(NAPSA)—Ten years after both Gilda’s Club—thenonprofit cancer philanthropy named in memory of legendary “Saturday Night Live” star Gilda Radner—andthe Irish dance phenomenon “Riverdance” came on the scene, the two have teamed up to improve the lives of people affected by cancer and their family and friends. The original Irish dance troupe is donating a portion of the proceeds from its LOth anniversary performances March 10-17, 2005 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall to the organization, which operates 19 free cancer meeting places around the country for men, women and children who are affected by cancer. The donations will help support the club’s 30,000 members nationwide throughlectures, workshops and social events at the clubhouses. The idea of creating such a “community” came from Radner herself. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she found solace in a group of people who understood her feelings because they too had cancer and experienced manyof the same emotions. After finding this community, Radner said, “There should be a thousand of them.” Three years after her death in 1989, Gilda’s Club was created to help men, women and children—as well as their families and friends—who have any typeor stage of cancer. Children are especially hard hit when cancer strikes a loved one, and “Riverdance” created pro- “Riverdance” and Gilda’s Club are helping people with cancer. gramstailored to them. The troupe hosted special “Riverdance” movie nights at Gilda’s Clubhouses, where kids and parents watched “Riverdance” and learned Irish dance moves from expert “Riverdance” performers. Free tickets to “Riverdance’s” Radio City show were also awarded. “It is estimated that one out of every two men and one out of every three women in America will have cancerin their lifetimes, and we are particularly sensitive to how this affects children,” says Joyce Bichler, program director at Gilda’s Club Worldwide. “We hope our partnership will help Gilda’s Club Worldwide continue its fantastic work, bringing social and emotional support to people with cancer,” says “Riverdance” co-creator Moya Doherty. Separately, “Riverdance”will be touring throughout North America through this summer. For more information, visit www.riverdance.com or www. gildasclub.org. wane nnn nee n een n eeeQo ane eee nee eee Note to Editor: “Riverdance” will perform in the following cities in 2005: Nashville, TN (Feb. 15-20); Lincoln, NE (Feb. 23-27); Paducah, KY (Mar. 1); Aurora, IL (Mar. 4-6); Philadelphia, PA (Apr. 5-10); Columbus, OH (Apr.19-24); Detroit, MI (May 17-22); Williamsport, PA (May 31-June 1); Greenville, SC (June 10-12); Austin, TX (June 14-19).
