Alta Bates Summit Foundation Forges Unprecedented Media Alliances for the
First Annual Applause for the Cause Benefit Concert
Proceeds to Benefit The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center

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Dionne Warwick, above, will make a very special concert appearance June 6, 2009, in Oakland, to benefit the new Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland.

The legendary Sinbad will co-headline this amazing live charity concert event.

June 1, 2009, Oakland, California – In difficult economic times, charitable foundations need to find new ways to generate funds, and for-profit businesses need new and interesting ways to promote their services in a day-and-age when cause-related marketing is clearly a win-win proposition.   Alta Bates Summit Foundation, the fundraising arm of the prestigious Alta Bates Summit Foundation in Berkeley and Oakland, California, has forged unprecedented media alliances with Comcast, KBLX-FM 102.9, Diablo Magazine , and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to promote the first annual Applause for the Cause Charity Concert featuring Dionne Warwick and Sinbad , June 6, 2009 at the Oakland Convention Center.

The 2009 Applause for the Cause concert, which will benefit the new Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, joins an ever-growing list of unique and innovative charity fundraising event experiences sponsored by the Alta Bates Summit Foundation.   Such events allow participants to indulge in top-tier music and comedy entertainment, dancing, live auctions, and the wonderful company of old and new friends throughout the East Bay community while doing a good turn.

According to Steve Lundin, president of the Alta Bates Summit Foundation , “These days, some people may be hesitant to give a donation to the hospital, or to breast cancer, but many would find the opportunity to see Dionne Warwick and Sinbad as a great way to spend a Saturday night.  We're pleased to have attracted a significant number of new donations through the development of these events.   The fact that the ticket price goes to support a good cause raises money, our visibility, and the donor/audience member gets a tangible benefit for their dollar spent.”

In lieu of cash, Alta Bates Summit Foundation receives the benefit of what these media giants do best: Get The Word Out.   These advertising programs would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and Comcast alone will put the Applause for the Cause commercial in front of millions of Bay Area residents over the four weeks.   KBLX FM Radio reaches a massive and diverse audience, and Diablo Magazine caters to a massive affluent east bay audience.   BART will promote the event through their scrolling signs in every one of their 43 stations in 4 counties, reaching 374,949 weekly passengers, as well as offer ticket giveaway promotions to their 50,000-member newsletter. 

Lundin continues, “For the non-profit industry, this is an unusually aggressive broad media sponsorship program that will attract a very large audience and raise Foundation awareness.”

The new, state-of-the-art Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center opened in March 2008, in Oakland, California, and was built largely through the generosity of donors from the community.   It is staffed by breast health specialists devoted to reducing a woman's risk of breast cancer by expediting delivery of mammography and other test results, as well as providing state-of-the-art diagnosis and support services.   The Center's objective is to provide unrestricted access to the best medical care for all women.

Individuals and corporations who wish to participate and support the Applause for the Cause Dionne Warwick and Sinbad event through sponsorships will be acknowledged on Comcast TV spots, on KBLX promotional announcements, in newspaper ads, and in the event program and other materials.   (For sponsorship info, please download the information HERE).   Tickets are available through www.tix.com at $65.00 for general admission and $90 for preferred general admission seating.   A limited number of VIP tickets are $275.00 each and include pre-concert VIP reception, VIP table seating closest to the stage with adult beverage included and can be ordered by phone through the Alta Bates Summit Foundation main office by calling 510-204-1667.

Proceeds from the 2009 Applause for the Cause event will benefit the ongoing needs of the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center, including:

• The Nurse Navigator Program that provides cultural and linguistic assistance to patients and families who speak limited English, support and guidance to all patients as they undergo diagnosis and treatment, and outreach and education about breast health, screening and early detection to underserved communities.
• Weekly patient education sessions and materials.
• Monthly community education sessions at the Center, particularly for women in the East Bay at high risk for breast cancer.
• Training of volunteers for the Center's Compass Program.   These volunteers are breast cancer survivors who mentor new patients and provide support, sympathy and hope.

The First Annual Applause for the Cause Charity Concert featuring Dionne Warwick and Sinbad

• Where:          The Oakland Convention Center, 463 11th Street, Oakland, CA 94607 (www.oaklandcvb.com)
• When:           Saturday, June 6, 2009
• Time:             Doors: 6:15 p.m.   Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
• Price:             General Admission: $65.00 - Preferred General Admission: $90.00 - VIP Seating: $275.00

To Order Tickets:          

• General Admission and Preferred General Admission Seating – www.tix.com
• VIP Tickets can be ordered by phone through the Alta Bates Summit Foundation main office by calling 510-204-1667. Address: 2855 Telegraph Ave., Suite 601, Berkeley, CA 94705