Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Honors World Golf Hall of Fame Member Karrie Webb at 21st Annual "A Magical Evening Gala"

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Dec 01, 2011, 04:22 ET

Webb awarded the 2011 Christopher Reeve Spirit of Courage Award

SHORT HILLS, N.J., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation hosted its annual star-studded A Magical Evening fundraising gala last night at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Longtime Reeve Foundation supporters Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep served as the evening's special guests, along with actor Mark Ruffalo and Christopher Reeve's children Matthew Reeve, Alexandra Reeve Givens and Will Reeve.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100511/REEVELOGO)

LGPA star Karrie Webb was presented with the 2011 Christopher Reeve Spirit of Courage Award. A longtime friend and supporter of the Reeve Foundation, Karrie was recognized for her dedication to improving the lives of those living with paralysis. Over the past decade, Karrie has been a tremendous ambassador for the Reeve Foundation. Earlier this year, Karrie donated $100,000 of her LGPA Founders' Cup winnings to the Reeve Foundation.

Alexandra Reeve Givens stated, "Karrie has experienced first-hand just how inspiring someone living with a spinal cord injury can be." Her coach, Kelvin Haller, has been living with quadriplegia for two decades. Alexandra continued, "With Kelvin by her side, Karrie has become one of the greatest golfers in history. But as remarkable as Karrie's accomplishments on the golf course are, we believe that her greatest contributions have happened off the course."

Peter Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation said, "Karrie Webb is one of those special people who constantly reaffirms our belief that what we are doing is worthwhile, and will indeed change the world."

In her acceptance speech, Webb shared, "Although I only knew Christopher Reeve for a short while, I have known Kelvin Haller my whole life and for the last 21 years I have watched him live quietly and very courageously with paralysis. Kelvin not only coached and mentored me since I started playing golf, he has been an incredible inspiration to me throughout my career and life. It is because of him that I would ever have the honor of standing here tonight. My involvement with the Reeve Foundation has always been because of him and for him."

The evening's other award recipient was Peter D. Kiernan III, former Chairman of the Board of the Reeve Foundation, who led the foundation into a new era of hope and possibility. He was presented with the Dana Reeve HOPE Award for his vision, leadership, expert guidance and steadfast devotion despite the losses of both Christopher and Dana Reeve.

This year's A Magical Evening gala was the most successful to date, raising close to $3 million, which will help fulfill the Reeve Foundation's mission of "Today's Care. Tomorrow's Cure."

For more information, please visit ChristopherReeve.org/AME.

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. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.

SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation