Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX) hosted the 15th annual Holiday Rock & Roll Bash to benefit The Lustgarten Foundation, the nation's largest private nonprofit funder of pancreatic cancer research. Held at TAO Downtown in New York City, the event raised more than $2 million for the second consecutive year. Due to the support of Cablevision, 100 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.
DJ Questlove entertained the crowd at The Lustgarten Foundation's 15th annual Holiday Rock & Roll Bash where every dollar of the more than $2 million raised goes directly to pancreatic cancer research, due to Cablevision's support. Hosted by Cablevision, The Madison Square Garden Company and AMC Networks, the event was held on December 16 at TAO Downtown in New York City.
Entertainment for the event included a special performance by DJ Questlove, popular drummer of The Roots (house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), along with an exclusive Radio City Christmas Spectacular performance by the world-famous Rockettes. More than 1,000 guests attended this year's Bash.
"Marking its 15th anniversary this year, the Holiday Rock & Roll Bash is a beloved annual tradition that unites us all for an important cause: to beat pancreatic cancer," said Kerri Kaplan, executive director and chief operating officer of The Lustgarten Foundation. "Since it was created, the Bash has raised $21 million for research, and we are so grateful to our many generous supporters. As a result of Cablevision's financial support, all of the money raised for the Bash goes directly to research to develop an early detection test and more effective treatments so that patients can live longer lives."
During the program, James Dolan, chief executive of Cablevision and executive chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company, welcomed guests, along with Andrew and Jessica Lustgarten, the children of Marc Lustgarten, who paid homage to their father's legacy. James Dolan and Cablevision Chairman Charles Dolan helped establish The Lustgarten Foundation in 1998 in honor of Mr. Lustgarten, who served as the former vice chairman of Cablevision and chairman of Madison Square Garden before he died from pancreatic cancer. Cablevision has worked closely with the Foundation throughout its history in support of its mission to advance pancreatic cancer research. That support includes underwriting the Foundation's administrative expenses and partnering with the Foundation for the curePC public awareness campaign.
Pancreatic cancer is swift and silent, often undetected until it is too late. The overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is seven percent and most with advanced cancer die within a year. There are no early detection tests, no effective long-term treatments and, unless the cancer is surgically removed in its earliest stages, no cure. It is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
Since its inception, The Lustgarten Foundation has contributed more than $110 million toward pancreatic cancer research. Recent research progress funded by the Foundation includes international clinical trials with patients to develop a routine early detection test, as well as trials to identify new drug combinations and immunotherapies that would more effectively treat the disease. In addition, at The Lustgarten Foundation's Pancreatic Cancer Research Lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Dr. David Tuveson, research director of The Lustgarten Foundation, has developed a new human culture system for pancreatic cancer that offers a path to personalized treatment approaches in the future.
Visit curePC.org to learn more about The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision's fight to defeat pancreatic cancer.
About The Lustgarten Foundation
The Lustgarten Foundation is America's largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Based in Bethpage, New York, the Foundation supports research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, facilitates dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and educates the public about the disease through awareness campaigns and fundraising events. The Foundation has provided millions of research dollars and assembled the best scientific minds with the hope that one day, a cure can be found. Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and telecommunications company, underwrites The Lustgarten Foundation's administrative costs, so 100 percent of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision are also partners in the award-winning curePC public awareness campaign in support of the fight against pancreatic cancer. For additional information, please visit www.curePC.org.
About Cablevision Systems Corporation
Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is a leading media and telecommunications company, serving millions of households and businesses throughout the greater New York area. Providing quality products that keep customers connected, Cablevision offers Optimum-branded digital cable television, high-speed Internet and voice services as well as Optimum WiFi, the nation's most robust WiFi network. Cablevision's Lightpath subsidiary is a premier provider of integrated business communications solutions for larger companies. Through its local media and programming properties – News 12 Networks and Newsday Media Group – Cablevision also delivers news and information created specifically for the communities it serves. Additional information about Cablevision is available at www.cablevision.com .
