Gilda's Club Desert Cities

Palm Desert, CA (August 31, 2009)...According to the dictionary, if you're "in the pink", you're in the best of health or condition. And, this September 25th, Brighton Collectibles is launching the 2009 "Power of Pink" Jewelry Promotion to help empower women who are challenged by breast cancer to return to being back 'in the pink' as soon as possible.

"We are thrilled to be part of this effort to help fund an effort to find a cure," said Craig Pettit, who with his wife Angela, owns six Brighton stores. "Community involvement is a passion of ours, our employees and our customers," said Pettitt.

The 2009 "Power of Pink" jewelry pieces will be available from September 25 through October 31 in Brighton Collectibles locations throughout the country and specifically at Brighton Collectibles on El Paseo. You can call the Brighton Collectibles Store on El Paseo to reserve yours now. For each piece sold at Brighton Collectibles, El Paseo, Brighton will donate $10 to Gilda's Club. Gilda's Club creates welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer - men, women, teens and children - along with their families and friends. Their innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities. http://www.gildasclubdesertcities.org

While creating the jewelry for this year's promotion, Brighton's designers were inspired by the idea of "keeping one's heart open to possibilities." A heart charm - scattered with pink enamel heart motifs - dangles from the Power of Pink Bracelet. The charm then slides open sideways to reveal the words "Trust your journey" and "Everything is possible."

The second Power of Pink piece - an I.D. holder - combines fashion and function and is also a visible show of support to those who have faced or are facing breast cancer and a reminder to get regular check-ups. Fifteen fine Swarovski crystals, representing what designers describe as "the light of life", surround the pink enamel ribbon motif on the holder. A clever hidden hinge mechanism keeps I.D.s from falling off.

"In the U.S. alone, 40,000 women are still dying each year from breast cancer," explains Jerry Kohl, founder of the women's accessory company. "Brighton is committed to keep doing its part to help with prevention and finding a cure. Our Power of Pink collection is more than simply beautiful jewelry. Each piece is also a symbol of the passion that women feel for helping those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and the compassion they have for everyone who loves someone suffering from this illness."

Brighton first created its "Power of Pink" bracelet and I.D. holder in 2003. Since then, the company has raised over $3 million for breast cancer charities nationwide. These include The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The City of Hope Cancer Center, Concern Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

"Whichever of these pieces a woman chooses to wear, she is lighting the way toward a cure and being a visual example for others to do the same," says Kohl. "The dollars going to research through promotions like ours will affect breast cancer survival and fund the cure that we hope will come soon."

Known for excellent quality and a broad-ranging assortment of finely crafted accessories, Brighton produces handbags, jewelry, belts, footwear, small leather essentials, luggage, fragrances and gifts which are sold in Brighton Collectibles stores and at fine specialty retail stores across the United States. For more information, visit www.brighton.com or www.brightoncollections.com.

Statement from The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club

Cathedral City, CA (July 1, 2009)...The headquarter offices of The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club are pleased to announce that as of July 1, 2009, we have joined forces to become the largest provider of psychosocial cancer support in North America and will be extending our reach to even more people affected by cancer. Our combined organization will also be the largest employer of psychosocial oncology support professionals, advancing the idea that psychosocial care is as important as medical care in the face of a cancer diagnosis. Both Gilda's Club and The Wellness Community have grown extensively during our combi8ned 45 year history to make a significant difference for people affected by cancer. Both organizations have also established solid, reliable reputations in the cancer community and share an unwavering commitment to quality, integrity and services based on the best research available to move our respective and complementary agendas forward.

In 2007, The Institute of Medicine (IOM), part of the National Academies in Washington, DC, released a report entitled, "Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs." This report is a defining affirmation of the work of both The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club. The report states that today's cancer care does not adequately address the emotional, social, spiritual, or financial challenges associated with the disease. The report emphasizes that quality psychosocial care is critical in order for patients to have optimal clinical outcomes. The report goes on to state that community-based organizations are a crucial part of the health care delivery system and need to be better incorporated into the continuum of care.

Together, Gilda's Club and The Wellness Community will become the Largest community-based organization focused on advancing the recommendations of the IOM report. The combined organization will be comprised worldwide of nearly 50 local affiliates, 12 affiliates in development and over 100 off-site and satellite locations. Both organizations will be formally integrating over the next few months, however, during this period, there will be no disruption of services at any Wellness Community or Gilda's Club. As we continue to work towards integration, we are confident that this joint venture will help us reach our goal to serve 1 million people affected by cancer by 2012 and continue to empoiwer individuals to take active roles during treatment and beyond.

