Look To The Stars News: Halle Berry

Stars Come Out For March Of Dimes

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Halle Berry and Nicole Richie were among the stars at the March Of Dimes’ Fourth Annual Celebration of Babies luncheon.

The event recognizes prominent individuals who are celebrating the birth of their children, and who are role models for March of Dimes commitment to improve the health of babies.

As part of the March of Dimes November Prematurity Awareness Month campaign, celebrities and special guests were urged to join the fight for preemies!

Held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, the Celebration of Babies luncheon honored Dr. Robert Katz M.D., obstetrician to the stars, with the Golden Rattle Award for his commitment to the March of Dimes mission. The March of Dimes Community Award was presented to Donna Holloran, MSW; Allison LaTona, MFT; and Shelley Reicher-Lawrence, CPE of BABYGROUP.

The event also highlighted March of Dimes Stork Club: a group of celebrities and prominent individuals who have welcomed a baby or who are expecting a baby in 2009. This year’s Stork Club, sponsored by Stride Rite, includes: Actor Hank Azaria & Katie Wright, Actress Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips, Musician Howie Dorough & Leigh Dorough, Marketing Director Mitchell Davis & Clare Davis, Lucky Magazine W. Coast Bureau Chief Marlien Rentmeester & John Phelps, Actress/Producer Nicole Richie & Singer Joel Madden, Actress Nicole Sullivan & Actor Jason Packham, Producer Jennifer Todd & Actor Chris Messina. March of Dimes celebrity volunteer parents who also attended the luncheon were Julie Bowen, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Kellie Martin, Elisabeth Rohm, Nicole Sullivan, Alimi Ballard, and Sean Patrick Thomas

 More than 300 guests were greeted with a luxury boutique shopping experience, which included the finest selection of designer clothes, accessories and gifts from vendors: Homemade Baby, Mustela, Heather Moore Jewelry, Bella Inspired, Terri Michele Fragrances, Dr. Peter’s Child Identity Kit, Petit Bijou by Garcelle, Tough Cookies Boutique, Baby Eggi, The Silly Wagon and Dr. Fresh. Fundraising continued with a live and silent auction where guests bid on lavish gifts and luxurious vacations donated by the event’s committee volunteers. News anchor Lauren Sanchez hosted the luncheon program and auction.

Through research, education, advocacy and community programs, the March of Dimes is a champion for the health of all babies. For more than 70 years the March of Dimes has enjoyed a rich history of Hollywood celebrity support. Stars like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and many others have volunteered for March of Dimes lifesaving campaigns. Proceeds from the Los Angeles Celebration of Babies luncheon benefit March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. November is Prematurity Awareness Month, when the March of Dimes calls on everyone who cares about babies to “Fight for Preemies.” Premature birth, the leading cause of newborn death, has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., affecting more than half a million babies each year. Hollywood moms and dads are joining March of Dimes to celebrate their healthy babies and raise funds to ensure all babies have a healthy start. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

To view video clips from this event, click here.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Leads Diabetes Campaign

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Dwayne Johnson has joined with Novo Nordisk, a world-leader in diabetes care, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a leading charitable organization of the entertainment industry, to encourage families to get active together as a means to help prevent diabetes.

As an ambassador for the Diabetes Aware campaign, Johnson will appear in a public service announcement (PSA) to educate families about the prevalence of diabetes and the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle.

The PSA is part of the ongoing Diabetes Aware educational campaign sponsored by Novo Nordisk and the EIF. The campaign aims to reach the 24 million Americans who are living with diabetes, as well as the estimated 6.2 million Americans who are unaware that they have the disease, to underline the importance of detection, monitoring and proper management of diabetes.

A lifelong athlete and known for starring in family-friendly movies, Johnson recognizes the value of a healthy lifestyle in helping to prevent and manage diabetes for both children and adults.

“I’m honored to serve as an ambassador to the Diabetes Aware campaign, and I want to encourage families to be active and eat right,” said Johnson. “Small steps can go a long way in managing diabetes, its complications, and raising healthy, active children.”

