We catch up with Global Messenger Ioana Ciabano to hear about her trip to New York City to represent Special Olympics Romania.

Ioana attended the Clinton Global Initiative 2012 Annual Meeting on Sunday September 23rd where President Bill Clinton and Philanthropist Tom Golisano announced a US$12 million donation to expand Healthy Athlete services across the world

Welcome home Ioana! Was this your first time in New York? Do you like the city? What do you like the most?

Ioana: Yes, it was my first time in New York. I enjoyed the city very much; in fact, I loved it. I think the nicest thing I saw was the Statue of Liberty.

What was it like to meet President Clinton? What did he say to you?

Ioana: It was an incredible experience. We shook hands.  He said “Good luck to you and all the Special Olympics athletes who are real fighters”. 

Did you talk with Philanthropist Tom Golisano? What did you say?

Ioana: Yes, I had the chance to talk a little. I thanked him for his generous donation.

Where you nervous going on stage at the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in front of the world media?

Ioana: Of course I was nervous! It was an extraordinary feeling.

Why do you think this US$12 million donation to Healthy Athletes is so important to Special Olympics?

Ioana: Because thanks to this donation Special Olympics will be able to help more athletes.

Thank you Ioana. What extraordinary experiences you have had as a Global Messenger for Special Olympics. Well done!

The grant, which Special Olympics Romania will receive, made possible by this generous donation from Tom Golisano, will be life changing for athletes in Romania. Romania's National Director, Cristian Ispas, explains what it will mean for the athletes and families.

“It is our belief that by further development of the Healthy Athletes Program in Romania, we will bring an important contribution to improving the health of our athletes and, implicitly, providing them added opportunities to participate in their community. This grant gives us a great opportunity to compliment our services to the athletes by providing more care after screenings. Our volunteer health care professional have always insisted we should follow-up on their recommendations post healthy athlete screenings because not many athletes have access to appropriate services within their communities.

The grant will also foster development of local communities by creating links with other networks, medical staff and service providers which function closer to athlete's home town. Overall the Special Olympics Romania family will grow for a higher impact on athletes, and their families’ life.”

For more information click here