Look To The Stars News: Health

Elton John AIDS Foundation Funds Needle Exchange

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is helping to fund community based needle exchange programs in an effort to reduce the spread of blood born diseases among intervenes users.

In the United States over 1 million people are living with HIV and AIDS. Fifty thousand new infections occur every year and nearly eight thousand of those are directly related to intervenes drug use, as well as is the spread of hepatitis B and C.

As part of the Program, volunteers set up stations around New York City to service intervenes users from a large van stocked with clean needles and supplies.

Director of Community Relations and New York Harm Reduction Educator, Troy Branch, says, “If you’re going to inject yourself, use clean needles. We’ll give you 50 new ones if you give us 50 old ones. It’s been extremely successful.”

“We know that providing sterile syringes will prevent HIV,” says another volunteer.

Besides the needle exchange, other services are also available from the van, such as hepatitis screening, vaccines, HIV testing and treatment programs.

Branch says, “If it wasn’t for services like ours, these people wouldn’t get any help at all.”

In a statement on the EJAF website, Elton John says, “I have lost many dear friends to this terrible disease. In the mid-1980s, I began channeling my grief into efforts to help raise money for the pioneering charitable organizations that formed during those dark, grim years to fund AIDS research and provide vital services to people with HIV/AIDS.”

Today, forty million people are infected with HIV; eight thousand die every day.

Jeremy Edwards Strips For Cancer Research

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Female readers may like to sit down and take a deep breath before perusing this story: hunky ex-Holby City and Hollyoaks actor Jeremy Edwards has stripped off for a new charity campaign targeting male cancer.

The 37-year-old actor has been photographed without a stitch on for the Everyman Campaign, an initiative launched by the the Institute of Cancer Research in 1997.

“I’ve always exercised but I only got the six-pack recently and I’m pretty proud of it,” said Edwards. “I did a six-week challenge for Men’s Health magazine that involved training twice a day, a six-mile run before breakfast and no carbs after lunch. I’m chuffed and my mates can’t believe the transformation.”

Edwards said he decided to support the campaign after a scare five years ago: “One of my testicles swelled to the size of a cricket ball. Thankfully, it was a treatable cyst.”

The actor joins other celebrities such as Gemma Atkinson, Rachel Stevens, and Dermot O’Leary in supporting the campaign, which aims to increase awareness in males of testicular cancer.

The steamy photo of Edwards will appear in the August edition of Cosmopolitan magazine, although the star admits not everyone will be impressed.

“Because my fiancée Lydia sees me naked every day, I don’t think it’s had as much impact on her,” he said. “I’m like, ‘But look at my abs!’”

More information about the Everyman Campaign can be found at their website.

Rihanna The Face Of New Charity Campaign

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rihanna is to front luxury goods label Gucci’s UNICEF campaign.

The new campaign – tagged Tattoo Heart – will start in December, and the 20-year-old singer will appear in a series of advertisements promoting the initiative. She is already well-known for her support of both UNICEF and Gucci, after performing at a fundraiser the fashion house threw for the charity at the New York Fashion Week in February.

“When we decided to dedicate a full ad campaign to really come out and show our commitment to UNICEF, I felt a musician and a beautiful woman was the perfect icon for this campaign,” said Frida Giannini, Gucci’s creative designer.

The campaign will feature a special limited edition selection of Gucci products, with 25% of sales being donated to the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund.

Rihanna is no stranger to helping children in need: in 2006 she established the Believe Foundation to help terminally ill and disadvantaged children around the world, and earlier this year she played a series of concerts to raise awareness and money for her charity.

NASCAR's Kyle Petty Signs Guitar For Charity Auction

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

NASCAR driver Kyle Petty has signed a guitar that is being auctioned off to raise money for his camps for terminally ill children.

The driver is currently leading a long-distance motorcycle ride through the United States to raise funds for the Victory Junction Gang, a series of camps he opened to serve children with a variety of health issues that would typically prevent them from attending camps. To help raise awareness of the ride, Petty has autographed a new Gretsch 6120 Nashville model guitar specially donated by the Gretsch Company, a familiar name to lovers of fine guitars, and the instrument is currently up for grabs on eBay.

