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CarePlus Honors Former NY Giant, CTE Advocate At Garfield Gala

PARAMUS, N.J. -- The CarePlus Foundation is inviting the public to help it honor those who have shown "The Power to Change a Lifetime," its 18th Annual Courage Awards Gala, on Wednesday, June 8, at the Venetian.

Former Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall, an equity owner of The Original Soupman, will be honored at CarePlus' Courage Awards Gala on June 8.

Former Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall, an equity owner of The Original Soupman, will be honored at CarePlus' Courage Awards Gala on June 8.

 Photo Credit: Anthony Locicero
Leonard Marshall meets with children during the week leading up to Super Bowl 50.

Leonard Marshall meets with children during the week leading up to Super Bowl 50.

 Photo Credit: contributed
The Venetian

The Venetian

 Photo Credit: Pinterest
Rachel Martin

The event includes a cocktail hour, dinner, live and silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle and more. It's the organization's largest fundraiser. It celebrates those who work tirelessly to advocate for mental health and raises funds for scholarships, housing and medication assistance, addiction services, child abuse intervention, and more.

This year's honorees include

  • Leonard Marshall Jr., former NFL defensive lineman and advocate about chronic traumatic encephalopathy;
  • Thomas Rosamilia, VP of Behavioral Health Services at Bergen Regional Medical Center;
  • Ron Weaver, longtime supporter of CarePlus and owner of Accredited Lock Supply; and
  • Dr. John Bostrom, Compassionate Care Award recipient.

Marshall spent 12 seasons in the NFL and a Giants defensive end for 10. He was a starter in the Giants' Super Bowl XXI and XXV victories. Unfortunately, traumatic brain injury came with that success, but his struggle with CTE inspired him to become an advocate.

"A lot of us who have experienced this disease firsthand are doing our best to pay it forward," explained Marshall. A lot of individuals and families are seeking knowledge about traumatic brain injury and cognitive disabilities, he added.

And many don't have a diagnosis. "The attributes associated with cognitive disabilities are intense," Marshall said. "There are some really tragic endings to these stories. That's why it's so important to be aware and catch it early."

He's had great success off-field as well. He gives back and is a part of the local community, as a professor of finance and sports management at Seton Hall, a coach for Paramus Catholic High School and more. For more information about Marshall's off-field activities, read this February Daily Voice article.

Individual tickets are $175, and tables of 10 are $1,500. The Foundation seeks dinner guests, sponsors and auction donations.

Buy tickets here. For more information about sponsorships, click here or call 201-986-5070. The Venetian is located at 546 River Rd., in Garfield.

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