On November 7, 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club will host a Cancer Summit in Washington, DC, to formally introduce the newly unified organization and vision. People with cancer, survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, and health care leaders will be invited to this milestone event, which will mark a new beginning of the highest quality cancer support for the millions of people facing this disease.

The new name of the organization will be announced at a Cancer Summit hosted by The Wellness Community and Gilda's Club on November 7, 2009 in Washington, DC. Local Gilda's Clubs and Wellness Communities will retain their current names and will co-brand with the new umbrella name.

Program delivery will remain undisrupted during this transition period and local Wellness Community and Gilda's Club participants will continue to receive the highest quality social and emotional support they have come to expect. The new partnership will also look to expand program delivery in order to reach even more people affected by cancer. The expansion process will involve partnering with community hospitals, cancer centers, academic institutions, government and other organizations.

Will the integration affect the services I'm currently receiving at my local Gilda's Club?

There will be no disruption of any services currently being delivered at local Wellness Communities or Gilda's Clubs.

Yes, we do anticipate having new services, but these will be introduced over time and in a thoughtful manner so as not to disrupt any current services being provided at your Wellness Community or Gilda's Club. Many of the new services will be driven by key recommendations provided in the 2007 Institute of Medicine Report, "Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs."

This will not change from the present system. Money donated locally stays local.

How many locations will the new organization have across the United States and around the world?

The new organization will be comprised of nearly 50 local affiliates, 12 affiliates in development and over 100 off-site and satellite locations worldwide. There are currently four Wellness Communities in California all located in Los Angeles area. Gilda's Club Desert Cities is still the only one in the State of California and the only organization of its kind in Southern California.

"It's Always Something" Teen Essay Contest Entry Deadline Extended to June 5

Cathedral City, CA (May 7, 2009)...In an effort to give Indio High School students an opportunity to participate due to their recent closure, Gilda's Club Desert Cities "It's Always Something" Teen Essay Contest deadline has been extended to Friday, June 5. The contest is for high school students with a focus on giving teenagers the chance to open up and share their stories about living with cancer or living in a family affected by cancer.

Young writers in the 9th - 12th grade are encouraged to tell their story. Gilda's Club is looking for honest, detailed personal essays demonstrating an authentic ability to move readers by sharing their experience and an overall message on how it has impacted your life. Are you a cancer survivor? Have you helped a family member or friend deal with cancer? How did you learn to live with cancer?

Entries must be submitted by mail or in person by Friday, June 5 to 67-625 East Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 7A. Essay must be typed, double spaced and between 500 and 2000 words long. Finalist essays will be read by a panel of judges in a fair and unbiased multi-round judging process. Contest prizes are $1000 first place, $500 for the second prize winner, and third place receives $250.

Their mission is to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer - men, women, teens and children - along with their families and friends. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities. Gilda's Club Desert Cities is the only clubhouse in the state of California and is the recipient of the 2008 Non-Profit of the Year Award presented by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

For complete entry and contest details contact: Argentina Serrano-Baldridge, MSW, Program Director at 760-770-5678 x 110 or, by e-mail gcdcprogram@dc.rr.com. Visit Gilda's Club Desert Cities www.gildasclubdesertcities.org. Contact Jeff Hocker for hi-resolution photos and interviews: 760-323-3338 ext. 225.

Palm Springs, CA (April 29, 2009)...dwell at Home in the Modern World magazine and Total Marketing Partners wilol present the inaugural BARKitecture CHIQue competition in Palm Springs. Hosted by the new ultra cool ACE Hotel & Swim Club, Friday, May 1 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, the event is guaranteed to be a real dog pleaser with a wide range of architecturally unique canine homes up for auction.

Best selling author, Fred Albert of the coffee table book Barkitecture will be one of the esteemed judges for the competition and auction. Mr. Albert is the editor of Seattle Homes and Lifestyles magazine and co-author of American Design: The Northwest.

