Marie Cavallo, Ph.D., President, BIANYS Board of Directors, Rosemarie DiSalvo and Joanne Miller of DiSalvo Interiors, accepting the "Corporate Champion Award." Rosemarie and Annemarie DiSalvo, the mother-daughter team behind DiSalvo Interiors, were honored at the 26th Annual Conference of the Brain Injury Association on New York State (BIANYS) held recently in Albany, NY. The DiSalvos received the Corporate Champion Award which is given to an organization whose actions have demonstrated unfailing commitment to the highest standards of truth, justice and accountability while striving to ensure rights, safety and quality of life for all persons affected by brain injury.

The DiSalvo Family was thrown into the unfamiliar and difficult world of brain injury when an explosion at the World Trade Center sent their cousin into a coma earlier last summer. They received support and information from many quarters and understood the vital role BIANYS plays in assisting families and individuals with brain injury. As their loved one has improved, they became committed to giving back to the community by holding a benefit. The event, held at DiSalvo Interiors showroom in November 2007, raised over $40,000 to benefit BIANYS. "I was honored to receive the award on behalf of everyone at DiSalvo Interiors," said Rosemarie DiSalvo. "The real heroes are the individuals and their families who have survived a traumatic brain injury. We will continue to make every effort to bring awareness of the tragedies and miracles that are happening every day to the many people who suffer brain injuries."

Since 1982, BIANYS has worked to help meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families, and to educate the public and policy makers about brain injury and its prevention. BIANYS strives to fulfill this mission through an array of programs and services. Visit www.bianys.org for details.

Rosemarie and Annemarie DiSalvo are currently working with BIANYS to launch the "Journey of Hope" Gala scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NY. The "Journey of Hope" Gala is the first major fund raising event for BIANYS and will feature a lavish cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and awards. Film and television stars Penny Marshall and Lorraine Bracco are serving as Honorary Co-Chairs. For more information, contact Legendary Events, Inc., 516-222-0550.