LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - February 16, 2011) - Living Legend Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, Hollywood icon Carrie Fisher, appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday, talking about mental health. Thalians President Debbie Reynolds and Board Chair Ruta Lee, along with event chairs Kira & Bob Lorsch, are currently preparing for the upcoming Thalians 55th Gala at the Playboy Mansion, Saturday, April 30, 2011.
The Thalians, founded 55 years ago, has raised over $30 million in support of mental health programs. This year's gala honors Hugh M. Hefner, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, for a lifetime of philanthropy. Proceeds benefit Operation Mend, a unique partnership between Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas and the Veterans Administration of the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, committed to Healing America's Returning Soldiers Body, Mind and Spirit.
Award-winning producer Gilbert Adler (Valkyrie, Superman Returns, Constantine) will produce the live show featuring a star-studded roster of entertainers. For more information, visit www.rhlgroup.com/thalians.
About The Thalians
The Thalians, led by President Debbie Reynolds and Board Chair Ruta Lee, have raised over $30 million in support of Mental Health programs for pediatrics through geriatrics for diseases including: Autism, Alzheimer's, Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Phobias, Post Traumatic Stress, Depression and Addictions. The annual Gala selects its honorees for their contributions to the entertainment industry and their philanthropic endeavors. The Mr./Ms. Wonderful award was personally created and designed for The Thalians by Walt Disney himself and has become a most sought after celebrity award.
Past honorees of The Thalians have included Shirley MacLaine, Gene Kelly, Ann-Margret, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Debbie Reynolds, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Angela Lansbury, James Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Kenny Rogers, Sally Field, Mary Tyler Moore, Burt Bacharach, Sir Roger Moore and Clint Eastwood. The Thalians cause is Mental Illness, which affects more people than all other diseases combined. In an effort to give where it is needed most, our focus this year is the well-being of America's Wounded Warriors. Learn more at http://www.thethalians.org.
About Operation Mend
Operation Mend is a unique partnership between Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas and the Veterans Administration of the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. It has been established to help treat U.S. military personnel wounded during service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Vietnam veteran, Timothy A. Miller, M.D., Professor and Chief Surgeon of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, leads the surgeries. The Thalians are proud to present him with a special Medical Award at the Gala for his skill and dedication. This year's Gala proceeds benefit the mental health division of Operation Mend. Visit http://operationmend.ucla.edu for more information.
Contact Information:
Contacts:
Michael Selsman
Public Communications Co.
(310) 553-5732
ms@publiccommunications.biz