Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) and The Lustgarten Foundation today announced the launch of a new series of Public Services Announcements, featuring well-known Cablevision celebrities, as part of curePC, the ongoing public awareness campaign in the fight against pancreatic cancer. The new series includes AMC’s Emmy award-winning “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston, New York Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni, New York Rangers alternate captain Scott Gomez and News 12 anchors Jodi Applegate and Colleen McVey.  The PSAs are designed to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, the country’s fourth leading cause of cancer death, promote the important work of The Lustgarten Foundation and encourage the public to “join the fight” against this deadly disease, while underscoring the unique commitment of Cablevision and its family of assets.

 

The new PSA series includes four 30-second spots and corresponding print ads, which will be released beginning in April and run over the course of 2009.  The spots will air throughout the New York area on Cablevision’s cable television system and at Cablevision’s Clearview Cinemas, as well as on Cablevision’s national networks, AMC and WE tv. The print ads will appear in Cablevision’s print assets, includingNewsday, AM New York and team publications.  The PSA featuring Bryan Cranston began airing this month.

 

§  “Bryan Cranston” – Set in a production studio, the spot emphasizes that no drama comes close to the stark reality of pancreatic cancer – with a just a four percent survival rate, it’s the most lethal cancer there is 

§  “Mike D’Antoni” – In a locker room setting, Coach D’Antoni underscores that we must work as a team to beat pancreatic cancer, which has a survival rate that hasn’t changed in more than 25 years

§  “Scott Gomez” – In a spot that alternates between color and black and white, Scott conveys that teamwork and research are the keys to beating pancreatic cancer, which currently has no early detection, no prevention and no cure

§  “Jodi Applegate/Colleen McVey” – Amidst a television studio, the spot relays the news about pancreatic cancer – that more research is needed, with just two percent of federal cancer funding directed at the country’s fourth leading cause of cancer death

§  Each spot also highlights the important work of The Lustgarten Foundation and the unique support of Cablevision, sounding a call to action for the public to become involved in this urgent fight

 

The new PSA series extends the depth and breadth of the curePC campaign, which already includes Public Service Announcements featuring actors Matthew Modine, William Hurt, and former President Jimmy Carter.

 

“The curePC campaign is playing a key role in elevating the public’s awareness of pancreatic cancer and the critical need for more research funding,” said Kerri Kaplan, executive director, The Lustgarten Foundation. “We appreciate the willingness of these high profile members of the Cablevision family to become so personally involved in supporting our efforts. There’s no question their involvement will allow us to reach a much broader audience more effectively, and hopefully, motivate the public to join our urgent fight.”

Bryan Cranston, Scott Gomez, Mike D’Antoni, Jodi Applegate, Colleen McVey in curePC Campaign/2

 

About the curePC Campaign

The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and entertainment company, together launched curePC, a public awareness campaign in support of the fight against pancreatic cancer, America’s fourth leading cause of cancer death. The campaign is made possible through the support of Cablevision, who has made a multi-year commitment to underwrite all of The Lustgarten Foundation’s administrative costs to ensure that 100 percent of every dollar donated to the Foundation will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.  Cablevision also has committed to using its high-profile media and entertainment assets – which include everything from its cable television systems, print publications and Web sites to movie theatres and entertainment venues – to ensure that more people know about pancreatic cancer and The Lustgarten Foundation’s efforts in the fight against this deadly disease.  Visit www.curePC.org to learn more.

 

About The Lustgarten Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is swift and silent, often undetected until it’s too late. More than 34,000 people die from it each year. Of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, less than four percent survive five years and most with advanced cancer die within a year. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

 

The Lustgarten Foundation, based in Bethpage, New York, is America’s largest private foundation working solely on pancreatic cancer research. Cablevision underwrites 100% of the Foundation’s administrative costs on a multi-year basis so that all funding goes directly to supporting scientific research, facilitating dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and raising public awareness of the disease. The Foundation today provides critical support in the search for better diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic cancer, and to date has provided $20 million to more than 110 research projects at some of the world’s most prestigious medical and research centers.  This year the Foundation will provide nearly $4 million for research, almost double its grant total for 2008, largely due to Cablevision’s financial support. To learn more, visitwww.lustgarten.org.

 

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The New York Knickerbockers and New York Rangers will each host a “Garden of Dreams Night” to raise awareness for the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Garden of Dreams is a non-profit organization that works closely with all areas of Madison Square Garden, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Media, MSG Entertainment, and Fuse, to “make dreams come true for kids in crisis.”

 

The week begins Sunday, March 22, as the Rangers host the Ottawa Senators. Children from Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley and Starlight Foundation will attend pregame warm-ups and watch the game from a catered suite. One child from Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley will sing the national anthem and another child, from Make-A-Wish Connecticut, will participate in a ceremonial puck drop prior to the game. A child from Make-A-Wish New Jersey will have the opportunity to accompany the game organist on guitar to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. Children from Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and Starlight Foundation will participate in a Rangers “high-five line” as players enter the ice for warm-ups.

Garden of Dreams week will continue on Wednesday, March 25 at the Knicks vs. Los Angeles Clippers game when children from Ronald McDonald House, Life Center and Children’s Village will attend pregame warm-ups and the game. One child from Ronald McDonald House will serve as an honorary Knicks City Dancer for the night. A second child from Make-A-Wish Foundation Metro will participate in a ceremonial ball tip prior to the game at Madison Square Garden and children from Ronald McDonald and Children’s Village will receive the chance of a lifetime when they participate in a Knicks “high-five line” during player introductions. The 7th Avenue Squad, the Garden’s newest entertainment team, will feature a special member from Children’s Village to help energize the arena. In addition, all Knicks players will wear Garden of Dreams t-shirts during pregame warm-ups.

 

WHO:               Children and Representatives from Garden of Dreams Partner Organizations       

John Starks, Knicks Legend and Alumni Relations Advisor

                        Cal Ramsey, Knicks Director, Special Projects and Community Relations

                        Rod Gilbert, Rangers Legend and Director, Special Projects and Community Relations Representative

Adam Graves, Rangers Legend and representative of Hockey and Business Operations

                                   

WHAT:              Garden of Dreams Awareness Week

                       

WHERE:           Madison Square Garden

 

WHEN:             Sunday, March 22, 2009 – 7:00 p.m. – New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. – New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Clippers

 

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The New York Knicks invite military officials to Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz at 3:00 p.m. in honor of their brave service to our country. The Knicks will host “Military Appreciation Day,” which will include a special pre-game performance of “God Bless America,” performed by Country Music Channel’s Nashville Star, Fireman Tommy Stanley. There will also be an on-court halftime presentation by the Naval Academy’s silent drill team, The Jolly Rogers. The afternoon will be capped by a special tribute from NAVYForMoms.com.

 

The Knicks are offering special ticket packages on the nyknicks.com website in honor of “Military Appreciation Night.” Fans can log on to the Knicks website for special terms and conditions and must use the code “USA” in order to be eligible for these discounted tickets.

 

 

Knicks 2008-09 ticket plans are now available, including Season Subscriptions starting as low as $25 per game. For more information call (877) NYK-HOOP or long on to nyknicks.com

 

The NBA’s New York Knickerbockers basketball team, in its 63rd year of operation, is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Madison Square Garden, L.P. is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation and includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the legendary Chicago Theatre, as well as an exclusive co-booking agreement with the venerable Wang Theatre in Boston, and which manages wholly-owned live entertainment properties including the Radio City Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular; MSG Media, which is comprised of television networks MSG and MSG Plus, MSG Interactive, which oversees all company wireless and online initiatives, and Fuse, the only national music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

 

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