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DIABETES PREVENTION FINDS FRIENDS IN THE STARS

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - November 12, 2001 -- A fundraising event held this past Sunday, November 11, found itself high on the "to do" list of many well-known personalities. "An Afternoon of Art and Jazz," held at the Le Meridien Hotel in Beverly Hills, was organized to support the cause of diabetes prevention and education in minority communities where diabetes is particularly devastating. The proceeds from the event will go to Total Lifestyle Change (TLC); the Los Angeles based non-profit organization that put together the overwhelmingly successful event.

The afternoon began with a VIP reception that hosted such notables as Congresswomen Barbara Lee and Diane Watson. As Kevin Toney and his band played their first hypnotizing set for the day, prominent members of the community shared their stories of how diabetes has impacted them personally. But unfortunate accounts of diabetes suffering gave way to optimism as Dr. Lenore Coleman, director of TLC, made her way across the room telling guests of her vision of decreasing diabetes cases, and how her organization is going to achieve such a feat.

"November is National Diabetes month, and nobody suffers in greater numbers from this preventable disease than people of color," emphasized Dr. Lenore Coleman. "I am committed to this. We need to take care of our community, and diabetes is running rampant among us."

Event headliners Gerald Albright, Carl Anderson, Miki Howard and Kevin Toney delivered stellar performances and readily also showed their support for TLC. And, although the event's cause is serious, the day was full of light-hearted fun. Charismatic event host and broadcast news personality Dave Clark of KCAL Channel 9 playfully joined the audience in chanting "Howard! Howard! Howard," beckoning Howard Hewett from his seat onto the stage. Mr. Hewett began his impromptu performance by disclosing that his mother passed away from complications of diabetes.

Evelyn "Champagne" King also captured the audience's rapt attention with a surprise appearance on stage. Her soulful rendition of "The Way We Were" stilled the crowd to silence. Ms. King's voice was only challenged at the end of the song by thunderous applause.

The outspoken and much-loved commentator Tavis Smiley was on-hand to accept special recognition for his accomplishments. He spoke frankly to the audience about the importance of better health care and health education in minority communities, and pledged his support to the goals of TLC. Other notables in attendance included: actor Bernie Casey, Assemblyman Mike Davis, actress Natalee Desselles, Sheila Frazier of BET's Comic View, Dexter King, President of the King Center and son of Martin Luther King, Jr., world-renown artist Artis Lane, Queens of Comedy comedienne Sommore, actress Phyllis Stickney, actor Willard Pugh, and top model/actress Correnna White.

A silent auction of acclaimed contemporary artist Emmy Lu's paintings raised an impressive amount of proceeds for TLC's crusade against diabetes. Top bidders for the silent auction were Tavis Smiley, Elizabeth Gardner, Synthia Molina and Al Bolden.

Drew Medical Society and Black & Brown Sugar collaborated with TLC in the planning of "An Afternoon of Art and Jazz." Novo Nordisk, world leader in diabetes care, was a major contributor for the event. Other event supporters included Alert Staffing, Aventis, Bayer, California Endowment, Pfizer, and Remy Martin.

TLC's all-volunteer staff is already planning their next fundraising event, which will take place in the coming spring. In addition, VIPs and other attendees to this year's "An Afternoon of Art and Jazz" are already clamoring for a 2nd Annual in November of 2002. TLC will more than likely oblige the requests.

However, while surrounded by the celebrities and VIPs she now counts among her supporters, Dr. Coleman maintains her perspective. "I'm happy with the turnout today. I appreciate everyone who came to support the cause. But I know this is just the beginning. We still have so much work to do, and the work we have to do is expensive. Our health screenings, the church-based education programs, the support groups…everything we do costs money. We can't afford rest on our laurels after today…we have to be diligent about fundraising because we are diligently spending that money on saving peoples' lives. This is good, but I will be happier when diabetes doesn't need a fundraiser anymore."

For more information on diabetes, the public is encouraged contact TLC at 800-788-0941. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Total Lifestyle Change, 310 E. Florence Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301.