Tim McGraw to Honor Those Who Make a Difference at Benefit in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (The Tug McGraw Foundation) - The Tug McGraw Foundation, a national organization that supports research to improve the quality of life for brain tumor patients and their families, will honor individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields on Friday, November 3, at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. The Foundation, founded by the charismatic former Phillies relief pitcher, Tug McGraw, before his death from a brain tumor in 2004, provides support for patients and caregivers, has raised more than $l million for brain tumor quality of life research, and created the Tug McGraw Research Center at Duke.

The Foundation's second annual fundraiser, "An Evening with Tim McGraw and Friends: Honoring Those Who Make a Difference," will be hosted by NBC sports anchor Bob Costas. There will be musical performances and appearances by Darius Rucker, of Hootie & the Blowfish; Trick Pony; and Trump Apprentice Kelly Perdew, among others. Tug's 1980 Phillies World Series teammates will also be on hand including Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and Phillies greats Bob Boone, Darren Daulton, John Kruk, Jim Thome, and Larry Christenson, among others. Special awards will also be presented to individuals who have made a difference, both personally and professionally. The award winners include: Phillies Chairman Bill Giles; Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau president Tom Muldoon; one of the leading brain tumor researchers, Dr. Darell Bigner, and Chicago White Sox First Baseman Jim Thome.

There will be a live and silent auction. Some of the items include a cruise on which Tim McGraw will make a performance appearance; a Willie Nelson signed guitar; a Roger Clemens signed jersey; a Mickey Mantle signed jersey; and a Hank Aaron signed baseball bat, to name a few. Guests can also try their hand at Texas Hold 'Em Poker with many of the celebrities during the cocktail portion of the event.

The Tug McGraw Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization based in Napa, California. It was founded by former major league baseball player Tug McGraw in 2003 to help brain tumor survivors and their families live well by funding quality of life research and raising public awareness about brain tumors. The Foundation has established the Tug McGraw Center for Quality of Life and Supportive Care Research in Neuro-Oncology at Duke University, provides grants for brain tumor research, and awards scholarships to college students who exemplify Tug's "Ya Gotta Believe" attitude.