Top-Ranked Philadelphia Charity HelpHOPELive Appoints David Bakelman as CEO

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization engaging communities in fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness, announced today the appointment of David Bakelman as its new chief executive officer.

"David's vast experience working with nonprofits and serving the transplant community make him an ideal fit for HelpHOPELive as we look to expand our mission of helping patients and families develop successful fundraising campaigns to cover unmet medical expenses," said Arthur Rainey, board chair of HelpHOPELive. "We are excited to welcome him to our organization as we build on our legacy of community service and ranking as Charity Navigator's top Philadelphia-area charity."

Mr. Bakelman previously served eight years as executive director of the Georgia Transplant Foundation where he expanded fundraising activities, tripling the amount of patient/program grants from $600,000 to $1.8 million. He was instrumental in the passing of the Georgia Living Donor Tax Credit in 2004, the first piece of legislation of its kind in the nation. Mr. Bakelman also executed all operations of an $81 million fundraising effort for the fourth largest United Way campaign in the nation during his tenure as chief fundraising executive at the United Way of Metro Atlanta.

"I look forward to working with the board and staff as well as our clients and their families to help offset the burden of medical expenses during a time of crisis," said David Bakelman, chief executive officer of HelpHOPELive. "In the years ahead we plan to expand our reach across the United States, bringing our services to more patient populations and continuing HelpHOPELive's legacy of supporting thousands of families who have been impacted by a transplant or severe illness or injury."

Prior to his appointment as CEO of HelpHOPELive, Mr. Bakelman also served as president of the Magic Wand Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people. Under his leadership, the international foundation began a $1.2 million fundraising campaign and increased attendance and tuition assistance for its annual international youth conference.

Over the past 30 years campaigns organized by HelpHOPELive have raised nearly $100 million to cover patient expenses. It has been awarded 10 consecutive four-star ratings for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency by Charity Navigator.

HelpHOPELive will hold its annual benefit event on September 17, 2014 at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and will present its annual Help, HOPE and Live awards honoring three community heroes. This year's HOPE award will be presented by Villanova head football coach Andy Talley. For information on how to donate to HelpHOPELive, click here.

About HelpHOPELive

HelpHOPELive is a national nonprofit engaging communities in fundraising to help patients and families ease the financial burden of a medical crisis. For more than 30 years HelpHOPELive has been showing community volunteers how to bring together a network of relatives, friends and neighbors in fundraising efforts to help cover the costs of uninsured medical expenses. Since its inception in 1983, HelpHOPELive has helped thousands of people raise millions of dollars to cover a wide range of medical expenses including out-of-pocket costs for transplants, catastrophic injuries and illnesses. As a nonprofit, the financial support provided to patients and their families does not jeopardize their medical coverage status, and contributions are tax deductible to members of the community who support these efforts. For more information, visit www.helphopelive.org, visit the HelpHOPELive Facebook page, and follow @HelpHOPELiveorg on Twitter.

Media Contact:

Adam Daley
Berry & Company Public Relations
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SOURCE HelpHOPELive