Rocky Bleier to Visit Long-Time Fan at Assisted Living Center
Visit is arranged by PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®
Gibsonia, Pa. - Dec. 5, 2008 - Rocky Bleier, the legendary Steelers running back, will deliver a smile to a patient this holiday season when he visits Sunrise Assisted Living of the South Hills, 1320 Greentree Road, at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. He will spend some time visiting one-on-one with Gerri Tick, a 73-year-old lifelong Steelers fan. During his visit, he will give her a football and personally autograph it for her. Following his visit with Gerri, he will autograph special miniature PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® footballs for any of the 80 residents who are interested.
Bleier's visit is arranged by PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®, a charity that matches patients in nursing homes, assisted living centers and personal care homes with a visitor who personally delivers a gift at Christmas time.
Bleier's story is one of the most compelling in the NFL. He served in the Vietnam War and lost part of his foot in a combat injury. Nonetheless, he went on to become one of the Steelers' top leading ground gainers during his 12-year NFL career. He passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in one season and contributed to four Super Bowl victories. The story of Bleier's battle to overcome his injuries and return to the Pittsburgh Steelers is described in his book, "Fighting Back," and was recreated in a TV movie. Today, Bleier is a motivational speaker and supports many charitable causes, including PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®.
Bleier's visit to Sunrise is just one example of the 26,450 gifts and visits that are being arranged this Christmas season by PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®. Three-hundred five nursing homes and personal care homes throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, West Virginia and Tennessee have enrolled their patients in the 25th annual campaign.
During its history, PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® has provided gifts and visits to more than 300,000 residents in nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities. PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® is operated as a community outreach program by St. Barnabas Charities and is co-sponsored by WPXI-TV. For more information about PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®, call 724-443-0011 or visit www.PRESENTSFORPATIENTS.com.
Contact:
Kathleen Brenneman
(724) 444-5530
kbrenneman@stbarnabashealthsystem.com
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