With the launch of this new PSA, Johnson becomes the latest celebrity ambassador to join the Diabetes Aware program since its inception in 2004. Past ambassadors include Halle Berry, Cuba Gooding Jr., Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Kline and Jon Lovitz among others.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation and believe Dwayne Johnson is a great ambassador for the Diabetes Aware program based on his dedication to reaching families, both on-screen and off-screen,” said Andrew Purcell, Vice-President of Strategic Business Development at Novo Nordisk. “This partnership truly exemplifies Novo Nordisk’s dedication to prevention and ultimately changing diabetes.”

For additional free patient education resources, visit www.ChangingDiabetes-us.com.

Stand Up To Cancer Announces Celebrity Ambassadors

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Stand Up To Cancer announced its list of celebrity ambassadors for 2009 last week.

The organization – which aims to raise money for cancer researchers and scientists to come together and reach their common goal: the cure for cancer – has brought names such as Marcia Cross, Kirsten Dunst, Sally Field, Mandy Moore, Dave Annable, Fran Drescher, Dana Delany, Sharon Osbourne, Patrick Wilson, Sofia Vassilieva and David Archuleta on board to help raise awareness of the cause.

“We are eternally grateful for the continuing support of the Hollywood community who have lent their time and talent to this cause, and engaged the public to do the same,” said Laura Ziskin, who is a member of SU2C executive leadership team. “The entertainment industry generously offered this initiative the most incredible resources—we want to make sure that they know all of their hard work is going toward something monumental.”

Stand Up To Cancer was launched last year with an hour-long TV spectacular – simulcast live on NBC, ABC, and CBS – that featured celebrities such as Jennifer Garner, Halle Berry, Forest Whitaker and Casey Affleck reading accounts of people battling cancer, as well as musical items, comedy sketches, and the opportunity for people to ring up and pledge donations – with stars such as Ellen DeGeneres, America Ferrera and Kirsten Dunst answering the phones.

Celebrity Moms Who Are Changing The World

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Mothers’ Day is a time for recognizing all moms, including some outstanding celebrities. Love Our Children USA has announced the fourth annual “Mothers Who Make A Difference” list, and Cookie magazine has announced their third annual “Smart Cookie” award winners.

In an effort to acknowledge women role models, Love Our Children USA is looking at women with busy careers who nevertheless manage to be good moms and get involved in charitable causes. CEO Ross Ellis says, “We are delighted to honor and celebrate these selfless and caring women who contribute so much to their children, families, society and to various causes.”

The key goal of the organisation is to prevent violence and neglect against children, and the recipient line up for the awards is impressive – Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Tina Fey, Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez, and Julianne Moore are all on this year’s list.

Cookie magazine looks to honor, “the symbiotic relationship between motherhood and citizenship” by awarding women for whom, “bringing kids into the world sparked a palpable desire to bring change to it, too.” Salma Hayek and Uma Thurman are two such women.

“I think that in some ways, all women are mothers,” says Hayek. “It’s in our nature to protect, to nurture, and to feel empathy; this programming just kicks in more strongly when you have children…After having a baby, I found I became so much more vulnerable—to work on a lot of issues and not see a lot of change can become very depressing… I started working with [”UNICEF":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/1-unicef] on raising money for and awareness of the tetanus-vaccination campaign. Tetanus doesn’t really exist in the United States, but it’s still a threat in remote parts of the world, especially to new mothers and infants. By getting the vaccines to these places that need them and by training the locals in how to administer them, we can eliminate tetanus in three to five years. It can be history."

Thurman got involved with Room to Grow 10 years ago when she was expecting her first child. “I lived in the same brownstone as founder Julie Burns, who was just starting it,” says Thurman. “I would see her come in with bags and bags of baby goods. My main function is in fund-raising for the organization, which provides clothing, gear, and developmental toys to children ages 0 to 3 who are living in poverty in New York City and Boston. Clients of Room to Grow meet with social workers on a regular basis for two hours at a time; it’s very dignified and private…Can you imagine a child arriving in kindergarten having never held a book? It’s great to be able to help another mother who has all the same aspirations for her children you do but lacks the resources.”

Halle Berry Launches Charity Bracelet Auction

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Academy Award-winning actress and beauty icon Halle Berry is auctioning off a unique, hand-carved rose gold cuff bracelet to show her support for families dealing with the devastating effects of domestic violence.