Generously sponsored by Regency Homes, BARKitecture CHIQue 2009 has had submissions of elaborate designs ranging from one of the top schools of architecture, NewSchool of Architectural Design in San Diego and locally, professional architects, interior designers and even students from Cathedral City High School. A unique, unusual and fun architectural competition, builders are challenged to build a stylistic and functional dwelling for dogs within determined guidelines.

At present, judges include Extra correspondent Michael Corbett, cult film star Udo Kier, Louise Neyer, Louise Neyer Interiors; Jay Nailor and MiShell Modern, M Modern Gallery; Tim Clark and Daniel Wright, Wright Design Group & Wright Image; and Paul Golden, Gilda's Club Board member and President of Golden Construction, who will be presenting cash prizes to the top three designers based on artistic merit, quality and durability. The grand prize winner will receive $1,500 and be featured in a photo spread in an upcoming issue of dwell at Home in the Modern World magazine, $1,000 goes to 2nd place and 3rd will receive $500.

The top three winners will be auctioned off in a live auction in conjunction with travel & entertainment packages. Entries not in the top three will be available for bidding in the silent auction. Winners will be announced at the ACE Hotel & Swim Club the evening of the competition, Friday, May 1 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Admission to this incredible dog friendly evening of unique architectural design is $25.00. BARKitecture CHIQue 2009 will feature sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and BARKitinis, live entertainment and a variety of canine festivities and doggie boutique items with net proceeds benefiting Gilda's Club Desert Cities California. ACE Hotel & Swim Club is located at 701 East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

Our mission is to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer - men, women, teens and children - along with their families and friends. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities. Gilda's Club Desert Cities is the only clubhouse in the state of California and is the recipient of the 2008 Non-Profit of the Year Award presented by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets are available by phone: 760-323-3338 / 760-770-5678 or at the door. Email barkitecture@totalmarketingpartners.com or visit www.totalmarketingpartners.com. Contact Jeff Hocker for hi-resolution photos and interviews: 760-323-3338, ext. 225.

"IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING" TEEN ESSAY CONTEST

Cathedral City, CA (April 23, 2009)... Gilda's Club Desert Cities presents: "It's Always Something" Teen Essay Contest for high school students which focuses on giving teenagers the chance to open up and share their stories about living with cancer or living in a family affected by cancer.

Young writers in the 9th - 12th grades are encouraged to tell their story. Gilda's Club is looking for honest, detailed personal essays demonstrating an authentic ability to move readers by sharing their experience and an overall message on how it has impacted your life. Are you a cancer survivor? Have you helped a family member or friend deal with cancer? How did you learn to live with cancer?

Essay and completed contest entry form must be submitted by mail or in person to 67-625 East Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 7A on or before May 11, 2009. Essay must be typed, double spaced and between 500 and 2000 words long. Finalist essays will be read by a panel of judges in a fair and unbiased multi-round judging process. Contest prizes are $1000 first place, $500 for the second prize winner, and third place receives $250.

Their mission is to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone lliving with cancer - men, women, teens and children - along with their families and friends. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities. Gilda's Club Desert Cities is the only clubhouse in the state of California and is the recipient of the 2008 Non-Profit of the Year Award presented by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

RITA RUDNER IN THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE!

BENEFITTING GILDA'S CLUB DESERT CITIES

Presented by Spotlight 29 Casino

Cathedral City, CA (January 27, 2009)...Gilda's Club Desert Cities and Spotlight 29 Casino present "Thursday Night Live" starring Ace Award Nominee & Peter Sellers Award winner Rita Rudner on Thursday, March 5, 2009 AT 8:00PM. Dinner and performance sponsorships are available from $500 to $50,000. Performance Only tickets are available for $50 to $125 per ticket. For questions, tickets, or additional information, please contact Paula Kennedy 760-770-5678. This spectacular evening would not be possible without the support of presenting sponsor the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation and Honorary Chairs Jackie Lee & Jim Houston. Gilda's Club Board member Peter Wasserman and his wife Judi are chairing the Event Committee.

Voted "Best Comedian in Las Vegas" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal for the last five years, Rita Rudner has become one of Las Vegas' most beloved performers. In a city of cabarets and production shows, Rudner is one of the few female headliners achieving success by keeping her clothes on. What began as a one-month booking at the MGM Grand in 2000 led to a permanent engagement at New York-New York's $1.2 million Cabaret Theatre built exclusively for the incredible Rudner. After ending a five-year run at New York-New York in August of 2006, Rudner began performing at Harrah's Las Vegas in October of 2006.

