The Lisa Foundation for Brain Aneurysms Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors Council represents the Lisa Foundation and its mission through speaking engagements, public appearances, media interviews, fundraising, and other leadership opportunities. We have an ongoing dialogue with a number of other notable individuals who have expressed an interest in helping us raise awareness for Brain Aneurysms and saving lives. Here are just a few of our talented, loving, and passionate Ambassadors.
Actress
Maryam D'abo
Maryam Dabo is an English film and television actress, best known for her role as James Bond 007 girl, Kara Milovy, in the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights. Maryam is a Brain Aneurysm survivor (2007). She is married to director Hugh Hudson.
Athlete, NFL
Taylor Gabriel
Taylor Gabriel is a wide receiver with the NFL's Chicago Bears and one of the leagues top wide receivers who was drafted in 2014. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian and was signed by the Cleveland Browns. Taylor lost his mother, Kimberly, to a brain aneurysm in 2006 shortly after she dropped him off at school.
NASCAR Driver
Joey Gase
Joey is a stock car driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and drives select NASCAR Sprint Cup races. Joey entered into a historic partnership with The Lisa Colagrossi Foundation to raise awareness for Brain Aneurysms at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June, 2016 by placing the TLCF logo on the hood of his car along with several pictures and names of those affected by Brain Aneurysms. Joey lost hist mother, Mary Jo, to a ruptured Brain Aneurysm (2011) when he was just 17 years old.
MUSICIAN & BRAIN ANEURYSM SURVIVOR
Richie Gilmore
Richie Gilmore is President, Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines. His responsibilities include overseeing the business operations, daily operations in all departments of ECR, contract negotiations with employees, contract negotiations with new and old engine lease customers, and development of technical partnership. Richie miraculously survived a Brain Aneurysm rupture (2007) while at Talladega Superspeedway. He has been honored as a survivor by The Lisa Colagrossi Foundation and is committed to raising awareness through the NASCAR community.
ACTRESS & TELEVISION HOST OF THE VIEW
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an award-winning comedian, actress, and longtime host of the ABC daytime talk show "The View". The day after Lisa Colagrossi passed from a ruptured Brain Aneurysm, Whoopi paid an emotional and heartfelt tribute to her former ABC colleague on "The View" and encouraged everyone to love their families each day "because of moments like that". Just over one month later, Whoopi lost her only brother, Clyde Johnson, to a ruptured Brain Aneurysm (2015)
NFL (Retired)
Tommie Harris
Tommie is a former American football defensive tackle who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears. Tommie lost his wife, Ashley Harris, to a ruptured Brain Aneurysm (2012) and is now raising their two children Tinsley and Tyson.
NFL (Retired)
Albert Haynesworth
Albert Haynesworth is a former NFL defensive tackle who played ten seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Albert survived two Brain Aneurysms (2014) and his touching story was featured on ESPN's SportsCenter in April, 2016.
Athlete, NFL
T.J. Jones
T.J. is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he was a standout wide receiver. He is currently a starting wide receiver with the NFL Detroit Lions in only his third season and is widely expected to replace the NFL's #1 receiver, Calvin Johnson, who retired at the end of the 2015 season. T.J. lost his father, Andre Jones, to a Brain Aneurysm (2011).
MUSICIAN & BRAIN ANEURYSM SURVIVOR
Lisa Lester
Lisa Lester is a country singer and songwriter best known for her album “I Have Arrived” which she recorded in Nashville. A single mother of a teenage boy, Lisa suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm while performing on stage in January, 2018. Following surgery, Lisa was blessed to go on to a full recovery and return to her busy life. Lisa is dedicated to helping The Lisa Foundation save and rebuild lives by sharing her story of faith, hope, and determination.