Look To The Stars News: RyanDan

Sheryl Crow And Sting Perform One Night Live

Mon, 25 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Singers Sheryl Crow and Sting performed last Thursday in Toronto at the One Night Live benefit to support a new health program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Sunnybrook is a world leader in perinatal and gynaecological research and care, particularly in high risk pregnancies, and houses a multiple birth clinic that specializes in caring for women carrying more than one baby at a time. Their state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot centre for the High Risk Mothers & Babies Program is still being expanded in order to accommodate hundreds more babies each year.

In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Sting explained why he decided to perform in the fundraiser: “I did it because Sheryl was doing it.” Crow added, “And I did it because Sting was doing it.”

As parents, Crow and Sting both see the value in the Sunnybrook unit and were happy to participate in the concert. Crow said, “My son is the most important person in [my life]. I love it when there’s a charitable component. .. And to be part of something that is doing good work.”

Last year’s performers – Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, and RyanDan – along with a private $8 million donation from Aubrey and Marla Dan – raised $12 million for the centre. The new complex is due to be completed mid-2010.

Olivia Newton-John Kept Busy With Charity Work

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Australian superstar Olivia Newton-John raised over $2 million for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre when she walked the length of the Great Wall of China in April. But her work hasn’t stopped there, and she has been busy with a number of charity initiatives recently – all in the name of raising cancer awareness.

Last week the four-time Grammy winner announced a partnership with Curves – the world’s largest fitness franchise for women – to launch an international campaign to distribute 1 million units of Liv Aid, a breast self-exam aid. The initiative’s goal is to empower and encourage women to take control of their bodies and breast health as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Being a breast cancer ‘thriver,’ I know that early detection is key to good breast health,” said the 59-year-old, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1992. “My wish is that all women age 20 and above perform monthly breast self-examinations. With the wonderful support of Curves, an organization whose mission statement is ‘strengthening women,’ I hope that this campaign will be the beginning to have the Liv Aid available to every woman in the U.S. and it will become a staple in every medicine cabinet in the next five years.”

The packs will be available for free exclusively from Curves in the US, and a website – www.liv.com – will also be set up as a one-stop source for information, news and education about breast health and early detection.

The singer is also set to relive her Grease days when she performs the iconic hit Summer Nights with Guy Sebastian at a fundraising concert later this month.

A host of Australian celebrities – including Christine Anu, Kate Ceberano, Tim Freedman, Melinda Schneider, James Reyne, Axle Whitehead and Daryl Braithwaite – will join Newton-John at the Olivia Newton-John and Friends Gala Fundraiser at the Sydney State Theatre on September 30 to raise money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal.

“It’s going to be really fun night, with a lot of really talented people, and I get to sing with a few of them, so that will be great fun,” said Newton-John. “I also hope to do Courageous with Melinda [Schneider] because we recorded it together and it’s such a beautiful song.”

The appeal is aiming to build a world class cancer centre at Melbourne’s Austin Hospital, with construction set to begin next year.

“I believe we’re going to be breaking ground next year, so I can’t wait to hit the pick axe first,” she said. “I don’t know the timeline yet, but we’re getting some major grants coming through, so that’s really exciting.”

The concert follows the release of the singer’s charity CD, Olivia Newton-John and Friends – A Celebration in Song. Released last month and available through Amazon, the CD features duets with a range of stars, including Keith Urban, Barry Gibb, Delta Goodrem, Jimmy Barnes, Jann Arden, RyanDan, Richard Marx and Cliff Richard.

A portion of the proceeds from the album will also go to the The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre to provide world-class research into all types of cancer.

Look To The Stars Asks RyanDan

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:55:18 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

RyanDan is a Canadian singing duo currently taking the world by storm. Their tight sibling harmonies and operatic pop have gained them millions of fans, and their self-titled album reached number 7 in the UK charts in 2007 and is set to be released in the US this month.

Look To The Stars recently caught up with the duo, which consists of identical twins Ryan and Dan Kowarsky, and asked them about their thoughts on making the world a better place.

Hi guys. You dedicated one of your songs, “Tears of an Angel”, to your niece, Tal Doron. Tell us a little about the Tal Doron Memorial Fund, why it is important to you, and how you are supporting it.

When we were recording our album in London, we were shocked to get a call from our family in Toronto letting us know that our 3 and a 1/2 year old niece, Tal, had a malignant brain tumor. We flew home right away to be with her. She went through a very difficult year of treatments, but unfortunately the tumor was very aggressive, and she passed away last August. We were very close to her. Through this experience, we learned that brain tumors are the second most common cancer in children, and the main cause of cancerous death in children… yet there is still so much that isn’t known about how to prevent or treat them.

