William Cope Moyers Carries His Message of Hope to Gateway’s Gala

“This is the face of addiction,” said William Cope Moyers, referring to himself as he spoke to the crowd of more than 400 guests at Gateway Rehabilitation Center’s Hope Has a Home Gala held recently at the Pittsburgh Hilton to benefit Gateway’s youth programs. “Addiction does not discriminate. It reaches into every family and neighborhood regardless of socioeconomic standing,” said Moyers, who led a life of privilege as the son of renowned journalist and former presidential advisor, Bill Moyers, before plunging into alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction. With 13 years of sobriety, his story is more than a miracle.  It’s a true testimony that treatment can overcome the power of addiction and lead to a life of recovery.

Encouraging the audience to “carry the message” by working to improve the public’s understanding of addiction, treatment, and recovery, Moyers, now the vice president of external affairs for the Hazelden Foundation, asked, “Why doesn’t addiction have a special ribbon? It’s a disease that needs support for treatment just like cancer, diabetes or AIDS.  We must put this disease out in the forefront just like the others and spread the word about recovery.”

Other highlights of the evening, emceed by WTAE-TV news anchors, Sally Wiggin and Mike Clark, included an invocation from Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a presentation of Gateway’s recent media highlights, and a special video message of support for Gateway from Max Starks, #78 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and honorary chair of Gateway’s Youth Services Center Campaign.

Dr. Kenneth S. Ramsey, Gateway Rehab president and CEO, presented the Abraham J. Twerski Hope Award to Rotary International District 7300 (which includes Allegheny, Beaver, and parts of Westmoreland counties) for the humanitarian service and hope Rotarians have offered to residents throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for nearly 100 years.

Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, Gateway’s founder and medical director emeritus, introduced an example of “Hope for the Future” -- former Gateway youth patient, James J., who inspired the audience with his success story and appreciation for Gateway’s Youth Extended Services program, which helped him overcome his addiction and get his life back on the right track.

The evening’s program closed with a benediction from Reverend Melvin Rippy, pastoral counselor for Gateway Rehab.  Following the program, Moyers autographed for attendees his best-selling memoir “Broken.”

Moyers left the audience with some inspiring words of hope: “I was broken, but now I am healing and here to tell my story of addiction and redemption.”

“William Cope Moyers truly shares Gateway’s passion for spreading the word about recovery,” said Ramsey. “His story represents hope and is a wonderful example of how treatment works and can turn lives around.”

The 2008 Hope Has a Home Gala is set for Thursday, December 11 at the Pittsburgh Hilton.

Gateway was founded in 1972 by Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, internationally recognized authority in the field of chemical dependency treatment, psychiatrist, frequent lecturer, and author of more than 50 self-help related books. More than 100,000 individuals have received treatment within the Gateway system, which reaches from Erie, PA to Washington, PA, and Columbus, OH.

Pictured left to right are Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, Gateway’s founder and medical director emeritus, Dr. Kenneth S. Ramsey, Gateway Rehab president and CEO, William Cope Moyers, featured 2007 Gateway Gala speaker, author, and vice president of external affairs for the Hazelden Foundation, Twerski Hope Award Recipients -- Mr. Dennis Crawford, 2007-2008 Rotary International District 7300 Governor and Bob Rupp, 2006-2007 District Governor – and James C. Rogal, chair of Gateway Rehab’s board of directors.	Pictured left to right are Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, William Cope Moyers, featured 2007 Gateway Gala speaker and vice president of external affairs for the Hazelden Foundation, Dr. Kenneth S. Ramsey, Gateway Rehab president and CEO, and Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, Gateway’s founder and medical director emeritus.
Dr. Kenneth S. Ramsey, Gateway president and CEO; Lori Cardille-Rogal; William Cope Moyers, featured Gala speaker; James C. Rogal, Gateway board of directors chair; Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, Gateway founder and medical director emeritus	Featured speaker William Cope Moyers meets with Gateway's founder, Dr. Abraham J. Twerski.
Gala emcees Sally Wiggin and Mike Clark, news anchors for WTAE-TV	Pictured left to right are Gateway staff Cindy Riggins, Gateway Corrections program director for Braddock location; James Troup, executive vice president of strategic planning and business development; Amy Capretto; Karen Florence, Gateway Corrections transitional housing program director; and Dr. Neil Capretto, medical director.
Pictured left to right are Patricia Orangis, Gateway Rehab vice president of development, William Cope Moyers, and Dominion representatives Marie Gilberg and Carl Orangis.	James Lee Soffer (far left) of the Soffer Foundation and Gateway Gala Presenting Sponsor is pictured with Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, Gateway Rehab founder and medical director emeritus.