Hugh McDonald Bass Player for Bon Jovi To Be Honorary Chairperson For Salt Lake City Walk4Hearing
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) has announced musician Hugh McDonald as the Honorary Chairperson for the Salt Lake City Walk4Hearing on Saturday, October 15, 2011. The Walk4Hearing, produced by the HLAA, is the largest series of walks for hearing loss in America. Every year thousands of walkers of all ages form teams and walk in their communities to raise money for programs and services for people with hearing loss, and to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss, and raise public awareness about the need for prevention, treatment, and regular screenings throughout life.
Each year, the local volunteer organizing committee recruits a local public figure to serve as Honorary Chairperson to lead walkers by personal example, recruit teams, fundraise and help build awareness about the walk to families, professionals, and organizations in Salt Lake City.
For 2011, session musician and Bon Jovi bassist Hugh McDonald has been announced to serve as Honorary Chairperson. “Hearing loss is not only a reality of being a professional musician but our performances can also impact our fans and audiences,” said Hugh McDonald. “I am excited about the opportunity to bring awareness to people of all ages about what resources are available to those with hearing loss and what can be done to prevent hearing loss.”
Commenting on the announcement, Robin Traveller, Co-Chair noted, “Last year’s Walk4Hearing enjoyed tremendous support from our community. There is a lot of excitement about holding this event again. We are looking forward to Hugh’s support in reaching out to our community even more to recruit teams and raise funds for this very important issue.”
The Salt Lake City Walk4Hearing will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Sugar House Park. To register and donate visit www.walk4hearing.org. For more information or to volunteer, contact Walk Co-Chairs Robin Traveller 801.657.5752, [email protected] or Chelle George, [email protected].
About Hugh McDonald
About Hugh McDonald
Hugh McDonald is a well known session musician and bassist. He has played with many artists, both live and in the studio. Hugh was one of the studio musicians that recorded Bon Jovi’s original first demo for the song “Runaway”, and he has appeared on most Bon Jovi albums. He has also appeared on Jon Bon Jovi’s solo album Destination Anywhere and was part of Jon’s backing group, “The Big Dogs.” He has recorded with Willie Nelson, Richie Sambora, Steve Goodman, Ringo Starr, Bon Jovi, Lita Ford, Michael Bolton, Cher, Alice Cooper and others. He is currently working with Bon Jovi and has been doing so since Alec John Such’s departure after Cross Road was released in 1994. In 2004 he married Kelli, a former horse trainer from Utah. Kelli now designs jewelry, under her line Saintly Edge.
About the Walk4Hearing
About the Walk4Hearing
The Walk4Hearing is the largest walk for hearing in America. Every spring and fall thousands of walkers children and their families, young adults, young at heart, and everyone in between form teams and walk in their communities to raise money for programs and services for people with hearing loss and to increase public awareness. They walk together with hearing health providers, hearing device manufacturers and members in the medical field who believe in the cause and organize teams to fundraise for programs that make life better for people with hearing loss.
About the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s leading organization representing people with hearing loss. According to the National Center for Health Statistics 36 million (17 percent) of Americans have some degree of hearing loss making it a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis.
HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss. HLAA is working to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss and raise public awareness about the need for prevention, treatment, and regular screenings throughout life.
HLAA brings consumer and policy makers together to learn about communication access at the national, state and local levels. HLAA staff works at the national level to affect legislation that impacts people with hearing loss, whether it funding for hearing aids and cochlear implants, communication access to telecom or in public places, or other important issues.
