Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Applauds Board Member Kelly Heneghan On Receiving '40 Under 40' Irish Echo Award

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Feb 26, 2013, 03:57 ET

SHORT HILLS, N.J., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is proud to announce a member of its Board of Directors, Kelly Heneghan, Esq., has received a Top 40 Under 40 award from The Irish Echo. The 6^th annual Irish Top 40 Under 40 spotlights the up-and-coming leaders of Irish descent from around the nation who work in a variety of fields and occupations. Heneghan was awarded The Giving Back award for her work with the Reeve Foundation.

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Heneghan has been a member of the Reeve Foundation's Board of Directors since 2009, more recently becoming a member of its Executive Committee. Her brother Jon is also a member of the Board; they founded and operate NextSteps Chicago, a Reeve Foundation's NRN Community Fitness and Wellness (CFW) facility in Willow Springs, IL. NextSteps is also a Reeve Foundation Peer & Family Support Program partner.

"With the leadership of Kelly Heneghan and Jon O'Connor and a dedicated cadre of volunteers and supporters, the Reeve Foundation's Chicago committee has helped raise over $1 million in support of our mission over the past five years," said Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. "The Reeve Foundation is thrilled to have Kelly as part of our governance; her admirable dedication is well-deserved of this honor."

"Kelly epitomizes the generosity and grit of a new generation of Irish Americans who are determined to leave their mark on America," said Mairtin O'Muilleoir, Irish Echo publisher. "Through her work for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and NextSteps Chicago, she is changing lives and inspiring others, making her a worthy recipient of our Giving Back Award."

The Giving Back award was presented by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, a State Assemblyman in New York. Kelly's husband, Patrick, was previously honored in 2010 with an Irish Top 40 Under 40 award as well.

To learn more about the Irish 40 Under 40, visit www.irishecho.com. To learn more about NextSteps Chicago, please visit www.nextstepschicago.org.

About the 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. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB's Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation