Media Contact:
Lisa L. White, Ph.D.
(919) 612-1166
lisa@rockagainstcancer.org
JOHN MAYER TO KICK-OFF CHILDHOOD CANCER MONTH; NC
GOVERNOR TO MAKE SPECIAL CANCER PROCLAMATION
CARRBORO, NC. --North Carolina
governor, Michael F. Easley, will declare September Childhood Cancer Awareness
Month with a special proclamation on September 22, 2003.
Pop/rock star John Mayer will kickoff Childhood
Cancer Awareness Month (September) September 2, 2003 at Alltel Pavilion in
Charlotte, NC with tickets for area teens fighting cancer.
Teens battling cancer will have the opportunity to enjoy the
music of the platinum-selling Mayer.
One of Rock Against Cancer's core programs, "Stars Night Out,"
provides teens with cancer an opportunity to meet artists, take personal
photographs, receive CDs, T-shirts, autographs, and enjoy special concert
seating.
Awareness of childhood cancer is the focus of
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. More than 15,000 children are diagnosed with
cancer each year. Despite remarkable progress in treating childhood cancers,
more children die of cancer than of any other disease, including asthma,
diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and AIDS combined.
The gold ribbon has been designated as the
universal symbol of childhood cancer awareness. September 17-19, 2003 has been
designated as "Childhood Cancer Gold Ribbon Days" at the U.S. Capitol
in Washington, D.C. Childhood cancer patients, survivors, parents, family
members, researchers and caregivers will gather in the nation's capitol to meet
with members of Congress and advocate for the treatment and research that will
help conquer kids' cancer. Rock
Against Cancer Founder, Dr. Lisa White will attend and present Senator John Edwards
with a gold ribbon pin.
-more-
-2- JOHN
MAYER TO KICK-OFF CHILDHOOD CANCER MONTH; NC GOVERNOR TO MAKE SPECIAL CANCER
PROCLAMATION
Founded in January 2000, Rock Against Cancer is a national
nonprofit organization working with well-known entertainers from the music
industry to provide innovative and exciting opportunities for children and
teens with cancer to meet artists and attend concerts. These programs empower and support the emotional needs of children and teens
fighting cancer.
In addition to John Mayer's concert and the
governor's proclamation, Rock Against Cancer will participate in various other
local events throughout September including an awareness/information booth at
the Carrboro Music Festival on Sunday, September 28th. On September 8th, Chapel
Hill Mayor Kevin Foy will sign a city Proclamation declaring September
“Childhood Cancer Awareness Month”.
Rock Against Cancer in conjunction with Kelly
Healthcare Resources & Road To Life will host an Ice Cream Social on
September 22 at Duke Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Kevin Ryan, Chief
of the Women's and Children's Health Section in the N.C. Department of Health
and Human Services will read the Childhood Cancer
Awareness Month Proclamation signed by NC Governor Mike Easley. Dr. Ryan will share North Carolina’s
famous Mapleview Farms ice cream with kids fighting cancer and their families,
staff and public.
UNC student service organization, Carolina
Cancer Focus will be filling Rock Against Cancer’s “Gifts from the Heart” bags
on Tuesday September 30th with autographed CD’s, t-shirts, and CD
players for children and teens hospitalized during cancer treatment.
For more information, please visit www.rockagainstcancer.org. To
request a free gold ribbon via the Internet, please visit www.ChildhoodCancerAwareness.org.
###