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No. 58, who recently turned 48, has selected Hackensack University Medical Center’s Institute of Child Development as the 2010 beneficiary of proceeds from next Tuesday’s event to support research and treatment of autism.
Two children attending the institute are Ryan and Phillip Cohen, whose father was once Banks’ business partner.
Three months after they were diagnosed, their father, Michael Cohen, died of cancer. Banks quickly stepped in to help Cohen’s widow with the twins, becoming their self-appointed “uncle.”
“I’m interested in making life better for children with autism and their families,” said Banks, who has two Super Bowl rings with the Giants and does color for their games on the radio. “There are many kids in New Jersey with autism, and many of their families don’t have the resources to help improve their lives.
Along with raising money, Bank said: “I’m here to get the word out.”
The lineup also includes radio host Ed Lover, media celebs Maury Povich and Geraldo Rivera, and athletes familiar to New York-area sports fans: Besides Strawberry, Starks and Strahan, there’s NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson, former Knick shooting guard Alan Houston, and several unidentified members of the Giants (Tuesday is an off day).
The HUMC’s Institute for Child Development serves special needs infants, children and adolescents, providing healthcare services for those with developmental disabilities, speech disorders, hearing impairments, learning disabilities, attention disorders, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome and other chronic handicapping conditions.
Next Tuesday’s outing includes breakfast, 18 holes of championship golf, as well as high-stakes Texas Hold ‘Em poker for non-golfers, as well as treatments by Beyond Spa.
Golf entry fee: $350
Poker entry: $250
Prizes include autos, jewelry, electronics, travel and sports packages and many more raffle prizes.
For more information, or to reserve a spot, contact: Anne Chapman, or Wendell Haskins.
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