Media Advisory                                                 March 8, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS
Golisano Foundation |  Dalmath Associates (585) 586-6650
  Jean Dalmath ( 585) 755-6911 |  Amanda Antinore (585) 729-7533
Special  Olympics |  Stephanie Corkett (202) 715-1148
Golisano Foundation Director Ann Costello to Present  First Ever Golisano Global Health Leadership Awards to Seven for Exceptional Global Health Work at Special Olympics World Games in Austria 

Ceremony Will Honor Leaders in Healthcare who are Increasing 
Access to Health Care for People with Intellectual Disabilities 
throughout the World. 
 
WHEN:
Sunday, March 19 at 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
                                   
WHERE:

WHO:               
The Golisano Foundation and Special Olympics will honor seven healthcare organizations and professionals from around the world who are breaking down the barriers and creating access to health care for the most marginalized on earth, people with intellectual disabilities. Honorees to be announced at a ceremony in Schladming, Austria at the 2017 Special Olympics Winter World Games.

NOTE TO EDITORS: 
Ann Costello will be available for interviews Wednesday March 7 prior to arriving in Austria.  
On March 19 - Interview opportunities will be available with the Golisano Global Health Leadership Award Honorees, with Golisano Foundation Executive Director, Ann Costello, and Special Olympics Leadership. A link to press materials will be sent after the press conference. 
 
WHAT:
The Golisano Foundation, one of the largest private foundations dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities, along with Special Olympics, the largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), will honor seven recipients of the first-ever Golisano Global Health Leadership Awards.
 
The award is Special Olympics' highest honor for health partners and individuals. It was created to recognize healthcare champions who are on the front lines in their communities making extraordinary efforts and contributions to Special Olympics Health programs, promoting inclusive healthcare, wellness, and fitness for people with intellectual disabilities.
 
Special Olympics' global health program is made possible with the support of American philanthropist Tom Golisano and his foundation, and many other partners.  
 
For millions of people with intellectual disabilities (ID), access to basic health care is a major challenge. Through its fitness and wellness programs and partnerships with the Golisano Foundation, global partners, governments and policy-making organizations, Special Olympics is paving the way for inclusive health around the world. Special Olympics Healthy Athletes offers free health exams and health education to athletes, and training to health professionals at Special Olympics events. Special Olympics Healthy Communities is expanding unprecedented year-round access to quality health care in people's communities.

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Since 2012, Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation have donated $37 million to Special Olympics Global Health to launch and expand Healthy Communities around the world. The model program addresses the severe health disparities faced by people with intellectual disabilities through immediate and long-term solutions. Since 2012, eighty (80) programs have been established around the world, on every continent, that are  creating year-round access to quality health care. The goal has been set of having 100 locations recognized as Healthy Communities by 2020.