The Foundation Knuckle-Up Newsletter

August 2011

Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night at a HUGE success On July 16th, The honored one of ’s most renowned 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 his- tory, 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 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 were joined by over 25 aneurysm sur- vivors from the Atlanta area and medical professionals from Emory Hospital for a special pre-game on field ceremony. From the moment 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. Wanna Get Lucky? is the foundation’s national awareness initia- tive 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 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 Aneu- rysm Awareness Night raised great awareness for The Joe Niekro Foundation and we thank everyone for their tremendous support.

Inside this issue:

3rd Annual Knuckle 2 Ball... THE DATE

Former MLB All-Stars to sign autographs 2 for JNF donations

1st Annual Golf-A- 3 Phil Niekro signs a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt for a Natalie and Phil Niekro are joined by several aneu- Thon is underway dedicated fan rysm survivors for the on field pre-game ceremony

Phoenix Support 3 Group Witnesses Live Phil Niekro is introduced to the crowd of more than

Aneurysm Surgery 25,000 at Turner Field on July 16th.

Ways to Support our 3 Cause The Wanna Get Lucky? Stress Legends Fantasy Balls were handed to 4 Camp thousands the night of the game. Contact Us/Board of 4 Directors To view the special video announcement shown during the game, click here.

The Joe Niekro Foundation • P.O. Box 2876 • Scottsdale, AZ 85252-2876 • (o) 602-318-1013 • (f) 480-323-2876 www.joeniekrofoundation.org Former Knuckle Ball Attending Athletes The Joe Niekro Foundation Knuckle-Up Newsletter Page 2

MLB Brain Aneurysm Awareness Nights Making Their Way Carlos Alfonso Knuckle Ball 2012 - Mark your Calendars! Across the Country Kevin Bass For those of Join The Joe Niekro Foundation as we travel to you that have various baseball parks this summer to help bring missed the awareness to our cause, promote Wanna Get Bert Campaneris past two Lucky? and our Text to Give campaign. You never Satch Davidson Knuckle Ball know - we may just be coming to your hometown Jeff DeWillis events, mark soon! your calen- Monday, August 15 - - Detroit, MI dars for the Jim Foor 3rd Annual Join us at 5:30 for a special pre-game autograph signing session with Tiger Alumni Dave Bergman, Knuckle Ball set to take and . For a minimum place on April $25 donation, you will receive a Wanna Get Lucky? Deacon Jones 14th, 2012. shirt autographed by these Tiger greats. Or bring Frank LaCorte Home of the your own memorabilia and make your way down John McLaren the signing line as these former Tigers help support Roger Metzger Astros, Minute Maid Field will host this black tie gala, emceed by none other than Joe’s The Joe Niekro Foundation. We hope you’ll join us brother and Hall of Fame , Phil Niekro. On on August 15th! Click here for more info. Phil Niekro April 14th, athletes from all over the country will Sunday, August 21 - Target Field - Minneapolis, come together to honor the beloved 13-year MN Craig Reynolds All-Star, Joe Niekro, while raising Help The Joe Niekro Foundation as we promote JR Richard funds to support the tragic condition that ended his life suddenly in October 2006. Because of her Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day at Target father’s love for the Houston Astros and the city Field. Join Natalie Niekro and former Minnesota of Houston, The Joe Niekro Foundation hosts this Twins players, , and Tim Laudner as we pay tribute to Joe Niekro and the event to benefit brain aneurysm research, treat- ment and education in the greater Houston com- importance of brain aneurysm research, treatment munity. We invite you to join us for an unforget- and education. From 10-10:45A, we will be hosting Tal Smith table black-tie evening including silent auction a special autograph signing session and for a mini- reception, formal dinner, Live auction and the mum $25 donation, you will receive a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt autographed by these former Twins opportunity to mingle with some of baseball’s Alums. A portion of the evening's proceeds will Jon Warden greatest legends. Please support our efforts to raise the awareness benefit The Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Don't miss Glenn Wilson of this devastating condition and advance seminal August 21st!!! We will see you on the field. Click Gary Woods research, while we celebrate the life of Joe here for more info. Niekro, a truly remarkable citizen, pitcher and Tuesday, September 13 - - NFL Astros player. We would be honored to have you Houston, TX Mike Barber join our efforts. Please contact Natalie Niekro at Gregg Bingham 602-318-1013 or click here for ticket/table infor- Join us as we honor Houston Astro great, Joe Dave Casper mation. We look forward to welcoming you at Niekro for Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night. Nata- Doug Dawson Ted Hendricks Minute Maid Park on April 14th, 2012. lie Niekro will be joined by former Astros All-Stars, J.D. Hill Larry Dierker, Phil Garner and Art Howe for the pre- Robert Hubble game ceremony and special events throughout the Syd Justin Derek Kennard game. Larry, Phil and Art will be available for auto- Greg Koch graphs at the Astros Community Booth for the first Lynn Larson three of the game, in exchange for a $25 Jim O’Brien Dan Pastorini donation to the foundation. Your donation will Ron Pritchard include a Wanna Get Lucky? shirt and autographs Art Still Spencer Tillman by these three Astro notables. We will see you on Vernon Wells, Jr. the 13th! Click here for more info.

