DESIGN-HER GALS™ 3RD ANNUAL VIRTUAL WALK TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR STAGE IV BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Stage IV breast cancer is a cause very close to my heart. My sister, Liz, was diagnosed "terminal" with stage IV at the age of 26 after being misdiagnosed at 23 years old. She lost her battle just two years later.

What many don't know about Stage IV breast cancer, is how sick the patients are and how much suffering they are enduring, all while knowing they have less than a 15% chance of survival. That is why the tireless work of the champions behind the comapany Design-her Gals, which was created solely to support the Gal to Gal Foundation, is so meaningful.

Please join me, along with Kristin Chenoweth, Marg Helgenberger, Lisa Rinna, Denise Richards, Stephen Covery and more as we virtually walk across the United States in the third annual Gal to Gal Walk. The foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families, hopes to raise $250,000 in 31 days.

This year’s Walk is dedicated to Dorit Shapiro, the former President of the Gal to Gal Foundation. A freelance technical writer and mother of two, Dorit was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in 2006, and lost her brave battle in October of 2008, only a week into the Virtual Walk fundraiser.

“We are honored to have these notable individuals and companies enhance the virtual walk experience, which will unite women and men from all walks of life. This initiative will help benefit a group of individuals who are facing the most difficult battle of their lives,” commented Jeanne Fitzmaurice, founder of Design-her Gals and Gal to Gal Foundation. Fitzmaurice is a previous breast cancer “Champion” selected by Yoplait and Susan G. Komen. “As we strive to raise awareness and funds for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families, our goal is to bring dignity and comfort to those who need it most.”

To join the walk, go to http://www.galtogalwalk.org/ and create your likeness for a $5 donation. Invite friends, share your story and receive product discounts through sponsors.

Valentino: The Last Emporer Screening and Q&A with Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer

My very talented friend, Leslie Asfour, has put together an amazing event for the first annual California Documentary Film Festival - a special screening of "Valentino: The Last Emporer", followed by a Q&A with filmmaker, Matt Tyrnauer, led by Henri Bendel's Director of Client and Studio Services Michael Palladino.

Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind event!

Saturday, October 3, 2009
2:00 pm
Warren Atherton Auditorium
Delta Center for the Arts
Stockton, CA

For tickets and more information, go to: http://www.deltacollege.edu/div/fcs/VALENTINOMOVIEANDEVENT.htm

Junior League of Sacramento Supports the Children's Receiving Home

The Junior League of Sacramento, an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and to improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, is hosting their annual crab feed "Denim & Diamonds".

Woodbridge Wines and Roy's Premium Barbecue will supply the wine and crab, and there will be a silent auction and dancing to the tunes of DJ Mic D.

A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit the Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento - a shelter for abused and neglected children of Sacramento County.

$40 for night out that includes crab, wine and dancing is a deal! In this economy, we are all watching our wallets a little closer; make the dollars you do spend count toward a good cause.

Denim & Diamonds

St. Mary's Catholic Church
1333 58th Street, Sacramento, California 95819
Saturday, February 7th at 5:00 p.m.

$40 in advance and $45 at the door

Shop for a Cause at the Power of Pink

Bay Area fashion PR firm, Avant Garde Public Relations, hosts The Power of Pink - an evening of fashion, beauty, music and art for those touched by breast cancer. Annette Richmond, owner of the firm, joined forces with over 30 businesses, designers and volunteers to create this event. “I really want this to be a celebration of life.” says Richmond. “Someone close recently passed from Breast Cancer, this is a celebration for her. I wanted to focus on things Anne loved; art, fashion and music, the spa treatments are the cherry on top!”

Guests can support the cause at the Shopping Soirée featuring Bryna Nicole, Frolick, Harlequin Feltworks, Juleselin, Verrieres and Sako. VIP guests are invited to shop early at the pre-party, and will have access to two private rooms - including the Pamper Party - and receive a limited edition gift bag.