As of April 15th, consumers can place bids through CharityBuzz.com for the chance to own this signature piece. The cuff bracelet was designed exclusively for Halle Berry to wear in the advertising campaign for her debut fragrance, Halle by Halle Berry. Net proceeds generated by the auction will be donated to the Jenesse Center, a domestic violence intervention program that Berry has supported for many years.

Berry joined Ashanti, Wayne Brady and a host of other celebrities at an event at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunday, April 19, to launch the auction.

“The Jenesse Center is an organization that is very close to my heart,” said Halle Berry. “Their work makes a tremendous difference in the lives of women and children and I am proud to support such a worthy cause by auctioning off this beautiful bracelet.”

Designed by Gara Danielle, this stunning cuff bracelet was inspired by Halle Berry’s natural beauty and was designed specifically for Halle to wear on set at the making of her fragrance campaign in Ohahu, Hawaii. Now anyone can have the opportunity to own a replica of the bracelet and support this great cause by bidding on charitybuzz.com. Made from 14K rose gold plate over sterling silver, this adjustable cuff is valued at $4,000.

The Jenesse Center is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1980 and provides help to victims of domestic violence with a comprehensive centralized base of support through facilities, education and health programs, case management, and legal services. The overall goal of the Jenesse Center is to change the pattern of abuse in the lives of women and children.

Click here for more information on this important cause and a chance to own this special piece of jewelry designed by Gara Danielle.

Bid On A Vespa Signed By The Stars For Charity

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Stand Up To Cancer recently teamed up with Island Def Jam records to launch an exciting new star-studded charity auction.

Celebrity guests at the record label’s VIP lounge at the Sundance Film Festival had the chance to sign a Vespa S50, and now the charity is selling the bike to the highest bidder.

Stars who have signed their name on the item include Alan Cumming, Andie MacDowell, Anne Heche, Christie Brinkley, Dominic Cooper, Hoobastank, Robin Thicke, Terrell Owens, Wesley Snipes, Christina Milian, Kevin Sorbo, Razorlight, Jon Mclaughlin and many more.

Stand Up To Cancer is a non-profit organization that aims to raise money for cancer researchers and scientists to come together and reach their common goal: the cure for cancer. Last September they held a huge star-studded telethon to raise money and awareness for their cause. Simulcast live on NBC, ABC, and CBS, the telethon featured celebrities such as Jennifer Garner, Halle Berry, Forest Whitaker and Casey Affleck reading accounts of people battling cancer, as well as musical items, comedy sketches, and the opportunity for people to ring up and pledge donations – with stars such as Ellen DeGeneres, America Ferrera and Kirsten Dunst answering the phones.

For a chance to bid on the celebrity autographed Vespa and help the cause, visit the Charity Folks website.

Buy Halle Berry's Favorite Bag For Charity

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Halle Berry is donating some love this holiday season after teaming up with Coach Leatherware for a special promotion: Coach Cares.

Coach developed Coach Cares as a way to support the philanthropic causes of various celebrity fans by donating a percentage of the sales from handbags and accessories to charity.

Now through December 31, you can help Berry’s charity of choice, the Jenesse Center – which aids victims of domestic violence – by purchasing the suede ‘Halle Berry Style Coach Bag’ where 20% of the proceeds will benefit Jenesse Center.

This unique viral campaign allows celebrities to highlight their charitable interests and raise awareness and funds for their favorite causes. Participants include Jessica Alba, Evangeline Lily, Eva Longoria, Mandy Moore, Ryan Reynolds, Rosario Dawson, Rebecca Romijn, Ali Larter, Kerry Washington and many others, and charities include Peace Games, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Eva’s Heroes, the SPCA, The Art of Elysium, V-Day and more.

Coach Cares will be featured on www.coach.com and www.facebook.com, the popular social networking Web site, and will run now through Dec. 31st. The products can be purchased here.

Comedy Celebration To Raise Money For Myeloma Research

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ray Romano is set to host the International Myeloma Foundation’s second annual Comedy Celebration tomorrow night, November 15.

The event will kick off at 6pm at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre and Club on South Lucerne Boulevard with a cocktail reception and silent auction, with the comedy show starting at 8pm. The evening promises to deliver hilarious performances from Patricia Heaton, Jeff Garlin, Kevin James, Robert Klein, Doris Roberts, and Fred Willard, and will also feature the original one-and-only Blues Brothers – AKA Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi.

