Gladys Knight Personalizes Musical Moments for MS

The fourth UMDNJ "Musical Moments for MS" benefit gala, to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on October 24, featured a performer who has spent more than 50 years sharing her voice and her inspiration. Gladys Knight says, "I’m aware of the fact that my music touches people’s lives on a personal basis," which was exactly what happened when the audience succumbed to
classics like "Midnight Train To Georgia," "Neither One of Us," and "Memories."

Emceed by Steve Adubato, the Emmy Award winning television anchor, the annual event owes its successful existence to co-chairs Murray and Lee Kushner, who were on hand along with UMDNJ President Stuart D. Cook, MD, renowned for his contributions to the field of multiple sclerosis. Adubato announced that this year’s event raised more than any previous concert, and that Musical Moments has raised $6.9 million since its inception four years ago.

Awards were presented to: William C. McCahill, Jr., executive vice-president of Fleet Bank, for corporate excellence, Michael Goldstein, chairman of Toys "R" Us, for humanitarianism, and Sidney Pestka, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School for medical excellence.