Natalie and Phil Niekro at The Knuckle Ball VIP Reception NBA Click here to view the Wanna Get Lucky? Public Service John Egan Click here to view more pictures Announcement Elvin Hayes Aaron James Kevin Loder It is estimated that 6 million people are living with an unruptured aneurysm and every 8 minutes an Isaac Stallworth aneurysm ruptures. Find out if you’re at risk and GET SCANNED TODAY. Support our early detection cam- Robert Reid paign and get your Wanna Get Lucky? shirt now! The life you save could just be your own! August 2011 Page 3

Don’t Miss The Joe Niekro Foundation Golf-A-Thon… Putting FORE a Purpose

The 1st Annual Joe Niekro Foundation Golf-A-Thon is under way. Join The Joe Niekro Foundation and Kingwood Medical Center on September 16th as we present a golf tournament like non-other. Participants can tee-it-up for 18 or 36 holes, all while raising pledges for the holes they compete 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. Kingwood Country Club will be home to our Golf-A-Thon so grab your clubs and come join the fun as we compete for pledges on the links. The following prizes will be awarded for players securing the below amounts:

$2500-$4999 YOUR CHOICE - Bushnell Golf Laser OR Nintendo Wii $5000-$7499 YOUR CHOICE - Ping G15 Driver OR Acer Laptop Computer $7500-$9999 YOUR CHOICE - 37” LCD/HDTV OR Apple Ipad

Prizes will also be awarded to team with the most amount in pledges and the overall individual raising the most in pledges. Click here to download the registration brochure and get signed up today! Check out Ways To Support The Joe Niekro Foundation Phoenix Support Group Goes Behind the  Earn money for The Joe Niekro Foundation simply by using the igive.com web browser Scenes of an Aneurysm Clipping Surgery for your internet searches Those who attended the July 20th Phoenix  Use the igive.com shop- Support Group meeting had the opportunity ping portal for your online to witness a brain aneurysm surgery first purchases and the hand. The group meets at Barrow Neurologi- retailer donates a % of each purchase to our cal Institute the third Wednesday of every cause month, and this past meeting, Barrow agreed  Join Swipegood, a free online service that to host The Joe Niekro Foundation in the Eller rounds your credit card purchases to the Telepresence video-conferencing suite, where nearest dollar, with the change benefitting they witnessed a “behind the scenes” look at The group views the theatre size HD screen The Joe Niekro Foundation. an aneurysm clipping surgery. The suite in- where Dr. Spetzler is performing the clipping. cludes 24 HD monitors which allowed for  Do some Early Spring participants to see up close and personal, the Cleaning! If you have any un- ins and outs of an aneurysm clipping proce- wanted items in great condition, let us list them in our Ebay Foundation Store. 60% of dure performed by world renowned neuro- every sale is donated directly to the founda- surgeon, Dr. Robert Spetzler. A video wall in tion. To donate items, contact Barbara - the surgery suite enabled the operating room [email protected]. staff to see and interact with the observers in the TelePresence Conference Room. The  Text STRIKEOUT to 20222 and make a $10 desk-sized computer screens mounted on the donation directly from your cell phone. tables in the TelePresence room captured the  Sport a Wanna Get Lucky? Shirt and help surgeon's view through the microscope, giving bring awareness to the importance of early our group a bird's-eye view of each step the detection surgeon took. It was truly an amazing experi- Aneurysm Survivor, Olga and her husband ence and we thank Barrow Neurological for Rico, look at the HD monitor closely as she  Make a donation In Honor or In Memory of making this possible. watches the same procedure she had done a loved one four years ago.  Like Us on Facebook, Follow Us on Twitter, Click here to find out more information about Join our Group on LinkedIn, Subscribe to our the Phoenix Support Group, plus our newest You Tube Channel, Track our Blog Posts and locations - Raleigh, NC and Kingwood, TX. Share us with all your contacts!