The Tal Doron Memorial Fund was set up to help fund research projects at SickKids Hospital, which will help in the understanding and treatment of brain tumors in children. SickKids is one of the leading centers for children’s health care in the world. The fund will also support b.r.a.i.n.child, a volunteer organization dedicated to raising awareness about childhood brain tumors, providing funding for research, and supporting families.

How can people get in touch with the Tal Doron Memorial Fund and make donations?

You can make donations directly through our website, www.ryandan.com. There are also links to more information about this cause.

So far, our fans have been extremely supportive of our cause and we are amazed at how people are willing to help… not only by donating, but volunteering their time, etc.

You recently performed at the One Night Live benefit concert in support of the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center's Women and Babies Program, along with Sarah McLachlan and Josh Groban. Tell us a little about the night and what drew you to it.

With all of the difficulties we have gone through with our little niece Tal, we try to do anything we can for children in the world. This was a perfect opportunity for us to help raise money for a great cause.
It was incredible to share the stage with Bryan Adams and the rest of the performers. Bryan is someone we grew up listening to, and to actually sing with him on stage was a dream for us.

Are there any other charities or causes you support that you think need help?

Of course – there are many, many important causes that need attention in the world today. Right now, we are focusing our efforts on paediatric brain tumor research. We are all touched by the particular things we experience in life. As time goes on and our career grows and takes us in different directions, we hope to be able to learn more about other needs, and to raise awareness and funds for other charitable causes.

To what extent does the music you perform reflect your desire to make the world a better place?

Being able to express ourselves through our music is something that we don’t take for granted. We are so blessed to be able to touch so many people all around the world. We get tons of fan mail from people telling us how are music has taken them through a very difficult time in their lives. Hearing that makes it all worth while.

Where do you find your inspiration to help others?

Our inspiration comes from some of our favourite artists – from Mario Lanza through to Boyz II Men. We like to write about things that we go through in our lives, and also things we see our friends and/or family go through.

Why do you think it is important for people to give and help others?

The famous writer Henry James put it perfectly: Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.

Kindness is the only thing that keeps this world going. Without it there’s no point.

What would you say to someone who wants to help a cause but doesn’t know where to start?

Start by getting as much information as you can about what is already being done to help this cause. This should give you some direction about what is needed. The internet is a great tool… both for gathering this type of information and for reaching a lot of people.

Many of our readers are non-profit organizations that wish to attract high profile supporters. How would a charity gain your attention?

We try to support as many charities as we can. Obviously there are so many out there, but I think it’s important for people in the public eye to use their position to bring awareness to so many things going on in the world.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing the world today, environmental or social? How can one person make a difference and help solve that problem?

Ignorance.

We have a responsibility to learn…each person should take it upon him or herself learn more about the problems in the world… As long as you remain ignorant, you will not see the need to help make changes.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, guys. All the best with the album release in the US.

Stars Perform One Night Live For Hospital

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:31:03 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Singers Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, and RyanDan played a One Night Live concert last month in Toronto which – along with a private $8 million donation from Aubrey and Marla Dan – raised $12 million for the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a world leading hospital in perinatology and gynecology.

“Aubrey and I… wanted to give back to the hospital to help provide the leading-edge facilities that mothers and their babies deserve,” said Maria Dan. “Our miracle baby [delivered at Sunnybrook] is now a 15-year-old teenager.”

Sarah McLachlan also remembers the 21 hours of hard back labor with her first child and caesarean section with her second, “I understand the need to have a really good facility, in particular for high-risk babies, and just to give mothers and babies every opportunity to get the best foot forward. I think this is a really good unit that they’re building.”

The generous gift and concert proceeds will be put towards the construction of a new state-of-the-art, 150,000 square foot home for the High Risk Mothers & Babies Program at Sunnybrook. The current facility is in serious need of space in which to conduct its life-saving work for the 4000 babies born there each year. The new complex, due to be completed mid-2010, will increase that number to 4,500.

“Donors like the Dans, and everyone attending One Night Live, enable us to help families at this most important time — childbirth,” said Dr. Jennifer Blake, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sunnybrook. “We will be there for families with happy, uncomplicated pregnancies, but thanks to this wonderful generosity, we will also be able to give the best start possible to those moms and babies who most need the expert care for which our program is known.”

“The success of this event brings us even closer to our $300 million Campaign for Sunnybrook goal,” said Jennifer Tory, Chair of the Sunnybrook Foundation. “This has exceeded all our expectations.”

Look To The Stars News: RyanDan

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