NEW YORK, May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MDC Partners announced today that it has presented the Global Medical Relief Fund, GMRF, with its 2013 MDC Partners Humanitarian Award, recognizing groundbreaking, entrepreneurial innovation in support of humanitarian efforts. The $20,000 award, in its third year, was presented today by Chairman and CEO of MDC Partners Miles Nadal during the fifth annual WIRED Business Conference: Think Bigger, in partnership with MDC Partners. Elissa Montanti accepted on behalf of GMRF, the organization she founded in 1997.

"The Global Medical Relief Fund is a small foundation with big ambitions, a big heart and big impact," said Nadal.  "With little money and no training in humantarian relief, Elissa dared to Think Bigger in order to make a difference in the lives of children around the world.  That entrepreneurial spirit is the force we celebrate and empower at MDC Partners.  We, like Elissa, believe that talent knows no borders, and that transformational change can be achieved when individuals – in business and in life – dare to dream big."  

The Global Medical Relief Fund is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation, whose mission is to aid children who are missing or have lost the use of limbs or eyes, have been severely burned, or have been injured due to war, natural disaster or illness. Since its founding in 1997, GMRF has brought more than 100 children to the U.S. from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia to receive cutting-edge healthcare treatments in surgery, prosthetics and rehabilitation. Through its work, GMRF not only changes the lives of these children, but spreads global, cross-cultural understanding, awareness, compassion.

"It's a great honor to be recognized by MDC Partners," said Montanti. "The idea of Thinking Bigger is not just the theme of this inspirational conference, it is the foundation of GMRF's mission.  Last year, that drive allowed us to establish a home for the wounded children we serve to feel safe in while getting treatment in the U.S.  With this award, we will be able to outfit the home with top-of-the-line technology so that these multinational children can continue to grow. learn, and connect with their peers as well as their loved ones back home.  We are thrilled that MDC is supporting us in one of the most important investments our world can make towards our future: our children. On behalf of all the GMRF children, thank you for your support."

About Global Medical Relief Fund

Global Medical Relief Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan organization that aids children who have lost the use of limbs or eyes or who have been injured due to war, natural disaster or illness.  Since 1997, the GMRF has changed the lives of more than 150 seriously injured children from 22 countries by facilitating medical procedures and rehabilitation services through its network of partners.  The organization provides children and their families with a place to live, love and heal together at the GMRF House on Staten Island.  For more information visit http://www.gmrfchildren.org

About MDC Partners Inc.

MDC Partners is one of the world's largest Business Transformation Organizations that utilizes technology, marketing communications, data analytics, insights and strategic consulting solutions to drive meaningful returns on Marketing and Communications Investments for multinational clients in the United States, Canada, Europe, and worldwide. 

MDC Partners' durable competitive advantage is to Empower the Most Talented Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders to Drive Business Success to new levels of Achievement, for both our Clients and our Shareholders, reinforcing MDC Partners' reputation as "The Place Where Great Talent Lives."

MDC Partners' Class A shares are publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "MDCA" and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MDZ.A".

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SOURCE MDC Partners Inc.