“I can’t say how happy I am that Gretsch came on board to help us out like this,” said Petty. “It is a great guitar! I play my guitar every day of my life. I have one at home and I have one on the road with me when I travel. There is something about a guitar that just brings happiness. I have about 150 songs that I have written not only for my family, but for friends. This guitar is a unique item, and I am sure that it will do really well during this auction. We are really excited!”

The driver is also excited about his motorcycle ride, which has raised over $10 million for his charity since the first ride in 1995.

“I could have never imagined what we have created,” he said. “The Ride really started with just a handful of us that got pledges to ride across country and wanted to donate to children’s hospitals in different cities. We were thinking, “Wow! Riding motorcycles and donating money to charity, it does not get any better than this!”. The Ride started out as just a few riders, and now it has a waiting list. It is amazing how much support we have gotten, not only from the communities, but the past and present riders as well.”

To find out more about the ride, visit their website.

A Message From Roger Moore

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Some say he was the best James Bond ever, and now actor Roger Moore has written a message to encourage people to support UNICEF.

“I have had the rare privilege of seeing firsthand UNICEF’s work with children around the world,” wrote Moore on the UNICEF website “I have met countless children who are benefiting, whose lives have been saved by UNICEF programs. Many are living in appalling poverty, without the day-to-day essentials we take for granted. Others are bravely struggling to survive in situations of conflict.

“The work we do today is vital and lifesaving. But I have some grave concerns about the future. Though UNICEF staff and volunteers work tirelessly, the hardships that so many children face – drought, famine, war – will not go away in the foreseeable future.

“The legacies left by UNICEF supporters enable us to be there for future generations… and continue to save and uplift the lives of our world’s most precious citizens in years to come.”

The 80-year-old actor has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the charity since 1991, and first became involved in humanitarian issues when he witnessed extreme poverty while filming in India in 1983.

To find out more about UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassadors, visit their website.

Alicia Keys Holds Charity Ball In London

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Alicia Keys hosted a gala in London last week to raise cash for orphans suffering from HIV/AIDS in Africa, and attracted some of the biggest names in showbiz.

The lavish ball – held last Thursday – raised money for Keep A Child Alive, the charity Keys co-founded to provide life-saving anti-retroviral treatment to children and their families with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Guests such as Kelly Rowland, Mischa Barton, Russell Brand, and Jennifer Hudson each paid over $2,000 to be part of the ball.

“Any time you’re helping someone is very important and, of course, when children are involved,” said Hudson. “I feel like your celebrity is not about the fortune or the fame. But if you can’t help anyone then it’s in vain, it’s pointless.”

27-year-old Alicia Keys, who stunned the audience by performing a duet of the Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams and REM’s Everybody Hurts with Annie Lennox at the gala, helped found Keep A Child Alive after visiting South Africa in 2003 and witnessing the effects of the AIDS pandemic firsthand. She told BBC Newsbeat that people need to remember that AIDS is a global problem.

“It scares me… it really does. Thinking of myself, thinking of younger generations, my brother’s generation. We have a lot to really be careful about and it’s such a major thing that we have to be cautious. But we can totally avoid it by practicing safe sex and, if you can, just abstinence. And definitely being aware of what’s going on so that you know that you want to protect yourself every time, all the time.”

The ball raised almost $700,000 for the charity.

Gillian Anderson Auctions X Files Memorabilia For Charity

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Gillian Anderson is auctioning off tickets to the premiere of the new X Files movie and some other very special items from the popular TV series, with all proceeds to go to great causes.

The X Files: I Want To Believe – starring Anderson, David Duchovny and Billy Connolly – opens in the US on July 25, and eBay has eight opportunities to attend the premiere in either London or LA up for grabs. And as if that is not exciting enough, the highest bidders will also meet Gillian Anderson in person.

“Starting this July, you’ll be able to bid on hundreds of items I have saved from the series – from signed magazine covers and stills to scripts to clothing to specialty items like FBI badges and even a Scully cross,” said Anderson. “Also… there are premiere tickets and a talk show or two where we can meet and take pictures backstage.”

Proceeds from the auction, which can be accessed through Gillian Anderson’s eBay page, will be split between Neurofibromatosis, Inc., Artists for a New South Africa, Buskaid, and the Salisbury Community Choir. The premiere tickets are on auction until July 17, and the merchandise auction runs from July 17 till August 7.

