KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Officials of The Pat Summitt Foundation announced today that Regal Entertainment Group, based in Knoxville, Tenn., has made the first corporate leadership gift this year toward the Foundation's fundraising campaign to establish the Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The Foundation's Advisory Board Chairman James A. Haslam II reported that Regal is contributing $50,000 toward the goal to raise $2.5 million over five years to launch the Clinic.
"Tyler and I are tremendously grateful to Regal Entertainment Group for this significant gift to the Foundation's campaign to help launch The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic here in Knoxville," said Pat Summitt. "With partners like Regal standing with us I have every confidence we'll reach and surpass the five year goal to raise $2.5 million to help support the Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center."
In an additional in-kind gift, Regal is airing a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and the Pat Summitt Foundation's mission on every Regal movie screen throughout the country through March 2015. Regal first aired the PSA in 2013, which features the Foundation's Advisory Board Honorary Co-Chairs, Kara Lawson and Peyton Manning appearing as spokespersons with Summitt.
"Regal is proud to lead the way in support of The Pat Summitt Foundation campaign to help establish The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic at the University of Tennessee Medical Center," said Regal Entertainment Group President and COO Greg Dunn. "Pat's efforts in this fight against Alzheimer's are an inspiration to us all and this Clinic will have a significant impact on delivery of services to East Tennessee patients and families along with new research through expanded clinical trials."
About The Pat Summitt Foundation
The Pat Summitt Foundation, a Fund of East Tennessee Foundation, was established by Pat Summitt in November 2011. Dedicated to winning the fight against Alzheimer's disease, its mission is to award grants to exemplary non-profit organizations that advance research for treatment and a cure, provide support for patients and caregivers, and educate the public on Alzheimer's disease. In January 2015, The Pat Summitt Foundation formed a strategic partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN to create The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic. The Foundation launched a 5-year, $2.5 million fundraising campaign to help establish the Clinic. To learn more please visit www.patsummitt.org, like us on Facebook.com/patsummittfoundation, and follow us on Twitter: @webackpat.
About The University of Tennessee Medical Center
The mission of The University of Tennessee Medical Center, the region's only hospital to achieve status as a Magnet® recognized organization, is to serve through healing, education and discovery. UT Medical Center, a 581-bed, not-for-profit academic medical center, serves as a referral center for Eastern Tennessee, Southeast Kentucky and Western North Carolina. The medical center, the region's only Level I Trauma Center, is one of the largest employers in Knoxville. For more information about The University of Tennessee Medical Center, visit online at www.utmedicalcenter.org.
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