Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ T.J. Martell Foundation) -
Music industry veteran and founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation, Tony Martell, will be honored at a music industry only Artist Relations Luncheon held on Tuesday, May 8 at the Nashville Palm Restaurant. The luncheon will bring together the music community to honor Mr. Martell's leadership and to learn more about the Foundation's 32 year history and it efforts in Nashville .
The T. J. Martell Foundation began with a solemn promise between a father and his dying son. In 1975, T. J. Martell asked his father, music industry executive Tony Martell, to raise a million dollars for lifesaving leukemia research. T. J. died later that year, but Tony Martell upheld his promise and with the help of the music industry raised not only one million dollars but went on to raise more than $217 million. Today T. J.'s form of leukemia is treatable as result of research in part funded by the Martell Foundation.
The commitment to finding a cure for leukemia, cancer and AIDS through innovative research continues today, 32 years after establishing the Martell Foundation. Currently the Martell Foundation supports work at eight top research hospitals across the country, including funding the outstanding work at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center .
In addition to the Luncheon Award Event, a reception welcoming Tony Martell to Nashville will be held on Monday, May 7, 2007 at BMI headquarters by the Board of directors of the local division of the Martell Foundation, along with artists and many friends of Mr. Martell's from the music industry.
Tony Conway, President of the Martell Foundation – Nashville Division Board of Directors will introduce Tony Martell for his for his leadership and dedication for many years in funding vital research programs for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. 'Tony Martell has inspired the Nashville Division Board of Directors and its many volunteers to help raise more than $15 million dollars in support of Foundation's research initiatives,' Tony Conway said in announcing this special recognition of Mr. Martell. 'We have many opportunities for the local community to get involved and be part of a Foundation, including several fun local events that raise money to support cancer research at Vanderbilt Medical Center ,' Tony Conway added.
Frances Williams Preston, President of the national T.J. Martell Foundation, will be present at the reception at BMI to welcome and honor Tony Martell. Preston, former CEO of BMI was instrumental in opening the Foundation offices in Nashville and has served as the national President of the Foundation for over 14 years. In 1993, the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories were established at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in honor of Preston and her dedication to the Foundation and cancer research.