Rita's first solo HBO special, "Rita Rudner's One Night Stand," was nominated for two Ace Awards, as was her English television show which later appeared on A&E. Rita's two one-hour specials for HBO, "Born to Be Mild" and "Married Without Children," were ratings standouts and many viewers liked her dresses.

Rita has written four books, including two fiction novels: her first, "Tickled Pink," was published in the fall of 2001, and her second, "Turning the Tables," was published in the fall of 2006. Her other books include the best-selling "Naked Beneath My Clothes" and "Rita Rudner's Guide to Men," which continues to be quoted extensively on the internet in English and in languages she will never understand. Speaking of men, in 1989 Rita married Englishman Martin Bergman. The two have collaborated in more ways than one. The movie "Peter's Friends" was their first produced script. It starred Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh and won the Peter Seller's award for best comedy film of the year.

In between live appearances, Martin and Rita continue to write and sell movie and television scripts in Hollywood. Rita also found time to help write the 2001 & 2003 Oscar's with Steve Martin and the 2002 Oscar's with Whoopi Goldberg.

Gilda's Gift of Giving 7th Annual Luncheon, Boutique & Fashion Show

Featuring the Couture of Lourdes Chavez

Cathedral City, CA (October 31, 2008)...Looking for the perfect gift for the holidays? Join Mistress of Ceremonies, Pattie Daly Caruso for the 7th Annual Gilda's Gift of Giving Luncheon, Boutique & Fashion Show coming to the Celebrity Ballroom of the beautiful Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa Friday, November 21, 2008. This year, a Preview Cocktail Party, Boutique & Silent Auction will take place on Thursday, November 20 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Ambassador Ballroom as a precursor to the annual luncheon.

Bid on spectacular and one-of-a-kind auction items:

Silversea 7-day cruise on the Silver Whisper from Monte Carlo, Monaco to Barcelona, Spain - August 15, 2009.
Mercedes-Benz of Palm Springs will provide a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 for auction MSRP $40,000 (min. bid $35,400). Tax and licensing is the responsibility of the new owner.
One week in a 4,000 sq.ft. 3 bedroom, 4 bath, top floor penthouse on an 'island' in La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico - overlooking the bay and a world class golf course.
Two - one week stays in a very private 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa in Mexico with Private Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi. One in Cabo San Lucas "Club Cascadas" and the other in Puerto Vallarta "Ocho Cascadas".
Golf Packages from Andalusia, Citrus, Desert Willow, Indian Ridge Country Club, Indian Wells Golf Resort, Palm Valley Country Club, and Rancho La Qunta Golf Club.
A guest house stay (for one ouple, 4 nights) in Smuggler's Cove on San Juan Island on the straits of Juan De Fuca, North Puget Sound, Washington plus welcome cocktail party by the hosts, June - Sept 2009.
Join the Bentley Idyllwild Convoy on Dec 3rd - departing Bighorn Golf Club at 10:00 am, lunch at Cafe' Aroma and end the evening at a corner Jacuzzi suite at Creekstone Inn. Two separate packages will be available.
Golf Cart supplied by Electric Car Distributor.

Gilda's Gift of Giving 7th Annual Luncheon on Friday, November 21 features the fabulous Lourdes Chavez and her stunning couture. Lourdes hand picks only the finest fabrics for her designs from mills in Europe, and her fashion statements carry women from daytime to dusk with subtle elegance created to reflect each woman's own sense of style. "We...offer any women no matter what size or shape that perfect outfit to allow her a feeling of complete satisfaction with sophisticated style," remarks Chavez.

Reserve your $50.00 tickets now for the "Opportunity Drawings" to be sold on both Thursday and Friday.

Eleven Night Crystal Symphony Cruise - Montreal to New York City - October 19-30, 2009 - Valued at $10,000.
Platinum Ladies Diamond & Pearl Ring - Valued at $10,200.
Blue Topaz Bracelet (December's birthstone!) Valued at $1,000.

This event would not be possible without the incredible support of The Auen Foundation, Jackie Lee and Jim Houston, Peter and Judi Wasserman, Dobbins Family Foundation, Lois and David Friedland.

Tickets for the preview night Thursday, November 20 are $60.00 and $125.00 for the 7th Annual Luncheon, Fashion Show & Boutique Friday, November 21.