DJ Everett, DJ KeL-D, Nonchalant and DJ D-Glitch will provide the tunes and Taste of Paradise Catering and Little Piggy Cupcakes will supply the gourmet bites. When the clock strikes 8pm, the fashion show - featuring pieces from Tela D organic boutique and Taxi CDC - will begin. Models, whose hair and makeup will be done by the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology, will include professionals and those affected by the disease.

“With approximately 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. and Marin County’s high breast cancer rate, I couldn't imagine a better time or place for this event.” says Richmond. All proceeds from this event will benefit the American Cancer Society.

As the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against cancer, the American Cancer Society has invested more funding in breast cancer research grants over time than any other voluntary public health organization – $352 million since 1972. In fact, Society-funded cutting-edge research led to the discovery of lifesaving treatments like Tamoxifen and Herceptin and it was the American Cancer Society that established mammography as the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer. The Society also supports the fight against breast cancer through free support services such as Reach to Recovery, which matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors who can guide them through their journey with the disease; and the nation’s only 24-hour cancer hot line (1-800-ACS-2345), where people fighting cancer can turn anytime, day or night to talk to a Cancer Information Specialist for support, information and guidance. The Society additionally advocates for public policies to guarantee all women access to mammograms and breast cancer treatment, regardless of income. For more information about breast cancer resources and information, call the American Cancer Society at (1-800-ACS-2345) or visit http://www.cancer.org/.

The Power of Pink

Friday, January 23, 2009

Studio 333

Sausalito, CA

General Admission tickets $25

VIP tickets $35

http://www.avantgardepublicrealtions.com/
415.847.1571

Boarding for Breast Cancer’s Save Our Breast Friends Event

Boarding for Breast Cancer, a nonprofit that supports youth-focused education, awareness, and fundraising, is having their 1st Annual Save Our Breast Friends Event. Hosted by Kelly Rutherford and Sarah Wynter, this evening will be filled with fun, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, art and silent auction to support the organization's educational outreach program. Make sure to wear your best beach inspired cocktail attire so you can rock out to DJ Kris Graham.

To purchase tickets or to make a donation please visit http://boardingforbreastcancer.eventbrite.com/.

To support Boarding for Breast Cancer by shopping, browse the cosmetic bag collection by Jimeale on Uptown Liz.

Stuart Weitzman Takes the Guilt Out of Shoe Shopping

Stuart Weitzman, shoe designer extraordinaire and well known philanthropist, knows the way to a woman's heart - through her feet.

This September, in honor of ovarian cancer awareness month, Weitzman fortified his commitment to ending the silent killer with the launch of his eighth annual celebrity shoe auction. This year, almost 30 celebrities, including Blake Lively, Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson and Eva Longoria Parker, customized a Weitzman stiletto for one lucky fashionista bidder. Many of the exceptionally detailed and radiant shoes are autographed and/or come with signed posters of the "celebrity-designer."

Proceeds from the auction will support the work of Dr. Marsha Moses of the Folkman Institute at Children's Hospital in Boston. Moses and her team are working to develop a urine test for ovarian cancer.

Shoe shopping never felt so good.

Oakland Natives Give Back

The Oakland Natives Give Back Fund (ONGBF) held their 1st Annual Back To School Youth Expo in August to give back to the city of Oakland, while empowering youth with what they consider to be the building block of success – education.

Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and the City of Oakland partnered with OGNBF to give over 730 book bags with school supplies at Oakland City Hall as part of the OUSD's Attend and Achieve campaign. The organization also received support from the Future Foundation, Usher’s New Look Foundation, The Lost Ones, and the Effective Teachers for Oakland Task Force.

More than 900 people attended Youth Expo 2008, where they enjoyed an afternoon filled with fun activities, gifts and entertainment. Youth learned about the importance of education as well as violence prevention and public safety as part of the city of Oakland’s Measure Y campaign.

