MEDIA ADVISORY - Rick Hansen to re-visit Jordan and Israel as part of 25th
Anniversary Activities

Will recognize Jordanian Royal Family, sign spinal cord registry, visit Terry Fox Memorial

VANCOUVER, Nov. 26 /CNW/ - To commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of his Man In Motion World Tour, and to recognize outstanding international achievements in the areas of finding a cure for spinal cord injuries and creating accessible communities, Rick Hansen will begin his first of four international engagement trips taking place until mid-2011.  This first trip will begin in Amman, Jordan and conclude in Jerusalem, Israel. 

With the objective of furthering international partnerships, announcing a collaborative international agreement in regards to the Rick Hansen Institute's spinal cord registry and recognizing and inspiring the world's next generation of difference makers, the middle-Eastern component of the Rick Hansen Foundation's international program will continue Rick's dream of inspiring change in others. 

Itinerary (Confirmed to date, but subject to change):
Please Note: all times below are approximate, and based off of Jordan and Israel local time [10 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST), and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST)]. 

Tuesday, November 30, 2010 (Amman, Jordan)

• 18:00: Difference Maker Award presentation and reception for His Royal Highness Prince Ra'ad bin Zeid of Jordan, at the Official Residence of Mark Gwozdecky, Canadian Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
• Located at 26 Princess Alia bint Al-Hussein Street
• Media are required to arrive by 18:00
• Event to begin at 18:30
• NOTE TO EDITORS: All media outlets interested in attending are required to provide names, equipment information and passport numbers to John Gibson ([email protected]) no later than Sunday, November 28, 2010.
• Rick Hansen will be available for interviews following the award portion of the evening.

Thursday, December 2, 2010 (Jerusalem, Israel)

• 10:30: Rick Hansen to visit Institute of Medical Research Israel Canada (IMRIC) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to sign the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry. Located at Ein Kerem Campus.
• Media are asked to arrive by 10:00.
• NOTE TO EDITORS: media who will attend are asked to send names, contact details, equipment information and license plate numbers to Orti Sulitzeanu ([email protected]), Naomi Mizrahi ([email protected]) and John Gibson ([email protected]).
• Parking/Directions: Naomi Mizrahi (054-882-0735).
• Interviews post-signing will include:
• Rick Hansen, President and CEO, Rick Hansen Foundation
• Dr. Marcel Dvorak, Medical Director, Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry
• Carmi Gilon, Vice President, External Affairs, Hebrew University
• 12:15 to 12:30: Rick Hansen to visit the Terry Fox Memorial, at the Liberty Bell Park (Gan HaPaamon) located at the apex of Jabotinsky Street, Derech Beit Lechem and King David Street.
• NOTE TO EDITORS: outlets interested are asked to confirm with John Gibson ([email protected]) in advance. Rick will be available for photos and comments.
• 18:00: Evening reception and presentation of Rick Hansen Difference Maker Awards at Hebrew University, located at Mt. Scopus Campus.
• Media are asked to arrive by 17:30.
• NOTE TO EDITORS: media who will attend are asked to send names, contact details, equipment information and license plate numbers to Orti Sulitzeanu ([email protected]), Naomi Mizrahi ([email protected]) and John Gibson ([email protected]).
• Parking/Directions: Naomi Mizrahi (054-882-0735).
• In Attendance:
• Rick Hansen, President and CEO, Rick Hansen Foundation
• Yuval Wagner, Chairman and Founder of Access Israel - Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award recipient
• Dr. Aharony Lev Toy, Professor of Neurobiology, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award recipient
• Dr. Marcel Dvorak, Medical Director, Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry
• Bill Barrable, CEO, Rick Hansen Institute
• Carmi Gillon, Vice President, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Professor Barak Medina, Dean of the Faculty of Law, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
• Sharon Sionov, Director, the Israel Justice Centre

Media Assets

• Media releases will be scheduled for end-of-day Jordan/Israel time on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 and Thursday, December 2, 2010.
• Footage: Accompanying scheduled media releases will be broadcast quality b-roll video clips, including interviews, as well as high-resolution photographs. Information on how to access assets will be included in each media release.
• Biographies on individuals involved (including those being honoured as Rick Hansen Difference Makers) will be available on the media centre backgrounder page at www.rickhansen.com.

About the Rick Hansen Foundation:
The Rick Hansen Foundation is a registered charitable organization that provides leadership to create more accessible and inclusive communities for people with a spinal cord injury, and supports the search for a cure. The Foundation achieves its goals by connecting the people and resources that make innovation possible. Please visit www.rickhansen.com for more information.

About the Rick Hansen Foundation's 25^th Anniversary:
The Rick Hansen Foundation is currently celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of Rick Hansen's Man In Motion World Tour, and the extraordinary progress that has been made in the fields of accessibility and spinal cord injury advancement since. Over the two year anniversary period (March 21, 2010 - May 22, 2012) a number of programs and events will be unveiled to inspire others to dream big, recognize difference makers, create lasting and sustainable legacies and change the world, one good turn at a time.

About the Rick Hansen Institute:
The Rick Hansen Institute (RHI), formerly the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions Network (SCISN), is a Canada-wide collaboration of researchers, health care professionals and service providers, all committed to improving the outcomes for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) - through research, identification and implementation of best practices, and providing solutions through community partnerships. RHI's role is to help influence all elements of the innovation system for SCI treatment, care and other services through three core areas: translational research, best practice implementation and The Rick Hansen SCI Registry. Please visit www.rickhanseninstitute.org for more information.

For further information: