CNN Honors the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

CNN announced today in a press release that it's inaugural CNN Heroes Award will be presented to The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for its tireless work in the field of spinal cord injuries. Click here for full text

CNN Honors Reeve Foundation with First CNN Heroes’ Hero Award

Network Offers Cross-Platform Programming for Special Night of ‘CNN Heroes’ Tributes on Thursday, Dec. 6

CNN honors the legacy of Christopher and Dana Reeve and their foundation dedicated to paralysis sufferers with the inaugural CNN Heroes’ Hero Award. This award – to be presented at the first annual “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” on Thursday, Dec. 6 – was created to recognize individuals who devoted their lives to helping others and whose names have become synonymous with their causes.

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. The couple formed the foundation after Christopher Reeve’s tragic horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

“When Christopher Reeve moved his fingers five years after he was told they would never move again, he was really pointing the way for all of us to follow,” said Peter D. Kiernan, the foundation’s chairman. “The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation accepts the wonderful Heroes’ Hero honor from CNN with great thanks and an ironclad commitment to follow the path that Chris and Dana identified.”

Reeve died in 2004, and Dana Reeve died two years later following complications from lung cancer.

“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” is the culmination of a five-month audience nomination process through which ordinary people will be recognized for accomplishing extraordinary deeds. Hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Christiane Amanpour at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” will air live globally on CNN/U.S., CNN International and CNN en Español on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 9 p.m. (ET).

From May 1 through September, CNN Worldwide has featured everyday heroes across its television networks, digital services and at www.CNN.com/Heroes, encouraging viewers to submit and nominate local heroes they deem deserving of recognition as a CNN Hero. For the Dec. 6 gala, honorees will be named in the following categories: “Defending the Planet,” “Fighting for Justice,” “Community Crusader,” “Medical Marvel,” “Championing Children” and “Young Wonder.”

In its first year of the CNN Heroes initiative, CNN received more than 7,000 nominations from viewers in 80 countries, nominating people from more than 90 countries.

Leading up to the global telecast, Headline News will present a special edition of Showbiz Tonight, live from the museum, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ET). Hosted by anchors A.J. Hammer and Brooke Anderson, Showbiz Tonight will feature profiles of CNN heroes, compelling stories of celebrities who have taken up the cause of real-life heroes around the work and live interviews with stars arriving for the tribute, including a special appearance by Masi Oka of the hit NBC show Heroes.

Online, correspondent Alina Cho will provide live coverage for CNN.com as well as provide interviews and videos.

Following the telecast, Cooper will remain on the air to anchor Anderson Cooper 360° live from the museum until midnight. (ET)

Honorees will be announced at the Dec. 6 gala at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, which will include performances from Grammy Award winners Mary J. Blige and Sheryl Crow and a duet by Grammy Award winner Norah Jones and acclaimed performer-producer Wyclef Jean. Presenters will include Tyra Banks, Glenn Close, Harry Connick, Jr., Rosario Dawson, LL Cool J, Kyra Sedgwick and Jimmy Smits.

Joel Gallen, who has helmed ambitious telethon events supporting victims of both the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, serves as executive producer for the event. Gallen won a Peabody Award for “America: A Tribute to Heroes” and has been nominated for several Emmys throughout his career. Kelly Flynn is senior executive producer for the CNN Heroes initiative.

In other news...

CNN has hired Carl Bernstein as a political analyst for the upcoming presidential election season. Jon Klein announced today that Mr. Bernstein will lend his political analysis to all of the CNN programs as well as election coverage.

Mr. Bernstein has a busy two months ahead of him. CNN's debate schedule for the next two months shakes out like this: (Source: Election Center 2008, CNN.com)

• December 17: Boston, Massachusetts

• January 21: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• January 30: Simi Valley, California

• January 31: Los Angeles, California

Co-sponsors include: Politico (Dec. 17, Jan. 30), Congressional Black Caucus (Jan. 21), Los Angeles Times (Jan. 30-31).