Leonardo DiCaprio Has Time For The Environment

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Leonardo DiCaprio has joined forces with Swiss watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre to confront global environmental issues and promote eco-friendly causes by creating the “Time to Care” program to benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation.

The company will release two new and unique timepieces this Fall that feature DiCaprio’s signature and endorsement, with 100% of the proceeds going to some of the environmental organizations supported by the California Community Foundation around the world – including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Global Green.

The first of the watches will be a one-of-a-kind Master Compressor Extreme Lab, as worn by DiCaprio to the premiere of his documentary, The 11th Hour. Valued at approximately $300,000, the watch will be engraved with Leonardo DiCaprio’s signature, and be crafted in carbon fiber and titanium. It will feature an automatic tourbillon, two time zones, a pointer-type AM/PM indication at 12 o’clock and a patented jumping date display. This revolutionary concept watch features the first mechanical movement to operate without any lubricant and it is resistant to extreme temperatures of -40 degrees to +60 degrees Celsius – which is just what you need for global warming.

The second watch for sale will be a one-of-a-kind edition of the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 which, apart from having one of the coolest names ever, contains the first-ever spherical tourbillon – a great little gizmo invented in 1795 to counter the effects of gravity on timepieces… a very important thing if you ever find yourself in space or late for work. It also contains a 50-hour power reserve and will be worth around $400,000.

As well as being an eco-warrior, DiCaprio is also well known for his passion for Jaeger-LeCoultre watches. At the premiere of 2007’s “Blood Diamond” he wore a platinum Master Minute Repeater, and is known to own several more of their pieces.

The watches will be available through stockists of Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces.

Buffett Shares With Charities

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A Chinese businessman jumped at the chance to dine with Warren Buffett for charity last week.

Hedge fund manager Zhao Danyang offered a winning bid of $2.1 million for a chance to have lunch with the Berkshire Hathaway chairman, with all profits going to Glide to benefit their programs for the hungry. The bid goes far beyond last year’s winning bid of $650,000, and 2006’s winning bid of $620,000.

“We danced in the streets there for a short time,” said the Rev. Cecil Williams from Glide. “The streets of San Francisco! We were dancing and singing!”

The 77-year-old billionaire also announced this week that he is donating 512,169 Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. stock to three charitable foundations in keeping with his plan to give away the bulk of his fortune. Most of the shares – worth $3,999 each and totaling over $2.1 billion – will go to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Buffett has already announced he will give 10 million shares to the Gates Foundation over the next few years, with a further 1 million shares going to the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and 350,000 shares for each of the three foundations run by his three children.

Hugh Grant Supports New Charity Funding

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Hugh Grant has openly welcomed the British Government’s decision last week to increase funding to Marie Curie Cancer Care nurses by £4.5 million (US$9 million).

An Ambassador for the charity, Grant has made a moving tribute about the work of Marie Curie nurses who provide care to terminally ill cancer patients – including his own mother.

“I am one of those people who came into contact with Marie Curie just because someone in my family died,” said the 47-year-old. “In my case it was my mother; she died of cancer in 2001. She wanted to die at home as most people do and not many people can for various reasons. Marie Curie came out to my brother’s house and enabled my mother to have a very dignified and quite cosy and loving last three weeks – not just because they are brilliant nurses, but they are just really great people to have around. I was very impressed. I operate in a world that’s full of scumbags and it’s very odd to come across nice people, people who actually do good.”

Marie Curie Cancer Care, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this week, provides free end-of-life care for around 27,000 cancer patients who want to end their days at home every year.

Children's Hospital Benefits From Formula One Party

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It was a case of life in the fast lane for a host of celebrities earlier this week when they turned up at the annual British Grand Prix Party in aid of the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Hosted by Vernon Kay and Tess Daly, the event raised over £700,000 (US$1.4 million) to build the hospital’s new Heart and Lung Center. Held at London’s famous Bloomsbury Ballroom at Victoria House, the event attracted a host of stars, including producer and hip-hop star Pharrell Williams, Simon Webb, Jamelia, and Formula One’s Jenson Button and Damon Hill.

