2023 Brings Top Performers to the Stage to Raise Awareness for Neurofibromatosis
Las Vegas’ top performers hit the stage to celebrate the 13th Annual NF Hope Concert and join forces with entertainment-loving philanthropists to raise much needed funding to fight against the often-misunderstood disorder of neurofibromatosis. NF Hope Concert founders Jeff Leibow, of The Fourmers and of “Jersey Boys” fame, along with his wife Melody, bring back the annual event enlisting some of the city’s most celebrated performers to the prestigious Myron’s at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday Oct. 22. The lobby opens at 11:30 a.m. for silent auction viewing, with the entertainment portion of the afternoon beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased by calling 702-749-2000 or by visiting www.thesmithcenter.com/nfhope. For people who wish to watch the event from the comfort of home or outside of Nevada, livestream tickets are also available for the performance beginning Oct. 2. The NF Hope Concert benefits Neurofibromatosis Network, an organization dedicated to families and individuals suffering from Neurofibromatosis (NF).
Since the inaugural event in 2011, the NF Hope Concert has grown leaps and bounds with every passing year, with more than $1.5 million raised for Neurofibromatosis research and advocacy, as well as producing events in three cities – Las Vegas, New York City and Chicago. Hosted by consummate emcee and top radio personality, Chet Buchanan, 2023’s NF Hope Concert features singing sensation Tymara Walker; American Idol finalist Jasmine Trias, entertainer, songwriter, and producer Ben Stone; newcomer Gabie Lopez; the Las Vegas Academy Choir; and more, along with Jeff and Melody Leibow with a special guest appearance by daughter Emma, who now is a proud student at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts.
“The real heroes in this fight are the NF families,” says Jeff Leibow. “They are the reason we have worked so hard for the last 13 years, and they are the reason why we will do everything we possibly can to make a difference.”
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder of the nervous system characterized by tumors that can grow on any nerve in the body without warning. The Leibows’ young daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with this condition in 2010 when she was just nine months old. As Leibow and his wife, Melody, learned more about the disorder’s devastating effects, they conceived the idea for the concert with the realization that they had an obligation to both their family and the more than 130,000 people living with NF to educate others about the disorder. Although it is a common genetic disorder, most people are not aware that one in 2,500 people are born with it making it more common than cystic fibrosis, hereditary muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, and Tay Sachs combined.
Emma continues to inspire her parents and those around her with her courage and resilience. Just this summer Emma had her third surgery, necessitated by a large tumor in her leg that stretches from her hip to her knee. She is now mature enough to understand what it really means to have NF, so this surgery took a mental toll on her that her previous surgeries did not. Her recovery, in all senses, has been an eye opener for the entire family. It has been a sobering reminder of what NF families face every day and the helplessness that NF parents can experience. It has emphasized for the Leibows why it is so important to continue raising awareness and funds to help fight this disorder to make a difference for Emma and the tens of thousands living with it.
“This has really been a challenging year for Emma,” says Melody Leibow. “The more grown up she gets, the more she understands the realities of having NF. Teaching her to advocate for herself will be an important next step in the journey. All the more reason for the work we do to support NF Network’s invaluable programs.”
For 2023, the NF Hope Concert honors Tena Rosser, M.D. with the Advocate of Hope Award. Dr. Rosser has been the heart of Emma’s NF team at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for more than 13 years. She has spent her entire career working with pediatric neurology patients including a significant number of NF families. The Paul Bodner Memorial Award, an honor presented to a member of the NF community who exemplifies what it means to turn life’s lemons into the sweetest lemonade, will be presented to Sahil Shah. Sahil launched SketchNF with his brother in 2022 as a way to raise awareness for NF and empower NF kids to actively participate in fighting the disorder.
Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased at any box office at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, online via www.thesmithcenter.com/nfhope or by calling 702-749-2000 (TTY 800-326-6868). A select number of sponsorships are available. Sponsors include ad space in the annual Tribute Journal, sponsor recognition and prime seating at the Oct. 22 concert. For more information about becoming a sponsor, email [email protected]. The NF Hope Concert also features a lavish silent auction including priceless experiences, ticket packages to the top shows on the Strip, hotel stay packages, celebrity experiences, restaurant gift certificates, and more. Early access to the silent auction begins Friday, Oct. 13 via http://nfhopelv23.givesmart.com/. The auction will open for viewing 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event. For more information on NF Hope, visit www.nfhope.org. You can follow NF hope on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The 2023 NF Hope Concert is sponsored by presenting sponsors SpringWorks Therapeutics and Alexion Pharmaceuticals along with All Western Mortgage, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, PENTA Building Group and Findlay Toyota. In addition, a private contributor has offered a generous $20,000 matching donation and challenged Leibow to cultivate new annual donors to generate the match.
Photos are available upon request, video links include:
$1,000,000 Dollar Concert – #10YearsOfHope: https://youtu.be/usdEo-eo-so
Why We Do What We Do: https://youtu.be/miIWr7ujOrM?si=oeZPmqX2d0JYh87r
A Beautiful Performance by Tony Award winner Betty Buckley on The NF Hope Concert – The LIVE Interviews: https://youtu.be/-4W5r2Nx-t0?t=1386
“Believe” – Written by Jolana Sampson & Jeff Leibow: https://youtu.be/707gOoDO1ro?si=KsesfQMlv_uhy9u8
NF Hope® Concert: A Touching Moment: https://youtu.be/WNSkcFOeFYw
About Jeff Leibow:
Jeff Leibow landed in Las Vegas in 2008 as one of the stars in the Tony Award-Winning musical, “Jersey Boys.” Before that, he worked in professional theaters all over the country garnishing award nominations for many of his performances. Immediately after his arrival in Vegas, he made giving back to the community a priority, involving himself with every charity event and benefit concert he could fit into his schedule. In 2009, his daughter became his top priority as did raising awareness for Neurofibromatosis, the disorder she is afflicted with. He and his wife founded the annual NF Hope Concerts in 2011, which has raised more than $1.5 million for Neurofibromatosis research and advocacy so far. In 2014, after more than 7 years and 2,700 performances in JERSEY BOYS, he stepped down to dedicate more of his time to the cause that means so much to him and his family. He recently joined three of his former castmates to form The Fourmers, returning to his performing roots and the stage with various performance throughout the United States including Las Vegas, as well as corporate and private events. For additional information, visit www.jeffleibow.com or follow on Twitter/Instagram: @jeffleibow
About NF Network:
The NF Network (formerly NF, Inc.) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and was founded in 1988 by a group of people who were in some way affected by neurofibromatosis. We are the leading national organization advocating for federal funding for NF research and building and supporting NF communities. The NF Network’s goal is to eradicate the health issues, pain, isolation and uncertainty that the diagnosis of NF inflicts. The NF Network provides opportunities for local NF organizations to share experiences. The network is a dynamic and growing open space for shared resources, development of new tools, and creation of innovative programs. It brings together groups from around the country to speak as one voice on national issues. You can find more information about Neurofibromatosis Network at www.nfnetwork.org or by calling the office at 630-627-1115.
