‘Celebrity Fight Night in Italy’ Donates $750K to Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
Barrow Neurological Foundation has secured a $750,000 gift from Celebrity Fight Night in Italy to support the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, which treats patients afflicted with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.
Nancy and Jimmy Walker
Celebrity Fight Night in Italy is produced by Celebrity Fight Night Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by Jimmy Walker. Proceeds from the first star-studded Celebrity Fight Night, presented in Phoenix 22 years ago, helped establish the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in 1997. Since then, generous contributions from the foundation have allowed the facility to expand and evolve into one of the largest, most comprehensive programs of its kind in the United States.
This is the second gift made by Celebrity Fight Night in Italy to Barrow since the event premiered in 2014. The celebratory fundraiser was hosted by internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli, who has also headlined the Phoenix event in past years.
Bocelli visited and toured the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center for the first time in December. He delighted hospital staff and special guests with a surprise performance during a welcome reception, organized by Barrow Neurological Foundation to express gratitude for his many years of support.
The 22nd annual Celebrity Fight Night returns to Phoenix on April 9 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. The event once again will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning superstar of country music, Reba McEntire. David Foster will return for his 17th consecutive year as the evening’s musical director. The entertainment lineup also features seven-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood, Brooks and Dunn, The Tenors, Sinbad and more.
Musician David Foster and singer Jackie Evancho attend the Celebrity Fight Night gala at Palazzo Vecchio during 2015 Celebrity Fight Night Italy on September 13, 2015 in Florence, Italy. PHOTO BY ANDREW GOODMAN/GETTY IMAGES FOR CELEBRITY FIGHT NIGHT
Money raised by the upcoming Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix and the Italy event supports expansion of outreach programs, research and treatment offered at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.
Muhammad Ali, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 20 years ago, and Lonnie, his wife, have a keen interest in the expansion of the center’s community resources. Outreach programming encourages patients to remain physically and socially active, while participating in classes for art, singing, dancing, yoga, Tai Chi and other forms of exercise. In addition, support groups and workshops are organized for patients and their loved ones to share experiences with others and gain a better understanding of the physiological and emotional impact of Parkinson’s.
Recently, the center attracted Holly Shill, M.D., as the new director, marking the return of one of its most admired and respected Parkinson’s physicians. Believing research is on the cusp of major breakthroughs, Shill is committed to leading the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center to discovery of innovative treatments for improving the quality of life for all patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