“I stand fully behind the F1 efforts to make a better life for GOSH’s young patients,” said Button, who was one of the first to arrive on the red carpet – perhaps because of his fast driving skills.

Mark Webber was another driver in attendance to show his support.

“An Australian friend’s little boy was treated at GOSH,” he said. “Unfortunately he did not make it, but in his time at the hospital he was cared for so well that giving my support is a matter of the heart.”

Dinner was followed by an auction, which included the chance to bid on items such as an opportunity to complete two laps in Santander’s two-seater Grand Prix car, driven by ‘The Stig’ from BBC television’s Top Gear on race day of the British Grand Prix, a meet-and-greet with Barry Manilow, and the Steinmetz diamond-encrusted steering wheel used by Kimi Raikkonen.

The evening ended with dancing to the grooves of Basement Jaxx.

Great Ormond Street Hospital in London treats more than 100,000 ill children each year, and specializes in the most complex, life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. It relies on public donations to boost the Government funding it receives.

Shilpa Shetty Auctions Kisses For Charity

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty won a Global Diversity Award 2008 last week for making a significant contribution to the understanding of diversity, and helped raise $126,000 for charity by auctioning a kiss.

The 32-year-old Indian beauty attended last week’s Silver Star gala in London, and was awarded with the charity’s prestigious Global Diversity Award, along with Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton. The gala included a dinner and auction to raise money for the Silver Star Foundation, a British-based diabetes charity that runs mobile diabetes assessment units. Launched by Labour MP Keith Vaz last year when he was diagnosed as a diabetes patient, the charity plans to buy their third mobile unit with the money raised from the gala.

As well as a chance to dine with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the auction included a number of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. But it was Shetty’s impromptu announcement to auction a kiss to the highest bidder that raised the most interest, with one fan forking out $25,000 for the honor.

The lucky winner got to kiss the star three times on the cheek for his money, and Silver Star came one step closer to their goal.

Madonna’s Malawi Efforts Get Multiple Recognition

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Malawi is awarding Madonna with citizenship in honor of the work she’s done through her charity, Raising Malawi, for AIDS orphans of the impoverished country.

However, Malawi’s government offices aren’t the only ones noticing Madonna’s work. Michael Moore asked to show her new film, I am Because We Are, at the Traverse City Film Festival and for her to attend the showing in person.

“She said she’d be thrilled to come here and be part of the film festival,” said Moore. “We were pleasantly surprised.”

The documentary, written, produced and narrated by Madonna, follows her through Malawi, a country devastated by poverty and AIDS, exploring the lives of the orphans. The message, though, is optimistic: there is hope. No child without vision has a future – this future exists when children believe “they are their own potential.”

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton, activist Jeffrey Sachs, Archbishop Desmund Tutu and various experts are also interviewed.

“When I saw it, I thought, ‘Wow, it’s like she’s been making these films for years,’” said Moore. “She takes the viewer through a very personal journey and tries to connect us, living here in the U.S., giving us a window into the way it is for other people in the world. You understand very clearly why she’s devoted so much of her life to the people of Malawi.”

“The film is a labor of love and I am happy that I can bring it home to my roots,” Madonna told The Associated Press. “I am also honored that the film will be screening at this particular festival arranged by Michael, as he is a genius and I am a huge fan.”

The Traverse City Film Festival will run July 29 through August 3. Madonna will introduce I am Because We Are, playing at 8:00 p.m. August 2 at the State Theatre, and take questions from the audience afterwards. Proceeds of the $25 tickets will go to the Raising Malawi foundation.

Celebs For Kids Makes A $7 Million Challenge

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Dozens of celebrities including actors Matt Damon, Cheech Marin, and Hockey Hall of Famer Grant Fuhr are helping to raise funds for a research centre dedicated to pediatric rheumatology at Canada’s B.C. Children’s Hospital

Inspired by Karim Chandani, founder of Celebs for Kids in partnership with the Arthritis Society of Canada and Lupus Canada, the $3.5 million project – the Ross Petty Research Chair in Paediatric Rheumatology – will address the enormous lack of knowledge about Lupus in both the medical field and the general public, and the fact that there is currently no such research or treatment facility in Canada.

