2nd Annual Knuckle Ball . . . A Pitch for Life
The Knuckle Ball Gala, hosted by The Joe Niekro Foundation on held Nov. 12 at the Arizona Biltmore, raised $250,000, a large portion of which will benefit Barrow Neurological Institute. The event was attended by 300 guests, who enjoyed live and silent auctions, dinner, and entertainment and dancing to the music of the Groove Merchants.
Dr. Robert Spetzler, director of the Barrow Neurological Institute and chair of the Neurosurgery Department, received the Joe Niekro Medical Humanitarian of the Year award, and Nancy Hanley received the Joe Niekro Humanitarian of the Year award. Hanley established the Marguerite Clark Hobbs Ruptured Aneurysm Trial at Barrow Neurological Institute in 2003. Hobbs, Hanley’s mother, died after suffering from an aneurysm in her brain stem in 1978.
The Joe Niekro Foundation was founded by Natalie Niekro, daughter of MLB veteran pitcher Joe Niekro, after her father’s death from a brain aneurysm. The first Knuckle Ball took place in 2009 in Houston, where Niekro spent the majority of his career. The Nov. 12 Knuckle Ball was the second to be held in Phoenix.
Funds received by Barrow Neurological Institute will support research and awareness for brain aneurysm, AVM and hemorrhagic stroke research.
PHOTOS BY LAURENT LANEE AND DAVID SICARDI
Nancy Hanley with her brother-in-law and sister-in law Dr. Terry Hanley and Kate Hanley; her daugher Lisa Mansour, and lifelong friend Suzanne Cali
Jessica Paquette-Maxwell and Doug Saunders; Brandon and Alicia Webb
Bruce Halle, Nancy and Jimmy Walker and Diane Halle
Carolyn Moos, Natalie Niekro, and Matt and Rebecca Fish
Jeff and Lisa Geyser, and Dr. Nicole Nakaji and Dr. Peter Nakaji
Kim Rivera and Carrie Martz
Nancy Hanley and her daughter Shelley Jacoby
Natalie Niekro and Molly Stockley; Catherine Anaya, event emcee
