just took their father.  The Joe Niekro Foundation will be making a donation to the Westdorp family from the proceeds made throughout the week from Wanna Get Lucky? t-shirt sales and any Text to Give donations that come through.

We invite you to take part in this special tribute by purchasing your Wanna Get Lucky? shirt today or by simply texting STRIKEOUT to 20222.  Your strikeout WILL make a difference.  Thank you for your support and for continuing to help bring awareness to the enemies we know as aneurysms.

Natalie Niekro outside Joker Marchant Stadium holds a picture of the Joe Niekro poster that every fan who attended the game received.

Tigers to Honor Joe Niekro on Feb. 25th

2011 marks the Detroit Tigers 75th season of Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers have journeyed to Lakeland every spring since 1934, with the exception of 1943-45 due to World War II, establishing the longest-lasting relationship between a Major League team and a current Spring Training host city. In honor of this momentous milestone the Detroit Tigers and the City of Lakeland have planned a week-long celebration February 22-27, providing fans the opportunity to mingle with current and former Tigers players, members of the Tigers organization, and special guests. Over these decades millions of Tigers fans have had the opportunity to experience the thrill of major league spring training and the magic of meeting Hall of Famers and World Champions. 75 Years…a celebration in the making and still going strong. “Tigers Week” kicks off on Tuesday, February 22 with festivities for all including a bar-b-que, black tie gala, golf tournament and culminates with The Detroit Tigers playing an exhibition game against The Florida Southern Moccasins.  Why is this game so special?  Well, Feb. 25th marks the 25th anniversary of this exhibition game and both teams are taking this opportunity to honor Tiger alum, Joe Niekro.  From 1970-1972, Niekro proudly wore the Tiger uniform and soon decided that Lakeland was the place he always wanted to call “home.”  After retiring from his 22 years in the Majors, Niekro enjoyed coaching his son, Lance, who then played for the Moccasins earning a first-team All-Sunshine State Conference selection, a first-team All-South Region selection and a third-team All-America pick, before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 2nd round in 2000.

To honor Joe and the Niekro family, The Detroit Tigers have claimed Feb. 25th as Niekro Night at Joker Marchant Stadium.  All fans will receive a Joe Niekro poster, Natalie and Lance Niekro will throw out the first pitch and speak to the crowd about The Joe Niekro Foundation and it’s commitment to brain aneurysm awareness and research..  Throughout the game, fans will be encouraged to take part in the foundation’s ”Text to Give” campaign by texting the word STRIKEOUT to 20222.  By doing so, a $10 donation will be made directly from their cell phone and appear on their next cell phone bill.  PSA announcements of Natalie Niekro will be playing to educate fans of The Joe Niekro Foundation and our mission.

The Joe Niekro Foundation is honored to be a part of this tribute and thank The Detroit Tigers, The Florida Southern Moccasins, the City of Lakeland and all the fans for their support, commitment and dedication to the Niekro name.  Stay tuned for pictures and a recap after the game.

Knuckle Ball 2011…Just around the Corner

November 13th is fast approaching, so look out Houston, the 2nd Annual Knuckle Ball…A Pitch for Life is coming.  That’s right, November 13th, The Joe Niekro Foundation will again host an evening with baseball’s greatest legends coming together to raise money for brain aneurysm awareness, research and treatment.  6:36P marks the time and Minute Maid Park marks the place.  Why :36 you ask?  Well that’s easy, the time signifies the number Joe Niekro wore during his 13 years as an Astro.  You won’t want to miss this exciting evening filled with music, food and fun.  The night will start with a swanky reception, serving up fantastic hor’s douerves and drinks, followed by a sit down dinner, auction and will culminate with a special performance from Country Music star, Chuck Wicks.  Last year’s event raised over $450,000 toward aneurysm research and this year the foundation plans to surpass that goal.  To find out more, log onto www.joeniekrofoundation.org/knuckleball.  We’ll see you on the 13th!