Proceeds from the evening will go to the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund at the International Myeloma Foundation, dedicated to fighting the deadly cancer of the bone marrow for which there is currently no known cure.

Honorary chairs of the event include Alec and William Baldwin, Halle Berry, Candice Bergen, Kim Cattrall, Ted Danson, Mariska Hargitay, Ethan Hawke, Michael Keaton, Robin Leach, Bette Midler, and many others.

The event is almost sold out, but more information and tickets can be found at the Comedy Celebration website.

Get Ready For The Carousel Of Hope This Weekend

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The annual Carousel of Hope Gala will take place this weekend to raise money for the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes.

Presented by Jay Leno, the gala will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 25, and will honor Denzel Washington for his charity work.

This year celebrates 30 years of helping children with diabetes through the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. Held every two years, this is the 18th Carousel of Hope. From its inception in 1978, the Ball has raised over $70 million.

The gala will feature performances from Josh Groban, the Jonas Brothers, Katharine McPhee and many more under the music direction of David Foster. The guest list is expected to be huge, with stars such as Tom Arnold, Melanie Griffith & Antonio Banderas, Halle Berry, Valerie Bertinelli, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bo Derek, Geena Davis, Daisy Fuentes, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammar, Tom Hanks, Taraji P. Henson, Anjelica Huston, Magic Johnson, Dr. Phil McGraw, Holly Robinson-Peete & Rodney Peete, Nicole Richie, Jane Seymour, Nicollette Sheridan, Forest Whitaker and James Woods all expected to attend. Clive Davis, Quincy Jones and Sidney Poitier will take part in Denzel Washington’s presentation.

The evening will feature a silent auction that includes an array of eco-friendly shirts donated by Guess and signed by Jason Bateman, Halle Berry, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood, Will Ferrell, Harrison Ford, Cuba Gooding Jr., Whitney Houston, Scarlett Johansson, Jason Lee, Jared Leto, Bill Maher, Steve Martin, Jack Nicholson, Ray Romano, Maria Shriver & Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rod Stewart, Usher and many more. There will also be handbags signed by Joan Collins, Courteney Cox, Cindy Crawford, Dakota Fanning, Mariska Hargitay, Fergie, Susan Sarandon, Britney Spears and Racquel Welch, as well as items from Trace Adkins, P. Diddy, Marcia Cross, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Andie MacDowell, Alyssa Milano, Eva Longoria, Dolly Parton, Priscilla Presley, Denise Richards, Joel Madden, Sharon Stone, John Travolta, Carrie Underwood and many more.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit clinical care and research at the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes (BDC) where over 5,000 children and young adults receive specialized care.

Celebrity Endorsement Pulls Young Voters

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new study has revealed how celebrity endorsement can encourage young people to vote.

“Celebrities have the power to motivate civic engagement regardless of their own grasp of the issues at hand,” reported a study by Washington State University published in the Mass Communication and Society journal. “Celebrity endorsed campaigns successfully lowered complacency and helped young people believe in their own impact on the political system. Young people got involved at higher levels and became increasingly aware of societal issues.”

According to the study, initiatives from stars such as Jessica Alba – who recently featured in several ad campaigns for Declare Yourself – as well as Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé Knowles have influenced the youth vote in America. 44% of newly registered voters in 2004 were between 18 and 25.

This year’s voters have been encouraged by a host of celebrity campaigns, such as Death Cab for Cutie’s free concert offer and the recent 5 Friends video that featured will.i.am, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Connolly, Courteney Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Kiedis, Ashton Kutcher, Adam Levine, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Esai Morales, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Ethan Suplee, Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Usher, and Forest Whitaker.

About 44 million people aged 18 to 29 are eligible to vote in the November 4 presidential election. If young voter turnout exceeds 50%, it will be only the third time since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1972.

Hollywood Urges US To Vote

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of the brightest stars in Hollywood have joined forces in a new video encouraging people to vote in the upcoming US elections.

The 5-minute film, which is called 5 Friends and can be viewed here, features appearances from Amy Adams, Tatyana Ali, will.i.am, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Connolly, Courteney Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Kiedis, Ashton Kutcher, Adam Levine, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Esai Morales, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Ethan Suplee, Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Usher, and Forest Whitaker.

