Look To The Stars News: Memorial Sloan-Kettering

Andy Roddick To Play James Blake For Charity

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Tennis player James Blake has announced that he will host a tennis exhibition match with Grand Slam champion Andy Roddick to raise for cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in December.

All of the proceeds will benefit the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund, a charity named in memory of James Blake’s father, who died of cancer in 2004. Blake has raised more than $1.5 million for charity, and earlier this year was awarded a major humanitarian award for his charity work.

The event will also include an after party with entertainment, food and fashion show.

Tickets for the event are now available for $500, $250 and $150. The event will be held on December 1 at Pier 94 in New York City, and more info can be found here

LTTS Exclusive: An Interview With High School Musical Director Kenny Ortega

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

On April 18, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) held their 10th annual conference celebration in Newport Beach, CA. Look to the Stars got a chance to interview the legendary choreographer and director Kenny Ortega right before he was awarded for his achievements. Among his more famous credits are Xanadu, Salsa, Dirty Dancing, the Cheetah Girls 2 and his crowning achievement of the past few years, all three of the High School Musical films.

What does it mean to be honored by NALIP?

It is an organization that works tirelessly to make a greater future potential for everyone in our community. It is a most prestigious company and I am honored to be here.

What kind of hurdles did you encounter in your journey to success?

There are so many obstacles that I wondered if I could really hurdle. There is a tremendous amount that you find yourself coming up against as child, as a growing man and even as an adult. I am glad that I have family and eventually supporters who told me to keep my imagination. It has also been important to be in a community with so many activists who care about us. They have done much to ensure that we have opportunities for all Latino artists.

What words of encouragement would you give to aspiring filmmakers and other artists?

First of all, you have to have a lot of heart. You have to have enough heart that no one can burn that fire out. Then I think it is so important to get an education. The more you know, the more you can draw from. Imagination, dream big, think big.

You say that education is important. With your background in dance, can you elaborate on how certain subjects from grade school on make a difference?

If you want to be a dancer or choreographer then you need to know math. I cannot tell you how important it is to understand math. It is a part of the whole rhythmic system of breaking down choreography and dance. A basic education is an absolute must.

Look to the Stars is not only about social awareness but also charity. Kenny, what charities are near and dear to your heart?

Make-A-Wish, Pediatric AIDS, and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital… but I am really active with Pediatric Aids and Make-A-Wish. In fact, Make-A-Wish honored me this year with a very beautiful plaque. I really love and believe and support the cause. I love the idea of enabling critically ill children opportunities to experience life situations that they might not be able to have because of their critical health.

Thank you so much, Kenny. Congratulation on being honored tonight by NALIP.

Photo copyright Josh Weiss.

James Blake Wins Humanitarian Award

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Prior to the Sony Open in Florida earlier this month, the ATP handed out their annual awards and American James Blake was given the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for his charitable efforts.

Last summer, Blake created the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in memory of his father. The Blake Research Fund invests money in leading-edge science in order to speed up the most promising work and shorten the time it takes to turn laboratory discoveries into better treatments for patients. 100% of every dollar donated to the Fund goes directly to cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.

This also marks the 5th year of Blake’s J-Block program where fans purchase J-Block merchandise and 100% of the gross proceeds are donated to charity. To date, more than $100,000 has been raised through J-Block merchandise sales.

Anthem LIVE! is another one of Blake’s charity endeavors. The annual charity tennis exhibition supports cancer research programs including the Blake Research Fund. And despite his busy schedule, Blake always finds time to help to raise funds for the Harlem Junior Tennis Program and hosts the organization’s annual fundraising event each year. Blake’s decision to pursue a career in tennis came after listening to Arthur Ashe speak at an event for the Harlem Junior Tennis Program when he was a teenager.

Add all this up-and the fact that James Blake overcame a broken back, partial paralysis and blurred vision while maintaining his form on the court, and its easy to see why he was honored by the ATP.

For more on Blake, read his book, ‘Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life’ or visit his website, James Blake Tennis, for info on how you can donate to the Fund, buy a cool T and support this truly fine man on his quest to better this world.

Celebrities To Run And Walk For Women

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) has announced that Revlon spokeswomen Jennifer Connelly and Jessica Alba, along with NBC late night host Jimmy Fallon, will host the 2009 EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women in New York taking place on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

The organization has also announced that Emmy-nominated star of ABC’s “Samantha Who” Christina Applegate will join with Miley Cyrus, her mother Tish Cyrus, Revlon spokeswoman Beau Garrett and “Dancing with the Stars” Carrie Ann Inaba at the Los Angeles event the following week on Saturday, May 9 during Mother’s Day weekend.

EIF’s Revlon Run/Walk event is one of the nation’s largest single-day fundraisers to support women’s cancer research, counseling and outreach programs in New York City and Los Angeles.

The 12th annual New York race starts in Times Square and finishes in the East Meadow of Central Park and attracts nearly 40,000 participants. The 16th annual Los Angeles Race takes place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at Exposition Park and attracts close to 60,000 participants each year. The EIF Revlon Run/Walk For Women was launched in 1993 through the combined efforts of Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O. Perelman, chairman of Revlon, Inc. and EIF. Since inception, nearly $55 million in grants have been made from the combined events in New York and Los Angeles.