According to lupus sufferer Dr Jan McCaffrey, lupus is difficult to diagnose or treat because it affects every patient differently and has only a fraction of the research or public awareness compared to that of other well-known diseases. It is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy body systems and tissues, resulting in pain and organ damage. McCaffrey says, “If I had to write a bumper sticker for doctors and lupus with a view of helping diagnose patients sooner, I would say, ‘If it doesn’t make sense, think of lupus.’”

Celebs for Kids is Chandani’s response to his daughter’s lupus diagnosis last year. “It started out being about my daughter,” he says, “but it very quickly changed when I found out about the amount of kids who are affected.”

Celebs for Kids has three major fundraisers planned. Two will be in August: star-studded poker and golf tournaments hosted by Grant Fuhr, who has invited several friends to participate – including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Kevin Costner and Lil Jordan.

There promises to be a celebrity at each table, live entertainment and a fashion show at the funny money poker game on the 14th. The golf tournament the next day will offer things like $1 million dollar hole-in-one, luxury cars to win, prizes per hole ranging from $20,000 to $375,000, a dinner cruise and gala evening. “We have three levels at the River Rock where 700 guests can mix and mingle with tons of celebrities,” said Chandani. “We have spent no money. Everything has been sponsored or donated and it’s been absolutely amazing.”

The third fundraiser is the $7 million Facebook challenge, ongoing until December 2 where Facebookers can donate a dollar at a time, recruit their friends to do the same and spread the word.

Chandani says, “We are excited about the power social media networks have to create mass awareness and exposure for these diseases. I’m so motivated by this to make things happen and change things very quickly.”

Celebrity Fashion Up For Grabs

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Anybody interested in celebrity fashion should head over to www.clothesoffourback.org in the next few days to bid on some of the fabulous items up for grabs in the name of charity.

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance has an exciting range of clothes and memorabilia up for auction on the site, including the Badgley Mischka dress that Comedy For A Cure honoree Teri Hatcher wore to the “American Idol” Season 7 Grand Finale, a green Max Mara wrap dress, smoky quartz & sterling silver earrings, and autographed photo from “Dexter” star Julie Benz, a “Chuck” t-shirt autographed by the show’s star Zachary Levi, a “CSI:NY” white lab coat autographed by Melina Kanakaredes, and the Theory dress that “Access Hollywood” correspondent Shaun Robinson wore to last year’s Comedy for a Cure event when she was the show’s emcee.

Bidders should be quick, as the auction ends on July 8.

And for anybody who wants to step out on the town in some special shoes, Clothes Off Our Back is also auctioning off a range off footwear designed specially by stars such as Sheryl Crow, Hilary Swank, Zooey Deschanel, Rose McGowan, Kate Winslet, Maggie Grace, Cate Blanchett, Kirsten Dunst, Kristin Davis, Natasha Henstridge, Lisa Edelstein, Pink, Becki Newton, Melissa George, Kerry Washington, America Ferrera, Ana Ortiz, and Kate Walsh.

Proceeds from the auction will go Second Harvest (the nation’s largest charitable hunger-relief organization), The Art of Elysium (which enriches the lives of artist and critically ill children), World Education (focusing on girls’ scholarship programs in Africa), and autism research. The auction ends on July 11.

Over 500 celebrities have participated in Clothes Off Our Back auctions since it was established by Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford in 2002, helping raise over $2 million for various children’s charities.

Bono Sings The Praises Of Music For Charity

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bono’s (RED) charity has announced a new music delivery system as their latest way to raise money for AIDS sufferers in Africa.

Internet users can pay $5/month to use the service, and will receive a weekly installment containing an exclusive song from one of the world’s top artists, a song by an emerging artist, a piece of non-music content called a “Crackerjack surprise,” and stories of how (RED) funds are being used to combat the deadly disease.

“The world’s best brands created (RED) products that have generated over US$110 million,” said Don MacKinnon, (RED) President of Content. “What we are doing now is applying the (RED) model to music. Every week you will receive great music from amazing artists and people living with AIDS in Africa will receive lifesaving antiretroviral medicine.”

Half of each month’s membership fee will go directly to the Global Fund, and just five subscribers will generate enough money annually to provide a person living with HIV with antiretroviral treatment for one year.

