September is National Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and KiKi Shepard & The K.I.S Foundation will host its 13th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge to ‘raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease’ on Saturday September 24, 2016. The night of fun and charity will be held at PINZ Entertainment Center 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA, 91604. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with celebrity bowlers, sponsors and supporters walking the Red carpet and playing a 2-game bowling tournament at 8pm. There will be on-site bone marrow registration, opportunity drawings, awards, surprise entertainment, food and a variety of event goodies. The K.I.S. Foundation is 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,” says K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. Founder KiKi Shepard. The Celebrity Bowling Challenge stresses the need to educate the public about SCD, and creates a fun environment for all to enjoy while becoming even more aware! Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited, non-contagious, red blood cell disorder, present at birth. 1 in 13 African American babies are born with the Sickle Cell trait every year and sadly the life expectancy for persons diagnosed with SCD is lowest in California is 35 women and 32 men.
Raising awareness for Sickle Cell Disease has always been a personal mission for KiKi Shepard (Actress/ Host of “It’s Showtime at The Apollo”) since she discovered she carries the SCD trait and after witnessing the pain of a dear friend’s family after their loss of a brother due to SCD. “I knew I had to do something. This 20 year journey raising awareness and education about Sickle Cell Disease has been rewarding in so many ways and still disappointing in others. We MUST find a universal cure,,,,,and SOON!”, says K.I.S. Foundation, Inc. Founder Kiki Shepard.
Confirmed and invited celebrities lending their support in the charitable event include: James Pickens Jr. (Grey’s Anatomy), Chandra Wilson (Grey’s Anatomy), Rocky Carroll (NCIS), Super Bowl/Dancing with the Stars Champion Donald Driver, Glynn Turman (Queen Sugar), Marsai Martin (Black-ish), Salli Richardson Whitfield (STITCHES), Dawnn Lewis (Major Crimes), Dondre’ T. Whitfield (Queen Sugar), Vanessa Bell Calloway (SHAMELESS), Yvette Nicole Brown (The Odd Couple), Omar Gooding, cast members from EMPIRE, BLACK-ish, and BEING MARY JANE, Obba Babatunde’ (Bold and the Beautiful), Tina Lawson, Pooch Hall (Ray Donovan), Tonya Banks (Little Women LA), Jackee’, Arjay Smith, Damion Hall (GUY), Alimi Ballard (The Catch), Gabrielle Dennis (Rosewood).
Interested sponsors and bowlers can participate on various levels: Lane sponsors $2,500; Teams $800 (includes 4 bowlers plus a celebrity); Individual bowlers $150; Nonbowlers $75. All proceeds are tax-deductible. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.thekisfoundation.org. This year’s efforts will support the initiatives of the K.I.S Foundation’s programs – the Crises Care Package and the Catch-Up Program and the need to get tested NOW!