The event provided of a variety of entertainment and appearances by celebrities and professional athletes which included: the Fashion Rocks youth fashion show, spoken word artists Ise Lyfe and Oakland native Jimmy Reign, dance trio Total Package, Sacramento Kings’ Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Boston Celtics’ Leon Powe , San Francisco 49ers’ Allen Rossum, and Oakland natives MTV News Host Sway Calloway, Tony! Toni! Tone! recording artist Dwayne Wiggins and his nephew, 13-year-old Ali-Khan Lochin, who served as the DJ.

Motivational speeches were given by various city and school officials, including Oakland Chief of Staff Leslie Littleton, Director of Education Kitty Epstein, OUSD State Administrator Vincent Matthews and OUSD Interim Superintendent Roberta Mayor. Other notables included speaker Keith L. Brown, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies and entrepreneur Michael Parker, founder of Lifeskills 411.

Oakland Natives Give Back Fund was co-founded by Delicia “Dee Dee” Abdur-Rahim, Nyeisha DeWitt and Tameka Raymond (all natives of Oakland) who want to be an example to all Oakland natives by declaring that “your commitment to the community in which you reside should not supersede your contribution to the community in which you were reared”. Currently, ONGBF is fiscally sponsored by the Future Foundation.

Uptown Liz founder, Ramona Russell, was happy to volunteer at this event by passing out book bags to the eager students. To support education by shopping, go to the education page on Uptown Liz.

Photo captions: Top left photo - the crowd at the Youth Expo 2008. Bottom right photo - Co-founders Tameka Raymond (left), Delicia "Dee Dee" Abdur-Rahim and Nyeisha DeWitt.

Media and Celebrities Stand Up To Cancer to End Cancer

Tomorrow on September 5th, ABC, CBS and NBC will simultaneously broadcast live and commercial free the Stand Up To Cancer show at 8 p.m. EST.

With large media support, the historic event will also feature the following celebrities: Casey Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Josh Brolin, David Cook, Dana Delany, Fran Drescher, Kirsten Dunst, Elizabeth Edwards, Jon Favreau, America Ferrera, Neil Patrick Harris, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Masi Oka, Danica Patrick, Christina Ricci, Robin Roberts, Commissioner Allan H. Bud Selig, Homer Simpson, Marge Simpson, Meryl Streep, Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, Goran Visnjic, Forest Whitaker, Jessica Alba, Charles Barkley, Halle Berry, Jack Black, Abigail Breslin, Kate Bosworth, Sheryl Crow, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Garner, Brad Garrett, Angie Harmon, Tony Hawk, Marg Helgenberger, Diane Keaton, Rob Lowe, Mandy Moore, Don Newcombe, Sharon Osbourne, Josh Peck, Mekhi Phifer, Keanu Reeves, Jimmy Smits, David Spade and Carrie Underwood.

According to their Web site, Stand Up To Cancer, a nonprofit organization, has announced an innovative approach to research designed to bring together the best and brightest investigators from leading institutions around the world. This unique initiative, which will foster scientific collaboration and accelerate the discovery of new therapies, will be administered by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) under the direction of a Scientific Advisory Committee led by Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.

Every day, cancer kills 1,500 Americans— one person every minute. This year, more than 550,000 Americans and six million people worldwide will succumb to this vicious disease. One out of three women and one in every two men will be diagnosed in their lifetimes. With advances in technology and research, scientists are close to pushing cancer from a disease that all too often takes lives to one people largely triumph over. This is where the end of cancer begins.

Visit Oprah and Olympians in Chicago

You have a chance to see Oprah and several Olympians in Chicago.
Place: Millennium Park
Time: The park opens at 6 am. Admission to the lawn will be first come first served basis.
Date: Wednesday, September 3rd
For more information and surprises about the event, go to Chicago2016 Channel.

Water Rules at Saks Fifth Avenue

It's not just designer duds coming down the runway at Saks Fifth Avenue - it's clean water as well. The high-end department store hosted their Summer Gala - a fundraiser for charity: water - with 1,000 guests including celebrities Jennifer Connelly, Mischa Barton and Adrien Grenier.

