The Cast of Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS, Super Bowl/Dancing with the Stars Champion Donald Driver, Dawnn Lewis, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Salli Richardson Whitfield, Glynn Turman, Dondre’ Whitfield, Ray Chew, Dorian Missick, and more roll strikes for a cause during Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month
PRLog - Sep. 19, 2014 - STUDIO CITY, Calif. -- Did you know in the United States, 1 in 2,500 newborn babies have Sickle Cell Disease and approximately 54,000 multi-cultured babies are born each year with the sickle cell trait? “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” legendary host/Actress KiKi Shepard, through her K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. has dedicated years to raising awareness of this crippling disease. On Saturday September 27, 2014, the charity will host its 11th Annual “Celebrity Bowling Challenge” to help increase knowledge of this rapidly growing disease. Hollywood celebrities and families living with SCD will enjoy America’s favorite pastime by “rolling-a-strike” to raise awareness of SCD plus benefit the programs of The K.I.S Foundation, Inc. and the Dorothy H. Shepard Scholarship Fund. The event will take place at PINZ Entertainment Center, 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA, 91604 at 6:30 p.m. Celebrity bowlers, sponsors and supporters will participate in an evening of fun including a Red carpet, 2-game bowling tournament, on-site bone marrow registration, opportunity drawings, awards, surprise entertainment and a variety of event goodies.
The mission of KiKi's "Celebrity Bowling Challenge" is to increase knowledge about Sickle Cell Disease -- an inherited, non-contagious blood disease that can be crippling, painful, and life threatening. The lively event stresses the need to educate the public about this fatal disease, and to stimulate continued dialogue about how it is spread, its debilitating effects, ways of prevention, bone marrow transplant surgery, and the need to get tested now.
Constantly on the forefront seeking a SCD cure and keeping informed on political changes that affect those living with Sickle Cell Disease, the K.I.S. Foundation is educating our champions of support about the Sickle Cell Treatment Re-authorization Act of 2014. The SCTRA is a bipartisan legislation introduced to the House of Representatives to renew the nation’s programs for research, surveillance, prevention, and treatment of SCD for another 4 years. This is a huge step for maintained, comprehensive care.
“For 11 years, with the support of my dedicated board of directors, my amazing friends in the entertainment industry, the SCD community at-large, and, now, strong corporate support, KiKi’s ‘Celebrity Bowling Challenge’ has raised awareness of Sickle Cell Disease. We continue to strive to educate many as to what we can do individually and collectively to aid and support this worthy cause and community. The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. fully supports the SCTRA of 2014 and asks everyone to support it too. This bill must be passed,” says, The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. Founder KiKi Shepard.
Confirmed celebrities lending their support and participating in the charitable event include: The cast of Grey’s Anatomy including James Pickens Jr., Chandra Wilson, Rocky Carroll (NCIS), Super Bowl/Dancing with the Stars Champion Donald Driver, Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Being Mary Jane), Arjay Smith (Perception), Bresha Webb (Love that Girl), Dondre Whitfield, Dawnn Lewis, Omarosa Manigault. Jackee’, Damion Hall, Wesley Jonathon, Obba Babatunde, Vanessa Bell-Calloway, Ray Chew, Shanica Knowles, Michael Colyar, plus Dorian Missick (ANNIE) a.k.a. DJ Tailwind Turner spinning live throughout the tournament.
Actress KiKi Shepard and founder of The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. says, “We remain focused on creating programs for young adults transitioning from pediatric to adult care. The need for continued legislation, funding, and an affordable universal cure continues.”
Bowlers attending Kiki’s CBC can participate on various levels: Lane sponsors $2,500; Teams $700 (includes 4 bowlers plus a celebrity); Individual bowlers $150; Non-bowlers $75. All proceeds are tax-deductible. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets available until September 27th and can be purchased online at www.thekisfoundation.org.
This event is sponsored by: Wells Fargo, UPS, Xerox, James Pickens Jr. Foundation, Donald and Betina Driver, NCIS, SermoonJoy Entertainment, Bludso’s BBQ, Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, Throttle Monsters, Inc., Culturs.Guru, Elgin Charles of Beverly Hills, and SEIU.
For more information, talent submissions or media credentials, contact Lisa Humphrey, Premier Concepts, email: media@premierconceptspr.com or call 310.605.5472.
About KiKi Shepard
KiKi Shepard hails from Tyler, Texas....the "Rose Capital of the World", is a graduate of Howard University, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is a versatile performer who loves entertaining, whether on film, television, or the stage. Best known as the "Queen of Fashion", for 15 years, millions of viewers tuned in weekly to "see what she will wear", as she showed off the season's latest designs in haute-couture as the smashing co-host of the original "It's Showtime at the Apollo"- TV's hottest late-nite variety show.
About the K.I.S. Foundation, Inc
The K.I.S. Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to improving the social health and quality of life for children, adults, and families living with Sickle Cell Disease, because “sickness has no boundaries and compassion has no limits.” Visit www.thekisfoundation.org
About Sickle Cell Disease
Discovered in the United States over 100 years ago, sickle-cell disease (SCD) statistics are staggering trait. Originally an African-American disease, there are approximately 80,000 Americans living with sickle-cell disease and 3.5 million with sickle cell trait and related disorders. Today the disease has crossed into all races making SCD a multi-cultural disease. While there is no general applicable cure for SCD, several promising developments have occurred to improve the quality of life and survival of SCD patients such as bone marrow transplants and the latest pain management drug, Hydroxyurea.
About Premier Concepts
Premier Concepts PR (PCPR) is a full-service boutique firm specializing in Entertainment publicity for celebrities, special events, productions, lifestyle brands in addition to celebrity procurement and event coordination.
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KiKi Shepard’s K.I.S. Foundation 11th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge for Sickle Cell Awareness
September 19, 2014 at 15:04 PM EDT
