From Baltimore to Brazil --- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake rolled out the red carpet for a very special send-off for Paralympic athletes and Casey Cares families in the beautiful rotunda in City Hall. 

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake honored seven Paralympic athletes who will represent Team USA next month in the Rio Paralympic Games, Casey Cares founder and executive director Casey Baynes and our Casey Cares kids and families! With our Casey Cares kids and families waving American flags, the Mayor announced the names of seven Paralympic athletes and honored each of them with special proclamations. The seven athletes in attendance were McKenzie Coan, Alyssa Gialamas, Cortney Jordan, Jessica Long, Rebecca Meyers, Elizabeth Smith and Bradley Snyder. 

The Mayor also presented a proclamation to Casey Baynes, and Casey spoke to the packed crowd about the parallels between the world-class athletes and the Casey Cares families. The Paralympians have overcome amazing odds and physical challenges to set world records, win gold medals and represent Team USA, and the kids and families at Casey Cares cope with adversity every day as they battle cancer, sickle cell disease, heart ailments and other critical illnesses. 

"You guys are such an inspiration to each and every one of our Casey Cares families," Baynes told the crowd, which included about 50 Casey Cares kids and family members. "They know what it is to come against obstacles and be told that you can't do something. Well today you are here to show them and two weeks in Rio you are here to show that everything is possible for them."

Baynes also credited the Mayor and her staff, telling the crowd that the support for the city's Paralympians truly "comes from the top." 

Others in attendance were Baltimore City Council president Jack Young, Maryland Sports Authority executive director Terry Hasseltine and representatives from Loyola University Maryland and Under Armour. 

Casey Cares is proud to have had such a wonderful experience at City Hall with the Paralympic athletes and the Mayor! Go Team USA! We will be cheering in Baltimore while you are competing in Rio! 

Check out photos and video from this special event on our social platforms. Special thanks to Mark Dennis, staff photographer at the Mayor's office for great pics!