On January 17, NJ Allstate Representative Jimmy Cheng and his associates hosted an allday Hoop Classic at Kean University to benefit Team LeGrand of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and raise funds for spinal cord injury research. The event is part of community program collaboration with the NJ-area Allstate agency, co-sponsor the Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (UCIAC), and Hoop Nation, a local basketball instruction and development program for young athletes in Highland Park, NJ.
High school basketball teams from Union County participated in the Hoop Classic including Colonia, Woodbridge, Union High School, Carteret, Rahway, Cranford, Roselle Catholic, Hillside, and St. Gil Bernard’s to spotlight their athletic talents. During halftime of the 6 pm Gill St. Bernards vs. Roselle Catholic game, Eric LeGrand spoke about the past five years since he sustained his spinal cord injury and the importance of disability awareness.
“I want to thank everyone involved in this event, and for supporting my cause,” Eric said in his speech. “I know we will get to that end zone one day where we will find cures for spinal cord injury, and everyone’s support in the community is what brings us closer every day.”
After his speech, Jimmy and his Allstate associates awarded a $5000 donation in support of Team LeGrand’s mission to advance groundbreaking research and quality of life initiatives on behalf of the six million Americans living with paralysis.
About Team LeGrand: Team LeGrand of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation launched in September 2013. In a matter of months, Team LeGrand rallied members nationwide with its mission: To help individuals living with spinal cord injury and their families by supporting quality of life initiatives and emerging therapies that will get us to the end zone — cures for SCI.
About The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information, please visit ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.
(above) Eric LeGrand at the AllState Hoop Classic at Kean University.
(above) LeGrand addressing the audience during half time of the Roselle Catholic vs. St. Gil Bernard’s Game.
(above) Eric and his Aunt accepting the $5,000 donation from event host Jimmy Cheng.