“Hundreds of thousands of women and men have come out year after year to support the cause and for loved ones who have been personally affected by cancer. Their devotion and commitment to finding a cure is what has made the EIF Revlon Run/Walk so successful,” says Ronald O. Perelman, chairman of Revlon, Inc., co-founder of the Run/Walk and co-founder of the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program. “Through significant advancement in education and research, so many women today are finding resources and treatments made available to them and with that aid they are beating the odds and surviving cancer.”

Proceeds from past EIF Revlon Run/Walks have funded cutting-edge research, contributing to the development of the breakthrough gene treatment Herceptin as well as other targeted therapies, bringing new and innovative treatment approaches to women’s cancers worldwide. Monies raised have also helped numerous organizations in providing education, advocacy and outreach services to those affected by women’s cancers.

“The heartfelt support that we receive each year for this event is overwhelming,” says Lilly Tartikoff, co-founder of the EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women and co-founder of the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program. “Every single person that participates helps to take us one step closer to a cure. Without our loyal supporters we would not be able to do this.”

“We are truly grateful to the entertainment community for their invaluable support, helping us raise much-needed funds for crucial research and support programs to help the women we love,” said Lisa Paulsen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. “Step by step, all who participate in this even bring change and hope to women everywhere, like my cousin Dawn. She heard our message to get screened and went for her first mammogram at age 40 to learn she had early stage breast cancer. While this has been a challenging year for her, she’s going to be okay.”

2009 New York event beneficiaries include: Actors Fund of America, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, CancerCare, Cancer Control Center of Harlem, Cancer Schmancer, Gilda’s Club NYC, Gouverneur Healthcare Services, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Nassau University Medical Center – The Breast Imaging Center, National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, National Women’s Cancer Research Alliance, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York, William F. Ryan Community Health Center, and the YWCA of Brooklyn.

2009 Los Angeles event beneficiaries include: AltaMed Health Services Corporation, Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research & Training, Cancer Schmancer, Citrus Valley Medical Center, Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Program, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance, Providence Saint Joseph Foundation, Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program, Team Survivor Los Angeles, UCLA Digital Mammography Program, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital, Wellness Community, and Women of Color Breast Cancer Survivors’ Support Project.

Information about the event is available here.

Punk Bands Unite For Charity Auction

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 07:50:52 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Punk rockers – your attention please. Ready for a bit of anarchy in the name of a good cause? Why not check out the hot new ticket auction on eBay for the chance to attend the premier punk rock event of the year – the Vans Warped Tour. Not only could you get the chance to have the best seats at the venue – you could also join your favorite band ONSTAGE!

The 14th annual Vans Warped Tour will make stops in 46 US and Canadian cities, beginning on June 20 in Pomona, California, and concluding August 17 in Los Angeles, California. Each festival date features over 40 cutting-edge musical artists performing on five stages, as well as other attractions including top athletes in the action sports world, skateboard ramps and demonstrations, informational tents, autograph signings, giveaways, and lifestyle events. The 2008 Tour will feature leading punk and hard rock bands, including Against Me!, Angels & Airwaves, Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, Paramore, Pennywise, Relient K, The Academy Is, and others.

The TJ Martell Foundation has joined the 2008 Vans Warped Tour to bring you the Fifth Annual Charity Ticket Auction for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research. Beginning Monday, April 21, and running for three consecutive weeks, fans can bid on eBay for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to receive two tickets to “America’s most successful festival”. All proceeds from the Vans Warped Tour ticket auctions will benefit the life saving research conducted at The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and others. The T. J Martell Foundation, founded in 1975 by Columbia/Sony music industry executive Tony Martell in memory of his son – a victim of leukemia – has since raised more than $230 million over 33-years to combat the world’s three most deadliest diseases – leukemia, cancer, and AIDS. The T. J. Martell Foundation’s Vans Warped Tour Ticket Auctions has generated over $40,000 in funding over the last 4 years.

Bidding in the auction, accessed through eBay, started yesterday and could score you one of 15 pairs of tickets and accompanying stage access passes for the first 15 tour dates available. Fifteen additional pairs of tickets with stage passes, for each additional 15 tour dates, will again be posted to eBay on April 28 and May 5.

More information about the Vans Warped Tour can be found at the event’s website.

Bon Jovi Headline Charity Concert

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:28:56 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bon Jovi has headlined the first concert in a charity series to raise funds for lung cancer research.

The show was held at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday, February 12, to a capacity crowd of 3,500, with proceeds going to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering, a facility that specializes in lung cancer. The Center is also where Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora’s father received treatment for the disease before his death last year.

“Cancer is relentless; you can’t stop it,” said Sambora, who opened the concert with a 30 minute set of solo material. “Hopefully this money will help find answers.”

The concert was organized by Stand Up For A Cure, and is expected to be the first of a yearlong series to benefit the cancer center. The organization hopes to pull together at least seven concerts in that time, and have already confirmed a stand-up performance from Jerry Seinfeld on June 2 at Madison Square Garden, a concert with Brian Wilson and special guests at the Hammerstein Ballroom on July 11, and a performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli set for a to-be-determined date in December.

Jordan Belkin, Executive Producer for Stand Up For A Cure, hopes the concert series will not only raise money for cancer research but also awareness for what he calls a “severely under-funded” disease.

“It’s the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the world,” he told Billboard.com. “We need to get the message out and get money into the programs that are offering a potential cure for treatment. By groups like Bon Jovi donating their time and support to this cause, I think we’re getting closer to doing so.”

Look To The Stars News: Memorial Sloan-Kettering

Andy Roddick To Play James Blake For Charity

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