Emmestyle

Minnesota Cancer Survivor To Receive Cinderella-Like New York Prom Makeover; Survivors Saranne Rothberg & Supermodel Emme, Cast Of Xanadu, Plus Fashion Giants Help Teen Realize Her Dream

Donations Pour In For Teen's April 16th NY Experience We hope that Mandi's courage inspires other kids living with illnesses to find mentors and ask for help so they too can live their dreams.

New York (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 -- Mandi Alto of Virginia, MN has overcome a lot of obstacles in her young life: a rare childhood cancer, kidney stones, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and a blood clotting disorder. Adding to the 18-year-old high school senior's troubles: enjoying that one special night all girls dream about: her high school prom.

ComedyCures Foundation Mandi's family finances have been depleted due to the cost of her cancer treatments. Then there is the all important dress - today's skimpy prom styles won't flatter the plus size youth. But like Cinderella, Mandi has found her Fairy Godmother here in the metropolitan area. And Fairy Godmothers have helpers.

Thanks to Mandi's penpal and fellow cancer survivor Saranne Rothberg, founder of the ComedyCures Foundation www.comedycures.org, Mandi will be flown into Manhattan on Wednesday, April 16 for a whirlwind day in which she will receive a head-to-toe prom makeover any princess would envy.

NWA WorldVacations is donating round-trip airfare to fly Mandi and her stepmother, Chris Alto, from Duluth to LaGuardia as well as accommodations for the Altos during their stay in NY. They will be ushered from the airport and around town by Six Stars Limo of New York as her day unfolds. Fashion designer Kathlin Argiro has designed and will fit Mandi's dress, Macy's Herald Square is donating a generous shopping spree for all Prom accessories, Maybelline of New York is gifting a year's supply of makeup, celebrity makeup artist John Nelson and OC 61's colorist Laurie Daniel and stylist Dayler Chagas form her beauty team.

Ann Shoket, editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine, has joined Mandi's welcoming committee. The Alto makeover team also includes Edite stylist Rachel Paletsky and Samantha Prag of Tim Gunns' Guide to Style.

The fashion portion of Mandi's day culminates in Argiro's studio where local teen girls will greet Mandi, Rothberg and Rothberg's daughter, Lauriel. North Jersey plus size supermodel and fellow cancer survivor Emme will share beauty secrets and coach Mandi for her New York fashion photo shoot by Raquel Lauren.

And no first-time trip to the Big Apple would be complete without a Broadway show. A delicious dinner will be catered by Broadway's exquisite Thalia Restaurant before Mandi heads to see Xanadu, whose cast has planned a great night out including VIP Xanadu tickets, a cast meet-and-greet, and show gifts and souvenirs.

Not that she's likely to forget this experience, but Mandi's entire day in New York will be captured on film by Skyview cameraman David Stollak with DMJ digital field producer David Jasse and photographer Kristy Leibowitz documenting Mandi's experiences.

Adding to this magical day: Mandi and Rothberg have never met.

Mandi Alto reached out to fellow cancer survivor Saranne Rothberg, founder of the ComedyCures Foundation, and her daughter, Lauriel, for advice recently as she had done in 2004 when then 14-year-old Mandi saw the pair on television sharing their joy-filled strategies for surviving cancer as a family. Mandi wanted to learn Saranne's tips and with the Altos' permission, Mandi and Saranne have been e-mail pals ever since.

Learning of Mandi's prom dress dilemma, Saranne and Lauriel (age 15) immediately jumped into action and started reaching out for donations to make Mandi's big night dreams come true. As New Yorkers usually do, they came through in a big way.

"The outpouring of support has been tremendous," said Rothberg. "We hope that Mandi's courage inspires other kids living with illnesses to find mentors and ask for help so they too can live their dreams."

Mandi's whirlwind day will of course end before the clock strikes twelve: she'll be whisked back to the airport to return to Duluth with her new designer prom dress, lots of swag, and lifelong memories.

And yes, Mandi has a date for her prom.

MEDIA CONTACT: Patti Roiz 888-300-3990 201-906-6693 roiz.patricia @ gmail.com SaranneR @ ComedyCures.org

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Salon Blu really stepped up and made donations toward the National Eating Disorders Association for one entire day...check out the gang that Toby and I got to hang out with! Thank you Salon Blu!

I had a chance to speak about Do Something recently for a feature at the Non Profit Shopping Mall check them out!

There are few things in life that make you feel as great like laughter. I had the pleasure of attending a fun and laughter filled giggle fest for a The Three Tomatoes event benefiting Comedy Cures.

My super cool and incredibly inspiring girlfriend Saranne Rothberg, is one brilliant ray or light and the founder of the Comeday Cures Foundation. I love that she puts her daughter first in all that she does and being her friend is nothing short of extraordinary. I wish more single entertainment moms could take a page from her book!

Right from her site:

The ComedyCures Foundation tickles funny bones! We bring joy, laughter, and therapeutic humor programs to kids and grown-ups living with illness depression, trauma and disabilities. Through large & small scale therapeutic comedy programs, we entertain and educate patients, families and caregivers about the power of a comic perspective and the positive benefits of laughter on the body, mind, and spirit. "Yes, laughter is great medicine!" Love, laughter and hope are communicated in every aspect of our unique programs.

Saranne Rothberg is a woman with a simple goal—to help you find joy in your journey. Saranne launched The ComedyCures Foundation, a 501(c)3 human service organization, from her chemo chair in 1999 as an outgrowth of her personal experience with the healing power of a comic perspective. She and her daughter discovered that therapeutic comedy served as a great family coping strategy as they dealt with Saranne’s early stage IV cancer diagnosis.

Today, Saranne is cancer-free and has taken ComedyCures’ life-affirming work to ill patients and families throughout the country. Her ground-breaking digital ComedyCures' PSA campaign launched daily this fall on the most listened to radio station in the country. This "ComedyCures LaughingLunch Break" at 12:35pm is impacting millions of people a month with hilarious performances by America's funniest comics. In addition, Saranne helped over 160,000 people at more than 260 live events rediscover their funny bones through her motivational, inspirational, laughter-rich performances and unique therapeutic productions. Oprah features Saranne as her "Hero" in her book, "Live Your Best Life".

(www.comedycures.org) (www.thethreetomatoes.com)

Oh what a night! Malaak Compton Rock hosted an amazing evening that raised funds for New York City's children that assists, supports and helps prevent domestic abuse and violence. Timothy White, photographer extraordinaire took a series of photographs of Champions for Children highlighting the Safe Horizon scarf that you will find in magazines in the coming months.

I've included mine for you to see.

Please visit www.safehorizon.org to find out more about this proactive and very needed organization!