According to their Web site, charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Right now, 1.1 billion people on the planet don't have access to safe, clean drinking water - that's one out of six people. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Many people in the developing world, usually women and children, walk more than three hours every day to fetch water that is likely to make them sick. Those hours are crucial, preventing many from working or attending school. Additionally, collecting water puts them at greater risk of sexual harassment and assault. Children are especially vulnerable to the consequences of unsafe water; of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation, 90% are children under 5 years old.

Just $20 can give a person in Africa clean, safe drinking water for 20 years, and the partnership of Saks Fifth Avenue and charity: water have raised more than $500,000, funding over 100 wells in developing nations in a two-month time period.

Kelly Ripa and Friends Have a Super Saturday

Kelly Ripa, Molly Sims, Christy Turlington and other celebrities put their shopping skills to the test for a good cause. Super Saturday, an event held in the Hamptons, raises thousands of dollars for The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund every year.

Referred to as the "Rolls Royce of Garage Sales" by The New York Times, the shopping extravaganza has over 200 designers - from Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Theory, Maxx New York and more - at deeply discounted prices.

According to their Web site, the mission of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. In support of their mission, they help patients and their loved ones understand the disease and its treatment, and provide outreach programs to raise public awareness.

To shop for products on Uptown Liz that support Ovarian Cancer, click here.

Mariska Hargitay Has a Joyful Heart

Mariska Hargitay, star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, hosted the first annual Joyful Heart Gala which benefited the nonprofit she started to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Hargitay and friends such as Hillary Swank, Marcia Gay Harden, Bobby Flay, and Jill Hennessy raised $1.2 million for the foundation.

"I started the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2002 to help survivors of sexual assault heal their minds, bodies and spirits and reclaim their lives. Playing Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit opened my eyes to the epidemic of sexual assault in this country. It wasn't just in the scripts for the show, but in the many emails I received from viewers disclosing their stories of sexual assault for the first time.

I felt a great responsibility to these brave women to let them know that they had been heard and that they could have hope. I studied the subject, trained to become a crisis counselor, and have used my visibility as an actress to become an advocate. The result was The Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support and encouragement for survivors of sexual assault.

In creating programs for our members, we quickly realized that everyone heals differently. We provide an extensive network of resources for women and our own groundbreaking retreats that include art therapy, surf camps, swimming with dolphins in the wild, yoga and writing workshops that complement traditional counseling and therapy. When women are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut. The goal of Joyful Heart is to let the light, and the life, back in--to banish the darkness and let the healing begin." (From the Joyful Heart Foundation's Web site).

To shop for products on Uptown Liz that support sexual assault victims (and the Joyful Heart Foundation), click here.

Kanye West & Choose or Lose Give Veterans a "Homecoming"

Famous rapper, Kayne West, and MTV's Sway Calloway surprise war veterans from Iraq on the upcoming special "Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming". The special features Kayne and Calloway visiting with three veterans - Tirann Laws, Shameeka Gray and Lorenzo Zarate - in their homes and listening to the difficult challenges they face after coming home.

"There are hundreds of veterans out there who are falling through the cracks. They make the ultimate sacrifices for us by laying down their lives, but it seems like a lot of them just get forgotten about," West said. "I know my music inspires and helps a lot of people, but you can always do more. I teamed up with MTV and took the opportunity to share the spotlight with these veterans and hear their stories. I went to their homes to listen and get their firsthand experiences. I wanted to hear their stories."

West also helped each veteran out - either with financial debt or monthly bills - with the help of MTV and the Dr. Donda West Foundation which was created in West's late mother's memory.

"The stories of the veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are important and worth telling," Dave Sirulnick, executive vice president for MTV News and Production, said in a statement. "In conversations with veterans over the last year, it became clear that Kanye's music is used by soldiers in Iraq as a way of connecting to home. Once these veterans return home, their stories are so moving that you can't help but want to do the right thing and help them out."

The one-hour special, which airs July 28 at 10 p.m. ET, will give viewers information on how they can help the 1.5 million veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars through Choose Or Lose and the Dr. Donda West Foundation.

Steve Carell Gets Smart About Cancer

Steve Carell, star of the hit show The Office hosted a screening of his new movie, Get Smart, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event supported The Zachary Carson Brain Tumor Fund, named after a teenager suffering from cancer who Carell met on the set of his television show through Make-A-Wish Foundation. Carson died at the age of 19, after a 27-month battle with diffuse pontine glioma - a pediatric cancer that causes an inoperable malignant tumor in the brain stem.

The 40 Year Old Virgin is no stranger to charitable events. In June 2007, he organized the Boston premiere of Evan Almighty to fund research for this aggressive cancer.

"It was a great group of people, is a great group of people, and I just felt very honored to be included in that circle," Carell said of the Carson family. "His mom is a remarkable woman and so much of his legacy I think lives through her and the rest of his family."

Be Charitable with a Prison Break

Fans of the hit television show, Prison Break, now have an opportunity to see stars Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Amaury Nolasco (and others) in action. charitybuzz, an online auction Web site that supports nonprofit organizations, has a visit for two to the set of Prison Break.
This auction supports The Jorge Posada Foundation, which was started by New York Yankees’ All-Star Catcher, Jorge Posada, and his wife, Laura, because their son, Jorge Jr., was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis when he was ten days old. The nonprofit organization reaches out to those families in need, whose children are affected by Craniosynostosis, and provides them with financial and emotional support. The foundation also raises awareness and encourages further research of this medical condition.
According to their Web site, Craniosynostosis is a congenital or birth defect, characterized by the premature closure of one or more sutures, which causes an abnormally shaped skull. The skull is normally composed of bones which are separated by sutures. As an infant’s brain grows, open sutures allow them to expand and develop a relatively normal head shape. When one or more sutures close early, it can cause the skull to expand in the direction of the open sutures. This often results in an abnormal head shape and in severe cases, places excessive and damaging amounts of pressure on a growing brain.
The bidding for the Prison Break set visit ends June 24th and is good until November 17th of this year. For more information (or to bid), click here.

Stop the Spray Hits the Runway

Avant Garde Public Relations is using fashion focus to bring awareness for StopTheSpray.org – an organization that was founded to give a voice to those opposing the aerial spraying of pesticides aimed at eradicating the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM). Their mission is the people’s right to information and the demand for their consent prior to any spraying program that directly exposes their bodies to toxins.

“Chic for a Cause: Stop the Spray”, an organic and sustainable fashion show, will be held at Muse Studios in San Francisco on May 30th. Models from City Model Management will be wearing fabulous finds from Eco Citizen, Tela D, Kelly B Couture, Verrieres and Sako’s, Love, Melody Originals and Theron Nelson Designs. Guests will munch on organic appetizers and raw chocolates from Good Earth Market and organic caterer Hogan and drink organic wine and beer provided by Frey Vineyards and Butte Creek Brewery. The blues sounds of Diamond Ortiz will play as guests bid on silent auction items from Biondina Spa, Be Sweet, Soulstice Spa, Amy Nordstrom’s and more.

The eco-friendly decorated gallery will be filled with paintings from Lanita Nelson and photography from Jocelyn Knight and Victor J. London (just to name a few) that will show Bay Area spray zones. “I see these as before pictures,” says Avant Garde PR owner Annette Richmond. “Who knows what this spray will do to our environment, our children or our health?”

StopTheSpray.org is currently evaluating ballot initiatives and other measures necessary to curtail the power of the Department of Food and Agriculture to endanger the health and human rights of people in California. To view or sign the online petition opposing pesticide spraying without consent and to read more about the issue please visit: http://www.stopthespray.org/