“Don MacKinnon just might be the penicillin the ailing music business needs,” said Bono. “He is an innovator by nature and I have no doubt that some of the music software we are working on at (RED) will help change the way music is received, as well as changing the lives of Africans who will die without the AIDS drug that (RED) can provide.”

Although the new system doesn’t come online until Autumn, you can pre-register at www.joinred.com.

Jackie Chan Urges Non-Violence In Timor

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

UNICEF Ambassador Jackie Chan visited East Timor last week to spread a message of non-violence to the country’s youth.

The visit aimed to curb a culture of “martial arts gangs” – groups of youths that have been involved in street fighting that led to an outbreak of violence that killed 37 people and caused thousands to flee their homes less than two years ago.

“If you use martial arts to help somebody, you’re the hero,” said Chan. “If you use martial arts just on the street to fight somebody, even if you win you’re not the hero – you’re nobody.”

During the visit, Chan met Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and led a choreographed martial arts display in front of over 5000 young people at Dili’s national stadium. He hopes his presence will help gangs realize their art is a discipline, not a weapon.

“It does not matter what school of martial arts we are from as long as we are united,” he said. “Training for martial arts helps you to strengthen your eyes, your mind and your body. When you have a good body and mind, let’s help people. Don’t harm them.”

You can watch a video of Chan’s visit here.

Paris Hilton Donates To Children's Hospital

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton has made a substantial donation to a children’s hospital in Los Angeles.

The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles announced on Thursday that the 27-year-old socialite had made an “extremely generous” donation towards the construction of a new building at their facility – a 460,000-square-foot Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases, expected to open in 2010.

“I am so happy and fortunate to announce my support for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” said Hilton. “The children I have met through my involvement with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have truly touched my heart. I am proud to make a donation and lend my name to the fundraising effort to help children who are facing terribly serious illnesses. The fabulous new hospital facilities at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will provide a caring, healing environment for children and their families for many years to come.”

Hilton began her association with the hospital following her release from jail last year, and has also donated the proceeds from the launch of her eponymous clothing line last August to the facility. The size of the latest donation has yet to be made public.

Sir Elton John's White Tie And Tiara Party Hits The Beach

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Once a year Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish throw open the doors of their exquisite Berkshire home to a sparkling array of celebrities for their annual White Tie and Tiara Ball, and last night was no different as a staggering number of stars filed into the singer’s house for this year’s much-looked-forward-to event.

More than 600 guests turned up to the beach-themed party, each paying around US$6,000 for the dinner, auction, and concert. This year’s performance came from Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson, and attendees included Bill Clinton, Elle Macpherson, Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael Caine, Simon Cowell, Rod Stewart, Mischa Barton, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Gordon Ramsay, Tracey Emin, Roger Federer, Natalie Imbruglia, Kelly Osbourne, and Jemima Khan.

Sir Elton decorated his lavish garden with palm trees and sand for the party, which raised money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Last year’s event raised over $12 million for the cause, and the White Tie and Tiara Balls have made over $50 million since 1998.

Tom Arnold To Auction Motorcycle

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Tom Arnold will be auctioning off a very special motorcycle next month for a couple of very special charities.

The 49-year-old actor will join fellow motorcycle enthusiasts at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio, over the next two days to celebrate the grand opening of the Museum’s latest exhibit, “MotoStars: Celebrities and Motorcycles.”

The exhibition will include over 100 of the America’s most passionate celebrity motorbike enthusiasts, their motorcycles and personal memorabilia, and one of the most talked-about items on display is a 2008 Victory Vision Street motorcycle commissioned by Arnold for a charity auction to be held on eBay next month. The bike was designed by special effects wizard Stan Winston, who passed away earlier this month. The design of the bike was inspired by the current box office hit Iron Man – the last movie Winston worked on.

Proceeds from the auction will go to two of Arnold’s favorite charities, Camp del Corazon and Operation Homefront, and the motorcycle will remain on display in “MotoStars” until the winning bidder takes it home in August.

Steve Nash Brings Soccer Magic To New York

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

While Euro 2008 was reaching its climatic final stages in Europe, American soccer fans enjoyed a match dubbed the Showdown in Chinatown in New York City last night, in which professional football players went head-to-head with NBA stars for charity.