GILDA'S CLUB DESERT CITIES SUPPORTERS TO PERFORM IN DANCING WITH OUR STARS

October 25th - 6:00 P.M.

Hyatt Grand Champions, Indian Wells

Cathedral City, CA (October 15, 2008)...Gilda's Club Desert Cities is a proud supporter of Dancing With Our Stars, and will be represented this year by Bruce and Kathleen Singer of Palm Desert. Kathleen is a two time Breast Cancer Survivor, having just completed treatment earlier this year, and after getting an "all clear" from her doctors, Kathleen is dancing for Gilda's Club with her beloved husband of 14 years, Bruce.

Kathleen says, "This competition is my "coming out party'...A celebration of my renewed health and our opportunity to give back with a big 'thank you' to Gilda's Club...a most vital, consistent beacon of support that kept me going forward with resources, hugs, and laughter during the great challenges of my life facing cancer."

Kathleen is an Executive Event Coordinator / Designer who is an Accredited Home Staging Specialist. Bruce is "Kathleen's Renaissance man" and is a two time Author (two humor books written during Kathleen's treatment to keep her laughing); a 1031 Real Estate Investment Specialist; a voting member of the Grammy's and an incredible Rock and Roll entertainer.

Dancing with Our Stars is produced by a Charity Affaire, a firm based in Indian Wells, which started the fundraiser in 2006. To date, the event has raised $250,000 for 43 different charities. The hosts for this year's event are Jason Lewis, star of the hit HBO series Sex and the City, and Tanya McRae, host of the local entertainment show Spotlight on the Desert.

Tickets for Dancing with Our Stars are $135 per person and include one vote, plus dinner and wine. Checks for the dinner tickets are made out to Dancing With Our Stars. Proxy votes are also available for $25 each, with 100% of those proceeds going to that chosen charity. The dinner performance is not a charity event and only the vote donations are tax deductible.

GILDA'S CLUB DESERT CITIES SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH LECTURE

"Making Meaning our of the Breast Cancer Experience through Art, Photography & Words"

Cathedral City, CA-- (October 10, 2008)...Renee Jarvis, MSW, an eleven-year breast cancer and chemotherapy survivor will give a powerful seminar called "Making Meaning out of the Breast Cancer Experience through Art, Photography & Words". This special evening wll be Thursday, October 16 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Gilda's Club Desert Cities and is free, open to the public and suitable for women of all ages. Women may bring children and they can attend Noogieland while their parent or guardian is in the seminar. A question and answer period with Renee Jarvis will follow the presentation. Reservations are highly recommended by calling 760-770-5678.

Jarvis will use multi-media to express the myriad of emotions the artisis have gone through during their diagnosis, treatment and recovery stages of breast cancer. Pictures of paintings, sculptures and photographs have been carefully woven together with poems and expressive writings all with the guise of helping women through their difficult time. Quite often, the artwork portrays different aspects of the breast cancer experience and in many ways, they conflict with each other.

"What I hope participants will get from this seminar is that they will relate to the artwork with their own experience which in turn will inspire them to express themselves through their own art form. Past participants are often surprised at the deep and real connection they have with the artist's works. Artisis commentary is included in many of the seminars visuals to enable participants to fully understand what the artist meant to convey," said Renee Jarvis MSW.

Renee Jarvis, MSW Biography (Masters Degree in Social Work)

Renee is 52 years young and recently celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband Tom Robinette. They live in Yuaipa, CA. She was a professional photographer for many years prior to her breast cancer diagnosis. She is currently attending Loma Lnda University and working on her doctorate to pursue a career in psycho-oncology.

Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa Presents: "BIG TIME BOXING"

A Golden Boy Promotions Event

To Benefit Gilda's Club Desert Cities

Cathedral City, CA (September 16, 2008)...Gilda's Club Desert Cities is a proud partner with Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa who will present a night of "BIG TIME BOXING", an Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotion Friday, October 24, 2008. The event will benefit Gilda's Club Desert Cities. Fights begin at 4:30 pm, 6 - 7 bouts, featuring rising lightweight division stars Vicente Escobedo, 2004 Olympian, Woodland, CA (18-1, 11 KO's) VS. Dominic Salcedo, Undefeated Prospect, Rialto, CA (16-0, 8 KO's), PLUS: Montebello'w Nestor Rocha (19-1, 6 KO's).

