TV personality headlines fundraiser for Health First's Leeza's Place

Saturday, February 26, 2011

4:45 pm - Gibbons media availability, 5:30 pm - Cocktails and fundraiser event

The Eau Gallie Yacht Club, 100 Datura Drive, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937

ROCKLEDGE, FL - Television personality and radio talk show host Leeza Gibbons will headline a special event to be held on Saturday, February 26, at the Eau Gallie Yacht Club, 100 Datura Drive in Indian Harbour Beach.

The fundraiser will raise money for Health First's Leeza's Place. The first such facility in the state of Florida, Health First Leeza's Place is a community-centered resource center in Melbourne offering programs to educate, empower, and energize both caregivers and those recently diagnosed with any memory disorder.

After the loss of her grandmother from Alzheimer's and the diagnosis of her mother with this degenerative disease that affects brain functioning and loss of memory, noted television and radio host Leeza Gibbons and her family created The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation to meet the growing needs of those impacted by memory disorders. Health First Leeza's Place provides an intimate and safe community-based setting where those affected by memory disorders can gather to prepare for the challenging journey ahead.

"From the beginning, my family's fight against Alzheimer's disease had been fueled by my mother's courageous insistence to inform, educate, and heal the patient, caregiver, and community," said Gibbons. "We've created a stigma-free environment to begin to help those feeling alone, frustrated, and frightened by this thief of memories. There is life after diagnosis."

Funds raised at this special event will allow Health First's Leezaâ??s Place to expand services to the Central Florida community, including outreach efforts at local hospitals, and providing additional caregiver training, among other services.

Programs at Health First Leeza's Place are the direct result of listening to and understanding the needs, values, pressures, and goals of caregivers and their loved ones.