BCEFA's Nothing Like a Dame 2006 Raises $300,000

Nothing Like A Dame 2006, presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, has raised a total of $300,000 for the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of The Actors' Fund of America. The first Nothing Like A Dame event raised $96,000. In its 11 editions, BC/EFA's Nothing Like A Dame has raised over $2.3 million for The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative. Last year's Nothing Like A Dame raised $300,000.

Nothing Like A Dame 2006 included performances from Shoshana Bean, Victoria Clarke, Kate Clinton, Tyne Daly, Bobbie Eakes, Jennifer Ehle, Jill Eikenberry, Felicia Finley, Maria Friedman, Sue Gilad, Rosemary Harris, Ruthie Henshall, Catherine Hurlin and Jessica Ferretti, Heather Ferguson, Lauren Kennedy, Leslie Kritzer, Lauren Molina, Bebe Neuwirth, Phyllis Newman, Jennifer Naimo, Cynthia Nixon, Jill Paice, Erica Piccininni, Angie Schworer, Sara Schmidt, Dorothy Stanley, Brynn Williams, Ruth Williamson, Eliza Winters, Jessica Wright.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fund raising and grant making organization. BC/EFA is the on-going, committed response from the American theater community to an urgent worldwide health crisis. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of this community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since it's founding in 1988, BC/EFA has distributed over $100 million for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV, or HIV-related illnesses.

The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative (PNWHI) was established by The Actors' Fund of America in 1996 with a $10,000 from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) to provide a safety net for women in the entertainment industry who are coping with critical health concerns, or life-threatening illnesses. In addition to producing the annual Nothing Like a Dame benefit, since then BC/EFA has provided over $2.3 million to the Women's Health Initiative and remains the program's largest funder.

The Actors' Fund of America founded in 1882, is widely recognized as the only national human service organization serving the entire entertainment community, including theatre, television, film, music, opera, and dance. The Actors' Fund's broad spectrum of programs – designed to address the unique needs of our community – includes comprehensive social services, financial assistance, supportive and affordable housing, career counseling and skilled nursing and assisted living care.

In 2005, 372 women in the entertainment industry received social services through The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, including 256 mammograms, 312 gynecological exams and over $180,000 in emergency financial assistance. In addition PNWHI helped over 900 women receive medical treatment through The Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora at 475 W. 57th Street. Please visit www.actorsfund.org to learn more about The Actors' Fund's programs.

NOTHING LIKE A DAME 2006 is sponsored by The New York Times, Continental Airlines, the official airlines of BC/EFA Altria Group, The House of Harry Winston, JCPenney, O.P.I., Beaulieu Vineyards, Smirnoff, and John's Pizzeria

For more information, please visit the BC/EFA website at www.BroadwayCares.org