Your tax deductible $125 ticket includes: one championship fight ticket; Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa Winners Club membership; Potrero Canyon Buffet for one (11:00 am - 3:00 pm); two complimentary beverages; and Shuttle Service. Raffle Prizes will be awarded.

Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa is located at 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CA 92230, just off I-10, approximately 20 minutes west of Palm Springs. For tickets and additional information, call Gilda's Club Desert Cities: 760-770-5678.

About Gilda's Club Desert Cities

Our mission is to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer - men, women, teens and children - along with their families and friends. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking nd support groups, workshops, education and social activities. Gilda's Club Desert Cities is the only clubhouse in the state of California and is the recipient of the 2008 Non-Profit of the Year Award presented by the Palm Sprins Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information, call 760-770-5678 or visit Gilda's Club Desert Cities www.gildasclubdesertcities.org.

Gilda's Club Invited to Participate in "Stand Up To Cancer"

Viewing Parties to be Held Locally at Gilda's Club Desert Cities and Hotel Zoso

Cathedral City, CA (August 28, 2008) - Gilda's Club Desert Cities has been invited to participate in "Stand Up To Cancer" through the generosity of the Entertainment Industry Foundation as a Gold Partner. This new initiative will raise philanthropic dollars for accelerating ground-breaking research.

On September 5, 2008 at 8 p.m., ABC, CBS and NBC will simulcast a one hour commercial-free primetime nationally televised fundraising event aimed at rallying the public around the goal of ending cancer as a leading cause of death. The special will feature live performances by over 40 legendare recording artists and stars of film and television including: Charlize Theron, Sidney Poitier, Jennifer Aniston, Sally Field, Henry Winkler, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Susan Sarandon, Morgan Freeman to name a few of the over 40 scheduled to appear. In addition to live performances there will be pre-recorded segments giving crucial insights into cancer. Network news anchors Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams will report on potentially life-saving research, speaking with both patients and scientists. Gilda's Club Desert Cities representatives, Board President Bill Bonnheim, Executive Director Paula Kennedy, Co-Founder Paula Berke, and local philanthropist David Peet will be representing Gilda's Club both locally and worldwide at the Los Angeles event.

Gilda's Club Desert Cities will be hosting a viewing party at their clubhouse in Cathedral City with refreshments and at Hotel Zoso in downtown Palm Springs in the lobby lounge with live music and happy hour prices. Both event locations will begin at 7:00 pm. Friday, September 5 and are free and open to the public, but RSVP's are strongly suggested as capacity is limited. Call 760-770-5678 or, for additional information on Gilda's Club Desert Cities www.gildasclubdesertcities.org.

Attendees at both events will include members, community partners, supporters and others who may be interested in supporting this nationwide focus on cancer in a community setting.

About Stand Up To Cancer

Stand Up To Cancer is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and was established by a group of media, entrtainment and philanthropic leaders, whose lives have all been affected by cancer in significant ways.

Stand Up To Cancer's leadership team includes Katie Couric; Laura Ziskin; the Entertainment Industry Foundation, represented by Board of Directors Chairperson Sherry Lansing (who is also Founder of the Sherry Lansing Foundaton), CEO Lisa Paulsen, and Vice President Kathleen Lobb; the Noreen Fraser Foundation and its executives Noreen Fraser (who is also a cencer survivor) and Woody Fraser, and Rusty Robertson and Sue Schwartz also of the Robertson Schwartz Agency; and nonprofit executive Ellen Ziffren, whose husband, noted L.A. attorney Ken Ziffren, played a pivotal role in bringing together the three networks for the broadcast special.

Stand Up To Cancer's innovative approach to research is designed to eliminate barriers that have traditionally inhibited creativity and collaboration by enabling the best and brightest investigators from leading institutions across the country and internationally to work together. These collaborative "Dream Teams" will pursue the most promising research, accelerating the discovery of new therapies for cancer patients and advancing efforts in cancer prevention research. Stand Up To Cancer monies will also be used for some high-risk, high-impact cancer research proposals, which are often not supported by conventional funding sources. The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focusing on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research, will conduct expert scientific review of the research projects and administer funds raised through the initiative under the direction of a Scientific Advisory Committee.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

