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April 24, 2013

Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide Insurance continues to highlight Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children's Hospital alliance

Dublin, Ohio - The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance hosted today the third annual Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide Insurance, a unique, award-winning fundraiser to central Ohio that brings to life the alliance between the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children's Hospital. All proceeds of the Legends Luncheon directly benefit the young patients treated and cared for each day at Nationwide Children's.

The goal of the Luncheon is to increase awareness of and further advance the incredible care given in the most needed areas of Nationwide Children's. To that end, this year's Luncheon raised a record $550,000 for the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children's Hospital alliance. The 2013 amount equals more than the event raised in its first two years combined and brings the Luncheon's three year total to $1.1 million.

True to the heart of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance includes as one of its primary objectives a genuine, philanthropic vision. Embodied in the Memorial's longstanding partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital and enhanced by the recent alliance with Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, pediatric care is at the center of each campaign and event these entities jointly execute.

Third-year Tournament sponsor, Nationwide Insurance, shares a similar tradition of support for Nationwide Children's. Nationwide is committed to broadening the impact of its presenting sponsorship of the Memorial Tournament to bring greater awareness and increased funding to Nationwide Children's and to those who benefit the most - families and children in need of care.

Hosts of The Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide Insurance were Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, together with Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen and his wife, Cindy, and Nationwide Children's Hospital CEO, Steve Allen and his wife, Jamie. Luncheon guests experienced a charity event that is unique to Columbus, Ohio. Held at the Ohio Union on the campus of The Ohio State University, guests enjoyed a special conversation with Memorial Tournament Host and Founder Jack Nicklaus and 2002 Memorial Tournament winner and 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk. NBC and Golf Channel Host and 13-time Emmy Award winner Jimmy Roberts moderated this special discussion.

As a culmination of the Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide Insurance, an annual recognition award was presented in the name of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus. The "Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award" is to be given annually to a young citizen who in some way has demonstrated a strong, driving spirit in overcoming obstacles, an unwavering optimistic outlook, and a strong conviction for their connection to Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Whether it is by leadership in their community or simply personification of a strong spirit, a patient of Nationwide Children's Hospital can inspire not only their family and loved ones, but also the community that surrounds them. The Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award will honor the courage within that inspires volunteerism and community outreach and has a positive influence on others.

The conclusion of the Legends Luncheon was the moving presentation by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus of the Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award to Nationwide Children's Hospital patient Addie McGarry, 6, from Athens, Ohio.

In December of 2006 Addie was born at only 28 weeks. She weighed just two pounds, 10 ½ ounces and was 14 inches long. She spent the first 49 days of her life in the Memorial Tournament NICU at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She endured a feeding tube, a c-pap machine to provide oxygen to her tiny lungs, and dozens of IV medications. With a fiery spirit, the loving support of her family and the expert care of the dedicated staff at Nationwide Children's, Addie overcame all of the complications that can occur with prematurity. She is now a happy and healthy 6-year-old that loves dinosaurs and wants to be a paleontologist when she grows up.