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Re: Unusual alliance brings harmony to cancer survivors Contact: Betsy Mullen, Founder, President/CEO, WIN Against Breast Cancer Direct line: (619) 233-8828. Email her at betsy@winabc.org. For Immediate ReleaseA Hard Day’s Night in Cancer Fight San Diego, CA, January 29, 2004 www.fab40.us - The long and winding road, to finding a cure for breast cancer, gets shorter with every song performed by local Beatles’ tribute band, Fab40. With an attitude of “a little bit of education and a whole bunch of fun,” cancer survivor, Betsy Mullen has choreographed an unusual alliance to teach Southern California about this devastating disease. As the anniversary of the Beatles’ very first landing in America nears, Mullen was contacted by a local businessman and Beatles enthusiast, George Stamm with a novel concept. He wanted to put his own musical talents and that of three other musicians to work, fighting a disease that had struck his family and those of his friends, way too hard. One year after former Beatle, George Harrison lost a courageous battle to cancer and four years after breast cancer claimed the life of Paul McCartney’s wife, Linda, George Stamm began his own crusade against this loathsome disease from his home in Carlsbad. Stamm’s wife, Diana, had been diagnosed with breast cancer and George was determined to do something about it. So he took something he loved, to fight something he hated, and came up with a solution called Fab40, a Beatles’ tribute band. After contacting Betsy Mullen, president/CEO and Founder of Women’s Information Network Against Breast Cancer (WIN/ABC), a San Diego based national non-profit organization, an alliance was formed that would both entertain and educate. Together WIN Against Cancer and Fab40’s mission is to raise public awareness of breast cancer and show people what they can do to stop it or fight it. Mullen says, “If there’s an ounce of possibility that music has healing power, then we’ve put together a ton of opportunity for anyone touched by breast cancer.” When George approached his musical connections with his idea he was amazed to find how cancer had impacted the lives of his future stage partners. Every one of them had been directly touched by cancer and all of them were excited about fighting back. Russ Noel, on stage as Ringo Starr is a cancer survivor himself. Fred Shaffer, performing as George Harrison, has a son who is a cancer survivor. Jen Orris, as Paul McCartney, lost both parents to cancer, and of course, George Stamm, performing as the late John Lennon is helping his wife, Diana, who also helps this alliance through her own filmmaking production company. With a little help from his friends and a whole lot of talent and heart, Stamm formed Fab40 and a show called, “Return to Shea,” a complete concert re-enactment of the Shea Stadium concert of the Beatles of 1965. The performance includes full dress, identical stage equipment, and the unforgettable harmonies that changed rock and roll forever. Fab40 performs most of the songs from the “Help” and “Hard Day’s Night” albums during their performance. Yet, Fab40 offered to do more than donate net proceeds to WIN Against Breast Cancer. Fab40 committed to entertaining its audiences while providing a unique vehicle for educating the audience. Stamm said, “I feel like we’ve been working eight days a week to perfect our Beatles’ sound and I love it!” The band recently performed to a sell-out crowd at the California Center for the Arts Escondido, and is slated for performances at the Spreckels Theatre in San Diego and other locations throughout Southern California. Betsy Mullen of WIN Against Breast Cancer summed it up by saying, “Return to Shea is more than a Beatles tribute concert and evening of great music, British humor, and 60’s style, it’s an evening of honoring those who have fought the battle against breast cancer and lost as well as those who intend to fight the battle and win. The concert is also a tribute to all who have been impacted by the disease and to all those working with us to raise cancer awareness in our communities.” Fab40’s next show is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2004 at 8:00 PM at Spreckels Theatre in San Diego, nearly 40 years to the day that the Beatles landed in America and 11 years since Betsy Mullen began and won her own battle with breast cancer. Tickets can be purchased at the Spreckels Theatre box office (619-235-9500) and at Ticketmaster (619-220-8497); www.ticketmaster.com). WIN Against Breast Cancer’s mission is to help those who need it most by increasing public awareness about breast cancer and ensuring that individuals from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds receive rapid access to quality health care and state-of-the-art support, education and information about the disease. ### Contact: Betsy Mullen, Founder, President /CEO, WIN Against Breast Cancer Direct line: (619) 233-8828. Email her at betsy@winabc.org; Website: www.winabc.org Copywriting donated by Steve Dahl & Associates, Inc. www.creativewiz.com Last Updated: 02/03/2004 |
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