As many as 1 in 15 Americans will develop a cerebral aneurysm; 10- 15% of these individuals will die before reaching the hospital and over 50% will die within the first thirty days after rupture. Of those who survive, over half suffer permanent neurological deficit. The Joe Niekro Foundation The Joe Niekro Foundation...“Knuckling Up for Aneurysm Research” PO Box 2876 Scottsdale, AZ 85252-2876 The Joe Niekro Foundation was established in 2007 in honor of the founder’s father, Joe Niekro, who lost his life from a sudden ruptured brain aneurysm on Phone - 602-318-1013 October 27, 2006. The astonishing lack of public awareness and under-support of Fax - 480-323-2876 research of such a widespread and often fatal condition led to the launch of a [email protected] crusade to educate and encourage awareness about aneurysms. The Joe Niekro Foundation is committed to aiding in the research and treatment of aneurysm Board of Directors patients and families. Our goal is to raise awareness about aneurysm factors, President—Natalie Niekro causes, treatments and research. All funds are used to educate the public about Treasurer—Dave Bergman Secretary—Barbara Nivala brain aneurysms, to support patients and families, and to develop awareness programs and educational materials for hospitals, treatment centers and neuro- George Baylor Enos Cabell logical institutions worldwide and conduct research that will translate directly to Daniel Glazer improved patient outcomes. Every donation matters - every dollar counts. Lisa Kline The Joe Niekro Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) which means your donations Lance Niekro Janie Schaeffer are 100% tax deductible. Donations are used to enhance the research and treat- Lawrence Simon ment of aneurysm patients and families. Dolores Stargell Kari Ulrich Join our Mission Luke Woosley Medical Advisory Board Joan Cacciola, RN, BSN, CNRN, CCRC Orlando Manuel Diaz-Daza, M.D. Robert G. Grossman, M.D. Hani A. Haykal, M.D. Richard P. Klucznik, M.D. Peter Nakaji, M.D. Connect with The Joe Niekro Foundation Ronald E. Woosley, M.D. Y. Jonathan Zhang, M.D. Click here to subscribe to the Knuckle-Up Newsletter

The Legends are Waiting! 2011 Remaining Support Group Dates

This is your last chance to get signed up for The Phoenix, AZ - 3rd Wed. of each month/St. Joseph’s Hospital Legends Fantasy Camp taking place in Las Vegas 9/25-30. You won’t want to miss this once in a August 17 lifetime opportunity to play with the pros. September 21 and Ozzie Smith are your Hall of October 19 Fame Managers, with former All-Stars Bert November 16 Campaneris, Vince Coleman, Dave Bergman and Jon Warden serving as assistant December 21 coaches. Campers will be hosted at the luxurious Loews Lake Resort, where they For info contact - [email protected] will be treated like royalty, enjoying a lavish welcome reception, daily group breakfast, lunch and dinner, discounted spa services, full use of the fitness center, daily access to a beautiful golf resort whenever you feel the urge to tee it up, plus Raleigh, NC - 3rd Monday of each month/Duke Raleigh Hospital convenient access to the best Nevada boating, fishing, swimming and kayaking right outside your hotel window. Wednesday, September 28th, it’s a group day August 15 on the links as campers will swing their golf clubs instead of their baseball bats. September 19 So, grab your glove and dust off those cleats and get signed up for The Legends October 17 Fantasy Camp today. To become part of this exclusive group, contact Natalie November 14 Niekro at [email protected] /602-318-1013 or Jerry at [email protected]. December 19 For info contact - [email protected]

Participants will play at Cashman Field, home to the AAA . Kingwood, TX - 3rd Wed. of every other month/Kingwood Medical Center Registration deadline is Aug. 10th. September 21 November 16 Click here to register! For info contact - [email protected]

Text the word STRIKEOUT to 20222 and make a $10 donation to The Joe Niekro Foundation. Your STRIKEOUT will MAKE A DIFFERENCE!