Organized by the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash, the game featured appearances from Barcelona forward Thierry Henry, Red Bulls midfielder Claudio Reyna, former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler, and NBA players Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Raja Bell, and Leandro Barbosa.

“We want to play just like we do in basketball,” said the NBA’s Baron Davis before the game. “I know that we can win if we outscore the other team.”

But outscore them they didn’t. The soccer players’ side outclassed the NBA players in all aspects of the game, with Henry teasing his opponents with his usual skills and theatrics, such as juggling the ball for 20 yards at a time or balancing it on his head. The footballers eventually won the 60-minute game, 9-4.

Although the game was free to attend, donations were taken for the Steve Nash Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children in their health, personal development, education and enjoyment of life.

“Football and my foundation are two of my big passions,” said Nash. “And the chance to bring together guys like Thierry and Baron and Jason and Claudio [was] a lot of fun.”

Angelina Jolie Donates Jacket To Charity Auction

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Angelina Jolie is auctioning off clothes she wore in her latest film to benefit a charity established by Morgan Freeman.

Plan!t Now is an organization that provides people, communities, and companies with the information they need to protect their families, homes, businesses, resources, and documents from the effects of storm and hurricane-related disasters, and the new online auction features a range of celebrity-donated items to raise money to help those in need.

Jolie has donated the jacket she wore onscreen during her up-coming feature Wanted to the cause, and Freeman – her co-star in the movie – has put up opportunities to meet him at his latest theatre appearance and also to join him in a round of golf. George Clooney has donated an autographed pair of boots, and there are also chances to attend concerts by Keith Urban and Eric Clapton.

The auction, which runs on the Charity Folks website, runs until July 1.

Fans of the Eagles should also head over to Charity Folks to check out some of the signed merchandise up for grabs from the classic rockers. There’s a signed guitar, poster, and Long Road Out Of Eden CD on offer, with proceeds going to the National Kidney Foundation. But be quick, that auction ends tomorrow.

A Chance To Buffet With Buffett

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fancy having lunch with one of the richest men on the planet? Now could be your chance, with an auction being run this week offering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dine with Warren Buffett.

The auction opened on Sunday and has already reached bids of over $77,000, with the final proceeds going to the Glide Foundation, a nonprofit in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district that offers programs for the poor, hungry and homeless. The 77-year-old billionaire investor started donating the private lunches to charity in 2000, and last year’s winner forked out more than $650,000 to enjoy a buffet with Buffett.

And there’ll certainly be no embarrassing lapses in conversation at the table – you can take up to seven friends to enjoy the meal, which will be held at Manhattan steakhouse Smith & Wollensky.

Earlier this year, Forbes magazine estimated Buffet’s net worth at being around $62 billion, and the investor has already pledged most of that to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in his will.

The auction can be accessed via eBay and ends this Friday (June 27).

Montel Williams Steadfast In Battle Against MS

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Earlier this month, Montel Williams took over the Golden Nuggets’ newly renovated pavilion in Las Vegas to host his charity poker tournament to benefit the Montel Williams MS Foundation.

60 players donated $1,080 each to play the charity event, including noted poker professionals Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak, Jamie Gold, Marsha Waggoner and Robert Williamson III. John Colville, Poker Operations Manager, also presented a generous donation of $25,000 to the MS Foundation.

The Montel Williams MS Foundation directs its research towards new treatments and ways to make them available to everyone. Montel said, “I’m going to keep on having these fundraisers until a cure is found. Technology is advancing and so are the treatments. One day a cure is going to happen!”

Montel went public about his MS eight years ago, and since then has been approached by countless people that have been afflicted with the disease. We don’t always get to meet those who benefit from various foundations and their research, but one person who has benefited from the support of the MS Foundation is William Nystrom, a triathlete from Northern California.

Nystrom was diagnosed with MS when he was 27 and was featured in the MS Foundation’s newsletter.

“Montel is truly a leader and role model when it comes to raising MS awareness,” said Nystrom. “I was really proud to have been included. The foundation advocates an active lifestyle: snow boarding, swimming, running, walking…actually any and all physical exercise. Every year they hold an annual bike-riding event to raise money, but because I live on the west coast and not in NYC anymore, it’s really tough for me to participate in them.”

