LORNA'S PINK PARTY Raises $120,000 for Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and Philomena McAndrew Fund

Lorna's Pink Party, the first of two benefit nights hosted by entertainment legend Lorna Luft and featuring her special guest Liza Minnelli, played to a sold-out crowd at New York City's Birdland last evening. Along with a second appearance scheduled for October 21st, both evenings combined raised total of $120,000 to support the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative and the Philomena McAndrew Fund.

The intimate evening of cabaret, hosted by stage, film and television actress, best-selling author, recording artist and Emmy nominated producer Lorna Luft, featured appearances by Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winning performer Liza Minnelli, and special guests Nick Adams, Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Jim Caruso, Kelly King, Norm Lewis, Phyllis Newman and Marcia Strassman.Brian Stokes Mitchell is scheduled to appear at the October 21st performance.

Ms. Luft, who went public with her recent battle against breast cancer, celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Ms. Minnelli and guests, many of them also cancer survivors, with the message "We made it and you will too!"

"This event means the world to me," said Luft. "I'm so grateful to be feeling so well and performing again. These two Birdland nights are the perfect opportunity for me to gather some friends-including my sister-to raise money to help two essential organizations."

Tony winning actress (and Actors Fund Trustee) Phyllis Newman, announced the $120,000 total early in the evening, noting that The Actors Fund's "Nothing Like a Dame" event is now in its 18th year. "I'm thrilled that this year's Nothing Like a Dame event features the wonderful Lorna Luft hosting this slew of fantastically talented friends. What a great couple of nights, all in support of two great organizations: The Actors Fund and Tower Cancer Research Foundation."

Nationally renowned medical oncologist (and Tower Cancer Research Foundation Board member) Dr. Philomena McAndrew also in attendance, added, "Breast cancer continues to plague women in epic proportions. It is so wonderful that my patient, Lorna Luft, in gratitude to the care she received, is 'giving back' to help other women who suffer from this disease by donating proceeds from both performances to the Dr. Philomena McAndrew fund at Tower Cancer Research Foundation."