The video, which uses a little bit of reverse psychology to get people to the polls, was organized by Declare Yourself, a national nonprofit campaign initiated in 2004 to energize and empower a new movement of young voters.

“If you’re not going to vote I don’t even know what to say to you anymore,” says DiCaprio in the video, which was shot in his home in LA. “You know you have to vote.”

Declare Yourself has also launched a new print and internet advertisement featuring Jessica Alba.

Last month the star appeared gagged and wrapped in plastic in an ad for the organization. In the new campaign, Alba appears wearing only a Hannibal Lecter-type mask called “The Muzzler.”

The advertisement can be seen at the Declare Yourself website.

Halle Berry Reveals Philanthropic Inspiration

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Academy Award winner Halle Berry has revealed how she was inspired to become a major spokesperson for women’s cancer causes after discovering her obstetrician’s wife was battling breast cancer.

Berry – who is an Ambassador for the Calloway Golf Foundation Women’s Cancer Initiative – watched her doctor, Bobby Katz, and his wife battle heroically with the stresses of cancer while he guided the actress through her pregnancy.

“Watching them go through their struggle made me respect the resilience of those who are suffering,” said Berry, who went on to take part in the 15th annual Entertainment Industry Foundation Run/Walk for Women in Los Angeles in May.

The Callaway Golf Foundation Women’s Cancer Initiative was established through $2 million of donations to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Programs. The initiative aims to fast-track breakthrough treatments and tests at leading cancer institutions to beat women’s cancer.

Stand Up To Cancer A Huge Success

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A multitude of stars came out on Friday night as part of the Stand Up To Cancer television extravaganza to raise money for cancer research.

The hour-long program – simulcast live on NBC, ABC, and CBS – featured celebrities such as Jennifer Garner, Halle Berry, Forest Whitaker and Casey Affleck reading accounts of people battling cancer, as well as musical items, comedy sketches, and the opportunity for people to ring up and pledge donations – with stars such as Ellen DeGeneres, America Ferrera and Kirsten Dunst answering the phones.

“This is an absolutely historic night, thanks to the unbelievable generosity of the three networks,” event organiser, producer and cancer survivor Laura Ziskin told the audience at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre.

The biggest surprise of the night was the appearance of Patrick Swayze, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

“He looks amazing,” former basketball player Charles Barkley told People Magazine. “For me, seeing Patrick Swayze, someone who is actually fighting this disease, was the best part of the show. Seeing him in person was amazing.”

The idea behind the event was that it is the lack of funding – and not just research – that is slowing the advance of cancer prevention and treatment, and over $100 million has been raised since the Stand Up To Cancer initiative was launched earlier this year.

The telethon – which was viewed by over 10.5 million people – also featured performances by Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow, and James Taylor, as well as the television premiere of the star-studded charitable single Just Stand Up performed by Mariah Carey, Beyoncé Knowles, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Ray Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes, and Carrie Underwood. Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett underwent a prostate examination on the show, and cartoon character Homer Simpson had a colonoscopy.

Other stars who were part of the show included Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Meryl Streep, David Cook, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Jack Black, Hilary Swank, Jimmy Fallon, and Keanu Reeves, all of whom wanted to do something positive to help the 550,000 Americans and six million people worldwide who die from cancer each year.

As part of Stand Up To Cancer’s efforts, there is also an auction running on eBay that offers the chance to meet the cast of celebrities such as Katie Couric, Stephen Colbert, and Jay Leno. It runs until September 15, and can be accessed through eBay.

Lance Armstrong Stands Up To Cancer Tonight

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Don’t miss Stand Up To Cancer on ABC, CBS and NBC today, Friday, September 5, at 8 p.m. (EST).

A spectacular line up of talent including Jennifer Aniston, James Taylor, Scarlett Johansson, Meryl Streep, David Cook, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Jack Black, Kirsten Dunst, Charles Barkley, America Ferrera, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank, Forest Whitaker, Jimmy Fallon and Keanu Reeves will appear on the one-hour telecast. The celebrities are set to educate you, move you and entertain you, and will even be on hand to answer your calls in the celebrity phone bank.

The premiere TV performance of Just Stand Up – the star studded charitable single in support of Stand Up To Cancer – will be performed by legendary recording artists Mariah Carey, Beyoncé Knowles, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Ray Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes, and Carrie Underwood.

Doug Ulman, President of the Lance Armstrong Foundation says, “Inspired to act by their own personal experiences with cancer, the Stand Up to Cancer team recognizes that we can no longer rely on the current system alone to give us the breakthroughs we need. They are calling on the public to help take matters into our own hands, investing in a revolution that will change the way scientists and clinicians work to understand and treat cancer. Stand Up To Cancer is more than a rallying cry. It is a galvanizing force created to urgently move cancer research forward.”

Tonight’s program is raising funds to build “Dream Teams” made up of scientists, clinicians, technicians and other experts.

For more information about Stand Up To Cancer, and a complete list of celebrities who will be appearing during the show, visit the Stand Up To Cancer Website.

Kyle Maclachlan To Front Women's Cancer PSA

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Desperate Housewives star Kyle Maclachlan is to feature in a new cancer awareness advertisement.

The 49-year-old former Twin Peaks actor is to front a new public service announcement on behalf of the Callaway Golf Foundation Women’s Cancer Initiative urging women to seek early detection for ovarian cancer. His mother died of ovarian cancer in 1986, and MacLachlin wants to honor her memory by taking part in the campaign.

Earlier this year, Halle Berry was announced as the 2008 Ambassador for the initiative’s public service campaign, and has been appearing in magazine and newspaper advertisements for the program.

For more information about the initiative, visit www.callawaygolf.com.

Stars Pause For A Moment Of Silence For Bernie Mac

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

The stars were out in Beverly Hills August 7th through 10th for the 12th Annual American Black Film Festival.

The festival not only showcases independent film but also provides an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and actors to learn about their craft from Hollywood’s accomplished celebs. Among the distinguished guests this year were Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Sanaa Lathan, Mos Def, and many more.

During a Q&A panel session on Saturday evening, actor Micheal Ealy (Barbershop, Miracle at St.Ana_) made a request that everyone pause for a moment of silence for Bernie Mac. His fellow panelists were producer Wil Packer (_Stomp the Yard, This Christmas_), producer QD3 – otherwise known as Quincy Jones Jr. – and actor Nate Parker (_The Great Debaters) who worked with Bernie Mac in the film Pride. Parker learned of Bernie Mac’s Death via a text message and implored the audience never to deliver such grave news via text.

This was the second year in which the festival was held in Los Angeles.

Berry, Selleck Run/Walk For Women

Tue, 13 May 2008 10:05:05 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Look to the Stars is very proud of our own Crystal A. Johnson , who took part in the weekend’s Revlon Run/Walk.

The 15th EIF Annual Revlon Run/Walk in Los Angeles took place Saturday Morning, kicked off by Halle Berry, Tom Selleck and Dancing With the Stars’ Carrie Ann Inaba strapping on their shoes for a great cause. The charity raises money to help in the fight against breast cancer.

However, I was not prepared for how touching it would be to see an ocean of walkers sporting tags or shirts dedicated to the memory of a loved one. Immediately, one is stricken with the gravity of the mission. Coverage of this event was double duty for me because I participated as a walker for the first time. My grandmother, Josephine Wilson had a mastectomy in the 60’s and was a proud survivor until a ripe old age.

At the completion of the race, walkers and runners entered the LA Colliseum. By the time many of the walkers finished, 80’s classic group the Go Go’s were on stage performing hit tunes. Belinda Carlisle was looking great and still has the beat. Jesse McCartney also performed. Other stars such as Days of Our Lives’ Deidre Hall and actor Jonathan Hensley also showed their support.

The EIF Revlon Run/Walk happens annually in New York and Los Angeles.

Picture: Alexandra Wyman, WireImage.com

Halle Berry, Jonas Brothers Support Revlon Run/Walk For Women

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:59:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Pop-Rock band Jonas Brothers, took time out during a recent guest appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to sign an Epiphone guitar, courtesy of Gibson Guitars in support of the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Revlon Run/Walk For Women. The guitar, along with the pen Kevin, Joe and Nick used to sign it, is currently available on CharityFolks.com.

The Revlon Run/Walk for Women takes place annually in New York and Los Angeles, with the 15th Annual Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk for Women Los Angeles taking place this Saturday, May 10. Our own Crystal A. Johnson is set to take part in this celebrated event. The New York Run/Walk took place on May 3rd.

Hosting the LA event this year are Halle Berry, Tom Selleck, Beau Garrett and Carrie Ann Inaba. Funds raised help further research into finding a cure for women’s cancers. For more information, visit the LA Run/Walk For Women website.

(Photo copyright ABC)

Kristin Cavallari To Host Make-A-Wish Fashion Show

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:10:27 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Reality TV star Kristin Cavallari is set to host the Bebe Luncheon and Fashion Show supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The event will be presented by The Beverly Hills Women’s Club, and will take place on Wednesday, March 5. The reception begins at 11:30, with the luncheon starting at noon.

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has many celebrity supporters, including Halle Berry and Jude Law, who help to bring joy to the lives of terminally-ill children.

21-year-old Kristin Cavallari shot to fame with her role in the reality series, Laguna Beach. She supports a number of charities, but over the last 12 months has made several appearances at Make-A-Wish Foundation events. In the Fall of 2007 she hosted the Make-A-Wish Foundation Los Angeles Fashion Week fundraiser that raised over $16,000 for the organization.

Tickets for the Bebe luncheon and fashion event are $175, or $1,400 for a table of 8. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call The Beverly Hills Women’s Club at (310)367-8982.

Celebrities Put Their Votes Where Their Hearts Are

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:44:49 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity endorsement and music have been essential features of political campaigns for the last 70 years. One of the earliest examples dates back to 1932, when Franklin D. Roosevelt used “Happy Days Are Here Again” as the theme song to his first presidential campaign. It eventually became the unofficial anthem for the Democrats, was used for years afterwards, and set a new standard in the way elections were campaigned.

Jump forward to 1960 and you find crooner Frank Sinatra openly supporting the presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy by singing a specially revised version of “High Hopes”. Jump forward further and you will hear the Republicans of 1988 singing the chorus of Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (although McFerrin later asked them to stop using it).

And who can forget Bill Clinton blowing his saxophone along to Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop” in 1992?

In 2008, it looks as though celebrity endorsement and music are set to be important parts of the Presidential Election once again, with a number of celebrities throwing their support into candidates’ campaigns. But although many stars are openly backing particular campaigns, their message this year has a deeper meaning.

“If we want to stop the war, if we want to get the economy better, I think that young people need to understand they have to take matters into their own hands,” said Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. “It is really like waking up a sleeping giant.”

The 38-year-old Hip Hop star and fashion designer believes that it is more important than ever for young people to go out and vote, and that the voice of youth will be an defining factor in this year’s election.

“A lot of young people have decided that this is their future. This president is going to decide their future,” said Combs, who launched the Citizen Change campaign in 2004 to encourage young voters. “I didn’t really want to get in the political game but I wanted to see young people become empowered. That’s where my attention is at. To have an African-American man and a woman in, it’s going to go down in history as the most historical election. And I think that young people will have a hand in the result.”

Last Tuesday saw 20 states in America hold primary elections to determine the eventual Democratic and Republican nominees for president, with Senator Hillary Clinton up against Senator Barack Obama for the Democrats, and Senator John McCain against former Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republicans.

And it seems that all of the candidates have pulled together an impressive list of celebrity backers. McCain has received endorsements from Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tom Selleck, while Romney is being backed by the likes of Pat Boone and Donny Osmond. On the Democrats’ side, Clinton has received endorsements from Barbra Streisand, Danny DeVito, Sally Field, Magic Johnson, Steven Spielberg, and Jack Nicholson, while Obama has attracted the support of celebrities such as Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Jessica Biel, Usher, Edward Norton, Hulk Hogan, Robert DeNiro, and Forest Whitaker.

23-year-old actress Scarlett Johansson is another star to show her support for Barack Obama, and last week recorded a message that was played to hundreds of voters in California over the telephone. She stated in the message that a vote for the Illinois senator was the last chance to “turn a page on the polarizing politics of the past”. This was followed by George Clooney adding his name to the supporters list at the annual Oscar Nominees’ Lunch last week.

“I’ve been an Obama guy for a year and a half and I’m very excited by his campaign,” he said. “It just seems that the more time he’s out there, his numbers keep growing. So I’m very, very encouraged.”