SU2C Gilda's Club Desert Cities

Rubenstein Communications, Inc. Jeff Hocker

Andy Shearer Total Marketing Partners

212-843-8061 ashearer@rubenstein.com 760-323-3338 x225

Tom Chodo

212-843-8289 tchiodo@rubenstein.com

Rachel Nagler 212-843-8017 rnagler@rubenstein.com

CAMP ZINK COMES TO GILDA'S CLUB DESERT CITIES NOOGIELAND

Camp Focuses on Children Touched by Cancer

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA - July 29, 2008...Camp Zink Comes to Gilda's Club Desert Cities, Wednesday, August 6 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Gilda's Club will be introducing Program Director Argentina Serrano-Baldridge, MSW as Zink the Zebra to younger people in the Desert who have been touched in some way by cancer. Noogieland, led by yhouth program manager, Sten Brickman, LMFT, is an ongoing program at Gilda's Club giving much needed support to children.

Zink the Zebra promotes the understanding and acceptance of human differences through specially created character education programs that help children and adults realize the necessity to respect and show compassion toward others.

Zink the Zebra facilitates interactive activities that help develop awareness and acceptance of individual differences. The Zink program creates an environment where personal experiences and feellings can be shared in order to help children through the cancer journey and beyond.

This day-long camp will include arts and crafts, games, magicians, and even a visit from Zink the Zebra herself! Food, beverages & fun will be provided in a welcoming, open and supportive environment.

Adults are not the only ones who can find the cancer experience to be isolating; kids often deal with isolation as well. They often feel that it is hard to fit in. Zink teaches us that we are more alike than we are different. Camp Zink is for children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews or any other child who has been touched by cancer in our Community, " said Paula Kennedy, Exeutive Director, Gilda's Club Desert Citiesw.

Camp Zink is Open to Gilda's Club Members and Orientation is Free! Not yet a Member of GCDC? Membership is required for all activities at Gilda's Club - but it's FREE and becoming a member is easy:

1) Call 760-770-5678 to sign up for a New Member Orientation.

2) Schedula an appointment at your convenience with one of our licensed professionals to design a Customized Plan.

3) Enjoy our Support Groups, Activities, Lectures and More!

The Gilda's Club Program is free of charge, New Member Meetings are held every Tuesday at 1pm and 1st & 3rd Saturdays at noon. The meetings include an overview of the program and a tour of the clubhouse. Members receive a monthly calendar listing the activities in which they may take part.

GILDA'S CLUB DESERT CITIES BIDS FAREWELL TO SUPPORTER AND BOARD MEMBER SORON M. LITMAN

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA - July 18, 2008 - Gilda's Club bids a sad farewell to their longtime friend and supporter Soron M. Litman, Second Vice President of Gilda's Club Desert Cities Board of Directors, who passed away on the evening of July 7, 2008 at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California.

Mr. Litman will be missed, but will also be remembered for his tireless efforts in shepherding Gilda's Club Desert Cities over the past eigh years and helping it become a place of hope and support fo so many people.

Born September 15, 1936 in Duluth, MN, to Babe and Evelyn Litman, he married Judie Weinberg in 1956 Minneapolis and moved to Los Angeles, California where they raised five children: 3 sons, Scott, Tony & Mark and 2 daughters, Stacie & Carrie.

Soron M. Litman graduated with honors from UCLA in 1960 with a B.S. in Marketing. After 28 years of experience in his field, he started his own company, HLC Financial, Inc., in Woodland Hills, California. After selling his Fortune 500 Company, he and Judie retired to Palm Desert. He was fondly known as "Zadie" to his 15 grandchildren: Jordan, Brian, Josh, Eric, Ali, Jessica, Alyssa, Riley, Blair, Ryan, Brynn, Lorin, Jack, Max & Nick.

A beautiful memorial service was held for Soron on Thursday July 10, 2008 at the Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

If you would like to make a donation to Gilda's Club in memory of Soron, please call (760) 770-5678.

General Press Release

Gilda's Club Desert Cities is the 20th chartered affiliate to join Gilda's Club Worldwide and the first Gilda's Club in California. The original Gilda's Club was formed in New York City in 1991 in the memory of the famous comedian Gilda Radner, who lost her courageous battle to ovarian cancer. The founders were her husband, Gene Wilder and therapist, Joanna Bull. The mission of Gilda's Club is to create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer - men, women, teens and children - along with their families and friends. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, education and social activities.

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