Rocky Bleier to Visit 107-Year Old Fan Through PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®
Gibsonia, Pa. - Dec. 5, 2006 - It's no secret that retired NFL players enjoy meeting old fans, but legendary Steelers running back Rocky Bleier will take that to a new level when he visits Hilda Rex, a 107-year-old patient at Rochester Manor, 174 Virginia Ave. Bleier's visit at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, is arranged through PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®, which this year is creating smiles for 22,548 long-term care patients.
Bleier will spend time with Mrs. Rex and give her some gifts. Mrs. Rex is a long-time Steelers fan who indicated on her PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® wish list that she dreams of meeting a current or former Steeler. She fondly remembers the Steelers' Dynasty Era of the 1970s and is especially thrilled to meet a player who was such an integral part of the team.
Mrs. Rex could very well be the oldest Steeler fan. A timeline of her life and the history of the Steelers' includes:
- Oct. 12, 1899 - Hilda Carney is born in Moundsville, W.Va. The family moves to Rochester in 1908. She graduates as valedictorian of Rochester High School, attends Geneva College and Business School and works in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad at the Conway Yards.
- 1920 - Hilda votes in the first presidential election that women can participate in. She has voted in every presidential election since.
- 1922 - The National Football League is formed from the American Professional Football Association.
- 1933 - Art Rooney Sr. founds the Pittsburgh Steelers. By this time, Hilda has married Joseph T. Rex in 1921 and has had four children. Throughout her life, Hilda is active as a seamstress and poet. She participates in numerous community and church organizations and has many adventures, including riding in a hot air balloon.
- 1975 - The Steelers, with Rocky Bleier as running back, win Super Bowl IX. Hilda is 76 years old and watches every minute of that game and their next three Super Bowls.
- 2006 - Hilda cheers the 2005 Steelers to their Super Bowl victory. She is now widowed and has eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She says her secret to longevity is happiness.
Bleier's story is one of the most compelling in the NFL. He served in the Vietnam War and lost part of his foot in a combat injury. Nonetheless, he went on to become one of the Steelers' top leading ground gainers during his 12-year NFL career. He passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in one season and contributed to four Super Bowl victories. The story of Bleier's battle to overcome his injuries and return to the Pittsburgh Steelers is described in his book, "Fighting Back," and was recreated in a TV movie. Today, Bleier is a motivational speaker and supports many charitable causes, including PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®.
Bleier's visit to Hilda is just one example of the 22,548 gifts and visits that are being arranged this Christmas season by PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®. Two-hundred seventy-two nursing homes and personal care homes throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, West Virginia and Tennessee have enrolled their patients in the 23rd annual campaign.
PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® was founded in 1984 by William V. Day, president of St. Barnabas Health System. His mission was to help patients combat the loneliness they often feel during the holidays. Additionally, Day wanted to encourage members of the public to visit their local long-term care facilities so they could witness firsthand the acts of goodwill and compassion that occur every day.
At the beginning of each campaign, patients are asked what they would like for Christmas. Requests range from the unusual - a helicopter ride - to the simple - slippers, sweaters and lotion. When individuals or groups sign up to participate in PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®, they are provided with the name, address and phone number of a nearby participating facility; the first name of their patients; and each patient's three gift requests to make shopping easy. Regardless of the gift requests, the most important element of each PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS® "adoption" is connecting a patient with a new visitor, creating a smile. For information on getting involved with PRESENTS FOR PATIENTS®, call (724) 443-0011 or visit www.PRESENTSFORPATIENTS.com.
Contact:
Kathleen Brenneman
(724) 444-5530
kbrenneman@stbarnabashealthsystem.com
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