The 'Mane' Event - Audio

2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels visited pediatric patients at Kravis Children's Hospital in New York and across the COURAGE Network on December 10, 2023. Here are highlights of that visit!

Henry Diltz has produced images for more than 250 album covers. He was the official photographer for the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969 and the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. He also chronicled the Laurel Canyon music scene in the 1960's and 70's. His story is as historic as it is inspiring!

Angel Athenas has overcome ADHD, Autism and other medical issues to become a champion powerlifter representing the U.S. in the Special Olympics and the World Games. Along the way, she has been befriended by superstars from MMA and the WWE.  Her story is inspirational and educational.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams was selected as the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner. Hours after his selection, he met with pediatric patients at Kravis Children's Hospital at Mount Sinai in NYC.

'Splashes of Hope' was founded by Heather Buggee in memory of a friend who had spent considerable time in a hospital. Heather believed that positive imagery would improve a patient's outcome and support the healing process. Her group's art installations are now in healthcare facilities across all 50 states, brightening each patient's day!

Sally Ride became the first American woman astronaut in 1983 when she flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger. She was inspired to start a namesake school in California to promote STEM education for young girls and boys. In 2022, a statue was raised in her memory at The Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island.

Liz Schafer is a volunteer artist for a not-for-profit called Splashes of Hope. The group specializes in painting murals in healthcare facilities to brighten the spirits of patients. What makes Liz's story truly unique and inspirational is that she was born with albinism and is legally blind!

In November 2010, Cammi Granato, after winning a gold medal at Nagano was one of the first woman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. She was recently named assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. Her children's book, "I Can Play Too," is both inspirational and timely.

Lisa Bowes is a longtime sportscaster who has covered women's hockey and basketball for CBC and TSN in Canada. She is also the author of a series of children's books that focus on a healthy and active lifestyle. The stories in the "Lucy Tries Sports" series also promote positive messages of inclusion, perseverance and emotional development.

Tommy Mazur was a healthy 7th grader when he contracted leukemia. How his family, friends and faith helped him rally to a full recovery 5 years later is a motivator for us all.

Like many, at the age of 4, Richard Torrey started doodling with a sketch pad and pencil. Unlike most, he parlayed that love for illustrations and story-telling into an award-winning career as a syndicated cartoonist, children's author and illustrator. His story of meeting the immortal Charles Schulz, of providing illustrations for Disney, King Features and The National, and even drinking from the Stanley Cup are brilliant!

Jimmy Tubbs is a puppy walker for the Guide Dog Association. When he trained "Radar," he had no idea how the lab would change his life and how the recipient of the guide dog would go on to such notoriety! 

Robert Anthony Rodriguez was born with fibular hemimelia and had his right leg amputated below the knee at just 10 months old. Additional personal tragedies did not deter Robert as he grew up as a gifted athlete and positive role model. He plays for the USA Amputee soccer team, is a sled hockey player and now a Paratriathlete!

Born with a congenital heart defect - hypoplastic left heart syndrome - 10-year-old Jack Foley essentially has half of a heart. Doctors cautioned his parents that Jack might not survive, and that he likely would be VERY limited in his physical activity.

But with the support of a great network of doctors and family, "Super Jack" has proven them all wrong!

Daniela Ciriello is a 9-year-old from Plainfield, CT who requires monthly transfusions to treat her Cooley's Anemia. Through an extraordinary group - Team Impact - she was 'adopted' by the women's basketball team at the University of Connecticut. Enjoy their inspirational story!