Scott Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill Return to the Ice in Premier Fox Television Thanksgiving Day Event: 'Kaleidoscope' Sponsored by sanofi-aventis US

September 23, 2009

Star-Studded Show To Feature Skating Champions, Recording Artists, Cancer Survivors and Health Advocates In One Unforgettable Night

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Television will be transformed this Thanksgiving Day into a celebration of Skating, Song and Survivorship with the debut of "Kaleidoscope" - a holiday variety special featuring Olympic skating champions and GRAMMY Award-winning music artists. The show will feature the historic return to the ice of the legendary Scott Hamilton in his first television performance since being diagnosed with a brain tumor five years ago. Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill will skate to the music of fellow cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John and one of America's foremost music producers David Foster. Also performing are Olympic Champion Kristi Yamaguchi, two-time Olympic Medalist Nancy Kerrigan and Olympic figure skating hopefuls Johnny Weir and Rachael Flatt.

"Kaleidoscope" from Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. will air nationally on FOX on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) 2009 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. (EST), immediately following the FOX Thanksgiving Day football telecast. Tickets for the 7pm Monday, November 16 taped performance at Verizon Center are on sale now.

"As a two-year cancer survivor, I am excited to be involved with 'Kaleidoscope' to help inspire women to take charge of their health and for cancer survivors to know that they are not alone in their journey," said Hamill, regarding her return to the ice in several years. "This is a tremendous platform to help make a difference in healthcare issues affecting women."

This year, "Kaleidoscope" is in part being presented by sanofi-aventis US a company committed to helping to improve the lives of patients. "We want to thank our advocacy partners, celebrity talent and supporters, especially sanofi-aventis, for helping us shine a light on the cancers that affect women while creating a platform to help them fight this disease," said Mike Burg, CEO of Edge Health, the creator and executive producer of "Kaleidoscope." "Our goal in creating this health initiative is to move beyond just awareness of women's cancers, but to empower women to take action with their health through a powerful event and important messages."

"After losing my mother to cancer, and being in the hands of a tremendous team of women caregivers while I battled my own cancer, I have made it a personal mission to advocate for women and cancer. Coming back to the ice on television for the first time in five years for this initiative gives me a chance to pay tribute to my mother, thank the caregivers who were there for me, and honor all cancer survivors," said Hamilton.

"Kaleidoscope" is a program designed to recognize women and the key role they play in the battle against cancer - as patients, caregivers, and advocates. Its mission is to address issues surrounding women and cancer by helping educate women to be proactive with their health and by honoring all cancer survivors, including the more than 713,000* women who are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. This effort is being supported by an unprecedented collaboration with 10 nationwide advocacy partners including: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Breast Cancer Network of Strength (BCNS), C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3), Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF), The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) and the Prevent Cancer Foundation (PCF).

For more information about "Kaleidoscope" please visit www.womenandcancer.com.

"As a cancer survivor, I would not have missed the opportunity to perform in 'Kaleidoscope,' which is an amazing initiative that provides a unique opportunity to help women understand cancer and how to be prepared when dealing with their health. David [Foster] and I are looking forward to performing a very powerful and moving piece of music to honor cancer survivors and motivate women to be proactive in taking care of themselves," said Newton-John.

Ticket Information: Tickets for "Kaleidoscope" sponsored by sanofi-aventis US at Verizon Center on Monday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. are on sale now. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Verizon Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at 202-397-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 202-661-5065. For more information please visit www.verizoncenter.com.

About Edge Health

"Kaleidoscope" (the newest incarnation of "Frosted Pink") is the creation of Mike Burg, CEO of Edge Health, LLC, who developed the program after twice winning the battle against Hodgkin's disease. Edge Health is a Charlotte, N.C.-based multi-media communications company that develops and delivers critical health-related messaging interwoven into entertainment platforms nationwide. It is a sister company to Edge Entertainment, a marketing and production firm that specializes in entertainment and sports specials for broadcast, and Olympic sport arena tours. The Edge broadcast portfolio includes the "Teen Choice Awards" on FOX, the "Kids Choice Awards" on Nickelodeon, "Ice Wars" on CBS, "Hope Rocks" on FOX, and the "Action Sports Awards" on FOX. For more information, call 704-335-0051 or visit www.edgehealth.com.

* SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2006, National Cancer Institute.

SOURCE Edge Health