TAMPA – The Byrd Alzheimer's Institute welcomes celebrity guest, Leeza Gibbons, for a VIP tour of the newly constructed state-of-the-art Alzheimer's Research Institute in Tampa, FL. Leeza will tour the facility and meet with scientists and invited guests at a private reception Thursday, August 9 starting at 2:00 pm.

"I promised my mother I would take her diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and use it to educate and inspire," remembers Leeza Gibbons.

Leeza says it was a need to serve her own family that prompted her to leave her daily post as managing editor and host of the newsmagazine EXTRA in 2003 in order to form THE LEEZA GIBBONS MEMORY FOUNDATION - her most personal endeavor to date.

Media is cordially invited to this private reception welcoming Leeza Gibbons to the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute

Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Tour at 2:00 pm
Reception at 3:00 pm

4001 E. Fletcher Avenue
Tampa, FL 33613

Leeza Gibbons' Bio

Leeza has been called a social entrepreneur, but if you ask Leeza Gibbons what she does, she'll simply answer "I'm a storyteller". From television news journalist and host, to radio personality, producer and businesswoman, Leeza has been entering America's living rooms for over 25 years. While she would nationally burst on the scene as an anchor & reporter on ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, it wouldn't be until hosting her own daytime talker LEEZA that audiences would see Gibbons' determination to get outside of the box and become a household name while highlighting her intelligence, sensitivity and compassion. Gibbons served as Executive Producer of LEEZA, which debuted on NBC in 1994 and continued nationally through 2000. Receiving nominations for both Outstanding Talk Show and Outstanding Talk Show Host every year it was eligible, LEEZA would garner 27 Daytime Emmy Nominations, winning three. It was during the series run that Gibbons' impact on television would be awarded with one of Hollywood's highest honors: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With her never-ending entrepreneurial creativity and a mind for business-building, Gibbons formed LEEZA GIBBONS ENTERPRISES (LGE) in 1994, and since then she has produced and developed the kinds of projects, partnerships and products that reflect her passions and concerns.

Most recently, Leeza decided to strap her dance shoes on for season 4 of ABC's hit show DANCING WITH THE STARS. Leeza dedicated her performances to her children and to her mother who was nicknamed "Jean, Jean the dancing machine". Leeza turned 50 during the second week of the show and launched her FEARLESS campaign motivating women across the country to live fearlessly at any age and to dance through life with grace and confidence.

Leeza Gibbons hosts and produces the nationally syndicated radio program HOLLYWOOD CONFIDENTIAL which is featured on over 125 radio stations across the country and is now entering its 15th year in production. In Los Angeles, Leeza also hosts a similar show focusing on music & entertainment topics called LEEZA LIVE on KBIG 104.3 FM.

Leeza's latest venture, SHEER INSPIRATION LIFE COACHING (www.sheerinspirationcoaching.com) demonstrates her ongoing efforts to find creative ways to reach her audience and offer life-changing support. Sheer Inspiration is an innovative web business which supplies users with a personal coach via email and/or phone to tackle a variety of challenges ranging from feeling stuck and burned out to dealing with toxic and unfulfilling relationships.

With her mineral based makeup system SHEER COVER, Leeza offers women another way to add value and empowerment to their lives. Sheer Cover works with your natural skin tone to cover everything from small imperfections, rosacea and acne to scarring and pregnancy mask. "I'm hearing powerful stories of sheer courage and sheer determination – that transformative energy is powerful."

It was a need to serve her own family that prompted Gibbons to leave her daily post as managing editor and host of the newsmagazine EXTRA in 2003 in order to form THE LEEZA GIBBONS MEMORY FOUNDATION (a 501c3, non-profit) - her most personal endeavor to date. "I promised my mother I would take her diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and use it to educate and inspire. We're doing that through LEEZA'S PLACE, intimate settings in cities across the country where the newly diagnosed with any memory disorder and their caregivers can get education, empowerment and energy free of charge as they prepare for the journey ahead."

Gibbons' book, SCRAPBOOKING TRADITIONS from Meredith Publishing, features heartwarming, personal stories to encourage others to celebrate memories and create new ones.

Gibbons leads a life of gratitude and while thrilled with all of her many professional accomplishments, she is most proud of her own family life. She has three children: daughter Lexi (17), and sons Troy (15) and Nathan (9).

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