Johansson has also showed her support by taking part in the massive new internet campaign to increase the youth vote for Barack Obama. Led by Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am, the campaign features a music video that is taking YouTube by storm. Yes We Can took the singer two days to record and film, and has attracted almost 2 million views since it was released last Friday.

The Hip Hop star was inspired to write the song after watching Obama’s speech following the Democrat’s loss to Clinton in the New Hampshire primary election.

“It was as if he was talking to me,” said will.i.am. “It was as if he was talking to and defending everything that made me who I am. I took that speech, and I wanted everyone else to be inspired by that speech as I was.”

The song features Obama’s speech set to music, and includes appearances by John Legend, Kate Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Herbie Hancock. Although it was not commissioned by Obama, he saw it on Saturday and has embraced it.

“After nearly a year on the campaign trail, I’ve seen a lot of things that have touched me deeply, but I had to share this with you,” Obama’s wife, Michelle, said in an e-mail to supporters. “Sharing this video, which was created by supporters, is one more way to help start a conversation with your friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who will be voting soon about the issues important to them in this election.”

But will.i.am insists the point of the song is not just to stir up votes for the first-term senator, but to “remind people how powerful they are. The idea of ‘Yes We Can’ doesn’t stop because he doesn’t win.”

There are currently several organizations that are being backed by celebrities to encourage young people to vote, including Declare Yourself and Rock the Vote, both of which are using the internet to raise the awareness of youth prior to this year’s election.

“The Internet and technology empowers people,” said will.i.am. “And the ‘Yes We Can’ song is proof that they don’t need a big record company or a big movie company . . . to go out and captivate people’s attention.”

But whether celebrity endorsement actually affects the votes is still a matter of contention. According to a study carried out by the Pew Research Centre in September, “political endorsements generally have little impact on voter preference”.
The research found almost 70% of Americans polled said that if told a celebrity endorsed a presidential candidate, it would not affect their vote. And of the 30% who said an endorsement would influence them, 15% said it would make them more likely to vote for the endorsed candidate while the other half said they would be less likely to do so.

But if history is anything to go by, it won’t stop the celebrities from having their say.

Kite Runner Auction Raises Afghan Hopes

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:38:15 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Madonna, Will Ferrell and Angelina Jolie are among the many celebrities who have joined the Kite Runner Auction, which runs until the 15th of December.

The auction corresponds with the theater release of The Kite Runner on December 14th. Based on the book of the same name, the film explores the world of Amir, who returns to Afghanistan after 20 years in America to set right his past mistakes.

The book’s author Khaled Hosseini is joined in the auction by tail-signers Edward Norton, Steve Nash, Cher and Halle Berry. 75% of the auction’s proceeds will be donated to the Afghanistan Relief Organization.

Other items on the auction block include a visit to the set of the new James Bond film with director Marc Forster, who also directed The Kite Runner film, dinner with Khaled Hosseini, or the chance to name a character in one of his future works.

To see the full list of celebrities, or to bid on kites and tails signed by Jessica Biel, Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal or Reese Witherspoon, go to The Kite Runner Auction page.

Stars Deliver For Literacy Charities

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 10:43:34 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Kate Winslet, Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Pryce and Phil Collins are among 40 celebrities who have donated their time and artistic skills to the UK Pitney Bowes Pushing the Envelope campaign.

The stars have each decorated an envelope in order to raise funds for the National Literacy Trust, and the unique framed art is available on eBay until the 20th of October.

This is the third year that the campaign has taken place, and organisers are hoping it will be as successful as last year’s auction, which raised over £11,000 for the Trust.

Pushing the Envelope usually involves simultaneous auctions around the world, with the money raised in each country going to support local literacy programs. This year Katie Melua has created an envelope for the auction taking place in France, which benefits Asmae and their work with children in the Phillipines.

In past years Pitney Bowes has sponsored auctions in the U.S. and Canada as well, featuring art from Halle Berry, Mike Myers, Lindsay Lohan and Sharon Stone for the U.S. auctions, and from Alex Trebek and Wayne Gretzky in the Canadian events. The charities to benefit from those auctions included First Book, the National Center for Family Literacy, ProLiteracy Worldwide, Reading Is Fundamental, and ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation.

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