31st Annual Dinner of Champions Raises $3.7 Million for MS Research

31st Annual Dinner of Champions Raises $3.7 Million for MS Research

Concert at the Kodak Theater Honors National MS Society Southern California Chapter Trustees Tom and Madeleine Sherak and Author and Journalist Richard M. Cohen

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Revolution Studios partner Tom Sherak and his wife Madeleine were honored at the 31st annual Dinner of Champions "Concert at the Kodak." The gala event took place on Friday, September 16th, 2005 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. The event raised $2.7 million that will aid in the research, programs and services that the National MS Society supports throughout the year. In addition, the Skirball Center gave a grant of $1 million to be used to fund a chair at UCLA for MS research. New York Times best selling author and journalist Richard M. Cohen was presented with the Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life Award by his wife, television personality Meredith Vieira. Cohen, an award-winning television journalist and author of "Blindsided: Lifting a Life Above Illness," has been living with MS for more than 30 years.

Revolution Studios founder Joe Roth presented to Tom and Madeleine Sherak. Performing at the dinner were cast members from the upcoming film adaptation of the musical Rent and Grammy and Academy Award winning composer John Williams, who directed an 84-piece orchestra. Byron Allen served as master of ceremonies for the 13th year. Special guests attending included Rosario Dawson, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Tracie Thoms, Marlon Wayans, Kevin James, Henry Winkler, D.B. Sweeney, Bill Pullman, David Lander, Marc Singer, Alan Rosenberg, Jamie Vanderbilt, Jason Lewis, Don Diamont, Daniel McVicar, Chris Columbus, Paul Thomas Anderson, Steve Carr, Jon Turtletaub, Jan de Bont, Joe Roth, Amy Pascal, Jeff Blake, Alan Horn, Dick Cook, Rob Moore, Bill Mechanic, Laura Ziskin, Bob Teitel, Peter Bart and Bob Dowling.

Toy Box Entertainment's Roland Mesa served as Dinner Chairman and Joe Roth served as Honorary Dinner Chairman. Previous honorees for their generous support of the National MS Society have included such distinguished individuals as Steven Hilton, Peter Chernin, Joe Roth, Bill Mechanic, Amy Pascal, Jim Gianopulos, Sir Howard Stringer, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, and Tom Rothman. Previous recipients of the Spirit of Life Award include Annette Funicello, Richard Pryor, Alan Osmond and David Lander, Michael Kamen and Teri Garr.

The Dinner of Champions is one of the most highly visible fund raising events in Los Angeles, one that has been overwhelmingly embraced by the entertainment industry. Each year, the dinner honors a philanthropist who has made a significant contribution to the fight against multiple sclerosis. Because of fund raising events such as the Dinner of Champions, the National MS Society is able to support more MS research and offer more services for people with MS than any other MS organization in the world. This year the Society will invest over $35 million to support MS research, and more than $5 million is currently in place locally at UCLA and the Brentwood Biomedical Research Center. Proceeds from the Dinner also support vital programs for people who have MS and their families.

For additional information about the "Dinner of Champions," please call Pamela Thompson, The National MS Society, Southern California Chapter, at 310-479-4456. For press inquiries call Marni Deckter, The National MS Society, Southern California Chapter, at 310-479-4456, Sean Dudas, Revolution Studios, at 310-255-7254, or Stuart Herriott, Revolution Studios, at 310-255- 7269. Donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Southern California Chapter, 2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064.

Source: Revolution Studios

CONTACT: Sean Dudas, +1-310-255-7254, or Stuart Herriott, +1-310-255-7269, both of Revolution Studios; or Marni Deckter of The National MS Society, Southern California Chapter, +1-310-479-4456

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