Reality stars of hit television shows such as The Amazing Race, Big Brother, Boy Meets Boy, Real World, and Road Rules have come together to form ‘The Reality Cares Foundation’ (www.realitycares.org) to raise money for people affected by life-threatening diseases such as Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Dr. Will Kirby, the winner of Big Brother 2, serves as the Foundation’s Chief Medical Advisor.
Other reality star advisors and supporters include Brad Holcman of Average Joe, Reichen Lehmkuhl of The Amazing Race, James Getzlaff and Andra Stasko of Boy Meets Boy, Tonya Cooley of Real World, Adam Larson of Road Rules, and Joanne Newborn of Who Wants to Marry My Dad?
‘Our Foundation provides reality show stars with a unique opportunity to use their fame to make a real difference in their communities and to help those in need,’ states Todd Michael Krim, founder of The Reality Cares Foundation. ‘I hope our Foundation not only helps those most in need, but inspires a new spirit of philanthropy among a younger group of television stars and viewers.’
The Reality Cares Foundation kicks-off its first national event on April 22, 2004 with ‘The Real Deal’ Chicago hosted by Tamron Hall of Fox News Chicago. The event will raise money for HIV/AIDS care, prevention and treatment by bringing together some of today’s most popular lesbian and gay reality show stars for an evening of reality show clips, celebrity host interviews and a live audience Q&A. ‘The Real Deal’ Chicago is presented by The Advocate, with funds raised to be distributed by the National AIDS Fund, one of the largest philanthropic AIDS organizations in the country. Information and tickets for ‘The Real Deal’ can be found online at www.realitycares.org/realdealchicago.