ABC Daytime, SOAPnet, & BC/EFA Break Fundraising Record Raising $330,000

On Monday, March 9th, 2009 stars from ABC's "All My Children," "One Life to Live," and "General Hospital" performed at the 5th Annual ABC Daytime and SOAPnet Salutes Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS benefit at Town Hall in New York City. The annual event raised an all time record of $330,000 bringing the cumulative total to nearly $1.5 million dollars since the shows inception in 2005. This announcement was made today by Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group and Tom Viola, executive director, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.

Click here for BroadwayWorld.com's Extensive Photo Coverage of the event by Senior Photographer Linda Lenzi.

The event featured host, Cameron Mathison and headliner Susan Lucci along with their co-stars Claire Egan, Bobbie Eakes, Ricky Paull Goldin, Brianne Moncrief, Cornelius Smith, Jr., Chrishell Stause, Aiden Turner, Darnell Williams, Denise Vasi, Walt Willey and Jacob Young from "All My Children," Kristen Alderson, Bethann Bonner, Kathy Brier, Scott Clifton, Kassie DePaiva, Mark Lawson, Hillary B. Smith, Jason Tam and Brittany Underwood from "One Life to Live," Bradford Anderson, Brandon Barash and Anthony Geary from "General Hospital" with special guest stars from "Billy Elliot, The Musical" David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish.

The evening featured the ABC daytime and SOAPnet stars singing and dancing in a variety of musical numbers. Additional funds were raised via online auctions awarding the highest bidders of three separate packages to act in comedy skits on stage with actors from the three daytime dramas. This year also marked the inaugural edition of SOAP-A-THON, an online fund raising initiative allowing fans to show their support and love for their favorite ABC daytime "Power Couple" by creating their own web page allowing their fellow supporters to make donations to support their favorite couple. The initiative raised over $50,000.

In addition to the performance and online initiatives, ABC Daytime and SOAPnet extended the fan experience on Tuesday, March 9th with the Soap Nation Tour event. The special autograph signing event with cast from "All My Children," "One Life to Life," and "General Hospital" raised an additional $5,000 in support of BC/EFA.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $150 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses. BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors' Fund - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, The Dancers' Resource and three supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards annual grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide. For more information log onto www.broadwaycares.org

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi