Joan Baez, James L. Dolan and Jane Pauley Honored for Extraordinary Efforts to Ensure Health and Well-Being of Children

Awards Presented at Children's Health Fund Benefit to Raise Urgently Needed Funds for Kids

NEW YORK, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, June 2, 2010, Joan Baez, James L. Dolan, and Jane Pauley will be honored by the Children's Health Fund (CHF) for their exceptional support of CHF—the nation's leading pediatric provider of mobile-based health care to homeless and low-income children and their families—and for efforts advocating for the health and well-being of children in the United States. The benefit will be held in New York City and will include a performance by CHF Co-Founder Paul Simon and honoree Joan Baez and a special appearance by NBC's Tom Brokaw.

At least 14 million children and youth in the U.S.—one in five—live in poverty, and often when people live in poverty, they struggle to get access to ongoing health care. CHF's mobile medical clinics go into underserved communities to bring ongoing health care to children at schools, community centers, homeless shelters and other places in the heart of the community. In addition to pediatric primary care providers, the CHF network consists of other dedicated health care professionals including dentists, mental health providers and nutritionists.

"In their own remarkable ways, all three of this year's awardees have supported the promotion of access to health care for children," said CHF Co-Founder and President, Irwin Redlener, MD. "Through their incredible support, they have helped Children's Health Fund programs provide essential health care to thousands of children and families across the country. It is my honor and privilege to be able to publicly recognize the efforts of our esteemed 2010 honorees."

Joan Baez

Activist, singer/songwriter and Good Will Ambassador, Joan Baez will receive CHF's Humanitarian Award for a lifetime of pioneering work on behalf of the rights of all people. While she is best known for her musical talent, anti-war efforts, and non violent solutions approach to conflict, her work as an advocate for providing health care for children and families is impressive. When in 1972, cuts to federal funding threatened to close the Lee County Cooperative Clinic (LCCC) and deprive thousands of children and families access to medical care, Baez traveled to Arkansas to witness the need firsthand and was moved to action. A few months later, she held a benefit concert raising the funds to save the clinic. This was just one example of Baez's ability to bring light to and create positive change for issues facing children and families in underserved communities.

"CHF and I hold the same ideals close to heart—that no child should be without the most basic right of health care," said Joan Baez. "It is a joy and an honor to accept CHF's Humanitarian Award, celebrate the accomplishments of Children's Health Fund, and look towards a future of bringing quality health care services to many more children and families."

James L. Dolan

President and CEO of Cablevision Systems Corporation and Executive Chairman of Madison Square Garden, James L. Dolan will receive CHF's prestigious Corporate Award for his support of CHF, most notably its post-Hurricane Katrina efforts. Mr. Dolan was the driving force behind the 2005 "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy," same night, dual benefit concerts at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall that raised nearly $9 million for Hurricane Katrina relief. Children's Health Fund, one of the beneficiaries of the money raised, used its proceeds to expand its fleet of mobile medical clinics in the Gulf region. The new programs enabled CHF to provide critical medical care for children immediately after Katrina hit in 2005, and they continue to thrive today, ensuring quality care for underserved communities.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized by Children's Health Fund, an outstanding organization that has made a difference in the lives of children and families across the country who are in desperate need of health care," said James L. Dolan. "It was a privilege to be able to help Paul Simon, Dr. Redlener and CHF create new clinics in response to Hurricane Katrina and we are equally delighted that nearly five years later those programs continue to deliver much-needed medical care to thousands of children."

Jane Pauley

With a television career spanning four decades, CHF Board Member and Chair CHF's Advisory Council, Jane Pauley, will receive CHF's Founders' Award in recognition of her twenty-two years of involvement with Children's Health Fund. Since 1988, Pauley has been one of CHF's most ardent and active supporters, providing guidance to and raising awareness and funds for CHF as the organization has expanded its National Network of programs throughout the country.

"I know the struggles that so many children and families in America face daily," said Jane Pauley. "I've seen first-hand the incredible work Children's Health Fund has been doing for the past 23 years, to bring much-needed medical care to those in need. I am extremely humbled and proud to receive CHF's Founders' Award, but more importantly, I am honored to have been a part of the CHF family for so many years and look forward to working with CHF for many more to come."

About Children's Health Fund

Founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener, MD, Children's Health Fund (CHF) is the nation's leading pediatric provider of mobile-based health care for homeless and low-income children and their families. CHF's mission is to bring health care directly to those in need through the development and support of innovative medical programs, response to public health crises, and the promotion of guaranteed access to health care for all children. CHF currently has 50 mobile medical clinics serving 200 locations across the country. For more information about CHF, visit www.childrenshealthfund.org.

SOURCE Children's Health Fund