Look To The Stars News: Kate Linder

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With Kate Linder

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Kate Linder has appeared on The Young and the Restless for 27 years and was named celebrity spokesperson for The ALS Association in early 2005.

Earlier this month, she went to Washington to lobby for more funds to fight ALS – Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – for the fifth year in a row. In 2006, Linder won the organization’s All-Star Award for her passionate service to the cause and won their Packman Award in 2007. Kate travels around the country to participate in and encourage other volunteers at the ALS Association’s fundraisers, Walk to D’Feet ALS, and in their fundraising dinners for local chapters.

The ALS Association’s mission is to lead the fight to cure and treat ALS – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy – through global, cutting-edge research, and to empower people with Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.

Why did you decide to support this organization?

My brother-in-law, Scott, was diagnosed with ALS in 2004, and I had heard about ALS before because Michael Zaslow, who was on Guiding Light, had it. When Scott came down with it, I thought “Oh gosh, I have to get involved and see what I can do here”.

Have you seen improvement and passion towards people who have ALS by this foundation?

Oh yes, they’re definitely passionate. I just came back from Washington DC, because they were having their conference and advocacy day… There are more and more new people coming. There’s a new CEO now, Jane Gilbert, who I was very impressed with, and I think that we’re going to see the association grow by leaps and bounds and the Association will be able to help everyone across the country.

What did you see different in her that’s different than the past CEO?

She really gets it. Her best friend’s husband had ALS, so she knew about ALS and was close to the situation. She was also head of the Red Cross and had managed over 760 chapters across the country, so she’s no stranger to dealing with adversity and problems. She has a passion for ALS because of her involvement with the disease through her friend. She really cares about the patient, chapters, care givers and everyone. She just wants to raise awareness. A lot of that is my job; I’m out there trying to raise awareness. They call it an orphan’s disease because they say that there’re not that many people that have it, but that’s not the case at all. Just as many people come down with ALS as cancer. With a lot of cancers now, they’re treatable – but with ALS, it’s a death sentence and you don’t survive it. So that’s why the numbers are lower.

For someone who has never volunteered with the Association, where’s a good place to start?

Contact the association. There are lots of different chapters in different states. If you can’t find a chapter, one could contact the association and then the association would put them in touch.

What was the first job you did when you first became a volunteer for the Association?

They have walks, called the Walk to Defeat ALS. I’ve appeared at lots of the walks to raise money, and I shot a PSA with my brother-n-law …right in the beginning I did that. I also narrated a video that they have as well. I really just did what I could and went to as many places as I could.

Where you raised to give back?

Well, I’ve always given back. I saw my parents giving back and donating every since I was a little girl. But, I’ve been on the Young and the Restless for some time; I’ve just had my 27th year. It’s so amazing…here I am doing what I’ve always wanted to do. It’s not only my privilege, but it’s my duty to give back. I feel so fortunate and if I can give back and help people, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m so grateful to Young and the Restless, because they’ve afforded me the opportunity to be able to do this. Hopefully people will listen to me about ALS.

Do think that people in Hollywood are doing enough to raise awareness about ALS?

No, I don’t. You say ALS and people will look at you like what’s that. It’s a horrific disease; you are trapped in your own body. Can you imagine that your mind works perfectly? My brother-in-law’s brain is probably better than mine. He knows what’s going on, but he’s lying in a bed and can’t move anything. He can blink his eyes maybe and communicate by that. It’s horrific. I can’t tell you how bad it is. I know that there will be a cure found. It’s just a matter of when. There will be a cure, it’s just that we have to make it happen faster. It’s unbelievable. It attacks the nerve cells and then attacks its way through the brain and spinal cord, so when those cells die the muscle control and the movement dies with them. The person is totally paralyzed, but the mind is just as sharp and alert as it ever was. The average life span is 2-5 years, but some people do live longer and I have met some that have.

What would you like to see change about the world when it comes to charity work?

If everyone could help and gave a little time, times are tough for everybody. It’s a bad time right now and the charities are really hurting. They are totally suffering, because people have to cut down on things, and maybe people that gave before feel like they can’t do it, they don’t have the money. If every person gave a dollar, that would be a lot of money. If people can’t give money, at least volunteer, that would be so helpful.