Nystrom may very well be the ideal poster child for the MS Foundation, while calling him inspirational may be the understatement of the year. On June 8, Nystrom won the Escape for Alcatraz Triathlon in his division. It took him 3- hours, 2-minutes and 24 seconds to complete the 1.5-mile swim, 18-mile bike ride and 8-mile run, which placed him 637th overall out of over 2,000 competitors.

“Winning ranks pretty high up there among my accomplishments,” said Nystrom, who also won the Pacific Grove Triathlon last year. “Being able to compete is infectious. There’s a sense of excitement I can’t explain.”

Pete Doherty Inspires Young Cancer Sufferer

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The press sometimes gives celebrities a hard time, concentrating on their problems rather than celebrating the good things that they do. One recent victim has been singer Pete Doherty, who has been quietly helping sick teenagers – such as 16-year-old British schoolboy Dan Squires, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer last November – without any publicity. Doherty not only invited the boy to one of his Babyshambles gigs, but also struck up a friendship with him.

“I only expected a meet-and-greet, but I got my own dressing room, watched the whole gig from the stage, hung out with the band afterwards and then got taken to the after-show party,” said Squires, who suffered a stroke last month and is now confined to a wheelchair. “It was incredible what they did because they didn’t need to do that.”

Squires, who has also met Oasis star Noel Gallagher and The Who’s Roger Daltrey, took gifts to one of Doherty’s gigs last week, and was surprised at the band’s response.

“I took them each a friendship bracelet for what they’ve done for me, and Pete just took off the bracelet he was wearing and gave it to me,” he told Journal Live. “He had also brought a book and signed the inside cover with a special message. It’s just lovely. I couldn’t believe it. I feel very privileged.”

Doherty also dedicated a recent concert to Squires and pledged to help raise more funds for his treatment.

“All of us have just been incredibly inspired by the Squires family’s stoicism and Dan’s bravery,” said the band’s manager, Adrian Hunter. “And [also] how well he is dealing with the card that life has dealt him.”

Doherty also surprised concert-goers at a Teenage Cancer Trust concert two weeks ago, when his band took to the stage unannounced in London. He had designed a pair of sneakers that were auctioned by the charity, and rushed straight to the gig from Sweden.

“Teenage Cancer Trust has seen on a number of occasions how musicians can really have a positive impact on young people going through a hard time,” said a spokesperson for the charity. “Babyshambles have really helped Daniel through this very difficult period and have been such an inspiration to him. We’re grateful to Babyshambles for deciding to donate to us through their guest lists.”

And Daniel hopes to hear more from his new friend.

“Pete and the band have just been absolutely amazing and hopefully I will be able to stay well enough to see them play again,” he said. “They have given me the goal to stay well. They’ve given me hope and something to look forward to.”

Britto Brings Water Home

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto has joined forces with the BrazilFoundation and beverage company O.N.E. World Enterprises to bring fresh water to drought-prone communities in Brazil.

This summer, O.N.E. will donate a portion of sales proceeds from its all-natural, coconut water beverage to BrazilFoundation, which will use the money to build 200 wood-lined cisterns to collect rainwater for households in Brazil’s northeastern states of Pernambuco and Paraiba. Besides contributing to better health through the provision of safe drinking water, this will also cut the daily task of mothers and children walking miles to the nearest clean water supply.

Typical of his style, the bright, bold and lively label for the drink was designed by Romero Britto: “As an artist, I am privileged and honored to be able to lend my talent in support of this project. As a Brazilian from Pernambuco… I applaud companies like O.N.E. and the BrazilFoundation for taking action on behalf of those in dire need.”

O.N.E. – whose drink contains no added sugar, fat, cholesterol or preservatives, and is packed in environmentally sound Tetra Pak – is proud of its involvement in this effort. O.N.E.’s president, Rodrigo Veloso, says, “As a company founded on the ideal of using natural ingredients to promote healthy living, O.N.E. is committed to lending its resources to the fight for the most basic of all natural ingredients so scarce for millions today – clean drinking water.”

The limited edition coconut water drink can be purchased across the United States at Whole Foods and Krogers stores, and at Amazon.com.

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