Will any of your upcoming work reflect your work you have done with the ALS Association, maybe a book or movie something?

I’m always looking for that and that would be great. There’s nothing right now, but I think that would be just fabulous.

In being named celebrity spokesperson for the ALS Association, have you been able to make a lot more progress in raising awareness? Do you feel like the position appointed to you has really helped you do more with the Association?

I’ve had people come up to me and thank me. So many people came up to me in the last couple of days in Washington, DC and thanked me for coming and being there, and they feel I put a face to the disease. If I can help in that manner then I am so grateful, because I will do anything that I can to try and get awareness out that this is not a rare thing. Every day an average of 15 people are diagnosed. That’s 5,600 people a year, and as many as 30,000 American people are affected right now.

Can people volunteer as a care person?

Yes, Congress has provided money for the Respit Care Act and for the registry. We wanted $5 million – they’ve given several million. So they know how many men and women get the disease and what their occupation was.

What is the last thought you want to leave with people regarding ALS?

Andrew Sweetson made a statement that has always stuck with me. I have to give him credit. “It doesn’t matter how many breaths you take in this lifetime, but what you do with them.” That is how I feel and that’s what I’m trying to do. A lot of people that have ALS are out there trying to make a difference, their life span may be shorter, but they are doing something with what they have. You have to look at yourself and say what can I do to help.

There was a gentleman who lost his wife who had ALS, he has two young kids and when they were going through it he said his neighborhood organized help. He kept a list of everything he needed done. When people came up to him and asked what they could do, he would go down his list. One of his neighbors organized a dinner for them every night. All the families in the neighborhood made a little extra dinner every night so his family could have a home cooked meal every night. Little things like that go a long way.

Look To The Stars would like to thank Kate Linder for taking the time to talk to us. To learn more about the ALS Association, visit their website.

Miley Cyrus To Give Her Time For Heroes

Tue, 26 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Miley Cyrus will perform at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s 20th annual A Time for Heroes Celebrity Picnic next month.

Over the last 20 years, A Time for Heroes has earned a reputation as a unique event of exceptional quality and entertainment value. Most importantly, A Time for Heroes is a crucial funding source for the Foundation’s programs — raising more than $30 million since the event began in 1990.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is dedicated to creating a future of hope for children and families worldwide by eradicating pediatric AIDS, providing care and treatment to people with HIV/AIDS, and accelerating the discovery of new treatments for other serious and life-threatening pediatric illnesses.

The picnic will take place at the Wadsworth Theatre Grounds in Los Angeles on June 7 and is expected to attract celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Tom Arnold, Seth Green, Shenae Grimes, Angie Harmon, Tony Hawk, Melissa Joan Hart, Kate Linder, Peter Wentz, Henry Winkler, Kim Kardashian, Kevin Sorbo, Sharon Stone, Seal, Ashlee Simpson and many more.

In past years, guests have been treated to such one-of-a-kind moments as Tom Cruise in the dunk tank and Jack Nicholson reading in the storytelling area. In addition to interacting with their favorite celebrities, guests are treated to an array of culinary treats from some of Los Angeles’ finest restaurants, including Beacon: An Asian Café, Clementine, Crustacean, Drago Ristorante, and, of course, Pink’s Hot Dogs among others. A Time for Heroes is expected to raise approximately $1.5 million to help the Foundation create a generation free of HIV.

The charity is also giving you and three guests the opportunity to meet Miley Cyrus at the event and walk the red carpet as part of an online auction. Be the envy of all of your friends as you make your way backstage for a special meet-and-greet/photo op with superstar Miley Cyrus! To make the day even more special, you and your guests will receive front-row access during Miley’s rockin’ performance!

To be part of the auction, visit the Charity Folks website before May 28.

To find out more about the picnic and purchase tickets, click here.

Celebrities Expected For Kirk Douglas Thanksgiving Meal

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Yesterday, Look To The Stars brought you news about Kirk Douglas’ annual Thanksgiving Meal for the Homeless. We can now announce the lineup of stars expected to join the 91-year-old at the Los Angeles Mission.

Making a difference for Thanksgiving this year are Jennifer Love Hewitt (Ghost Whisperer), Cindy Crawford, Corbin Bleu (High School Musical III), Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty), Neil McDonough (Desperate Housewives), Rebecca Mader (Lost), James Black (Starter Wife), Wilmer Valderrama (Fast Food Nation), Christopher Knight (Brady Bunch), Adrianne Curry (America’s Next Top Model), Doug Rinehardt (The Hills), Deniece Williams (Singer-Songwriter), Katherine Kelly Lang (the Bold and the Beautiful), Daren Kagasoff (Secret Life of the American Teenager), Nora Zehetner (Heroes), Natasha Alam (the Women), Alaina Huffman (Smallville), Christa Campbell (Day of the Dead), Shirly Brener (Righteous Kill), Kate Linder (the Young and the Restless), Ross McCall (Band of Brothers), Brandon Barash (General Hospital), C. S. Lee (Dexter), Jorge-Luis Pallo (Secret Life of the American Teenager), and Casey Reinhardt (Laguna Beach). And, as in past years, there will be a few more surprises on the day.

The celebrities are expected to gather at the Los Angeles Mission – on the corner of E. Fifth Street and Wall Street – at 10:45am tomorrow, November 26, and start dishing out meals to the city’s homeless at 11am. The event will run until 3pm.

Soaps In The City On Thursday

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Soap stars from The Young and The Restless, Days Of Our Lives, General Hospital, and The Bold and the Beautiful will be out in force on Thursday, October 16, to kick off the annual AIDS Walk LA.

Judith Chapman, Christian LeBlanc, Kristoff St. John, Daniel Goddard, Billy Miller, Kate Linder, Kimberly McCullough, Megan Ward, Lisa LoCicero, Brandon Barash, Carolyn Hennesy, Heather Tom, John McCook, Texas Battle, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, James Scott, Nadia Bjorlin, Galen Gering, Ariane Zuker, Shelley Hennig, Rachel Melvin, Molly Burnett, Emcee Patrika Darbo, and Martha Madison will be taking part in the Soaps In The City event in West Hollywood to support AIDS Project Los Angeles.

The evening will feature a night of red carpet arrivals, cocktails, and hanging out with the brightest stars in the genre. In addition, “Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps” will host a special “Soap Family Feud” competition between soap stars and their fans. And very special guest, “One Life to Live’s” Ilene Kristen, will give the crowd a musical performance not to miss. A special auction will also be held, with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as a phone call with “General Hospital’s” Maurice Benard or “ATWT’s” Van Hansis, a set visit to The Bold and the Beautiful and your own personal shopping day with Lauren Koslow!

Since 1985, AIDS Walk Los Angeles has raised $59 million for HIV programs and services in Los Angeles County, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in California. In 2007 alone, 30,000 participants, many of whom were members of 1,400 corporate and community teams, raised a record sum of more than $3.9 million for AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) and other local AIDS service organizations. This year’s event will take place on October 19.

More information can be found at the Soaps In The City website.

Fantasy Poker Night Benefits Lili Claire Foundation

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 18:09:44 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Familiar celebrity faces met with members of the public for a fundraising evening of no-limit Texas Hold-Em poker while enjoying cocktails poolside at the W Hotel. Cadillac cars transported guests to and from the venue for a star-studded fantasy poker experience on July 10th.

Guests included Jeremy Sisto, Jason Ritter, Pete Yorn, Brian Baumgartner, Willie Garson, Jason Mewes, Andy Milonakis, Shari Belafonte, Don Most, Bob Goen, Victoria Pratt, Paul Johansson, Kate Linder, Patrick Fabian, Kelli Williams, Samm Levine, Kato Kaelin, Norby Walters, Josh Charles, Mitch Allan, Shaun Toub, Kathleen Madigan, Michael DeLorenzo, and Ken Howard.

Brian Baumgarter of “The Office” was the lucky winner, and a generous donation was made to The Lili Claire Foundation in his name.

The event was organised by Hollywood Fantasy Experience and NSO Entertainment, in association with HollywoodPoker.com, to benefit the Lili Claire Foundation.

Lili Claire Foundation was established to enhance the lives of children born with Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other neurogenetic birth conditions, while providing hope and resources to the families who love them.

Look To The Stars News: Kate Linder

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With Kate Linder

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