Pins were flying at Kiki Shepard?s 4th Annual Celebrity Bowling challenge 2006 on July 15th. The event benefited the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc., and the Dorothy H. Shepard Sickle Cell Scholarship Fund, and was hosted by Kiki Shepard and held at the Pinz Entertainment Center in Studio City. An after party followed hosted by the hilarious Michael Coyler. Celebrities young and old participated, including Dorian Wilson (You Got Served), Andre Brown (The Last Dragon), Dawnn Lewis (A Different World), Denzel Whitaker ( All That), Vinnie Pergola (That?s So Raven), Matthew Underwood (Zoey 101), Jillian Clare (Day Of Our Lives), Page Kennedy (Desperate Housewives), Reginald Vel Johnson (Family Matters), Art Evans (Dia Hard 2), Venessa Bell Calloway (All My Children), Brooks and Michael Coyler, Tamar Davis, Paizley Jenkins, and of course, Kiki Shepard (It?s Showtime At The Apollo).
Honored this year was Paizley Jenkins, a brave young woman who went through risky and painful bone marrow transplant surgery with hopes of curing herself of Sicle Cell Disease She has been the poster child for this even since 2003. . Currently, Paizley is free of SCD. Kiki has been involved with the Sickle Cell Disease association of America, (SCDAA) a non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for the disease, for 14 years. The event hopes to raise awareness of the symptoms, effects, and prevention of Sickle Cell Disease.
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can occurs in people of all ethnic origins, however, it is especially common in individuals with ancestors from sub-Saharan Africa, and other areas where malaria is present. A non-contagious blood disease, SCD was discovered in America more than 100 years ago, and has proved to be a lifelong illness. 54,000 babies are born annually with sickle cell trait, and 80,000 Americans are currently living with SCD. There is no cure, but recent progress has been made to improve the quality of life of people living with the disease.
Attendees of the event mingled, bowled, participated in a silent and live auction, and enjoyed music by Chuck Morris. After the bowling Tournament was time for to get the party on. The ?After Party? was at Guy?s North nightclub hosted by funny man, Michael Colyar. Guests had the opportunity to participate in a live 3-D virtual reality web broadcast presented by Peace City, bid on items in the live and silent auctions, tour the ?Walk of Sickle Cell?, and satisfy their appetite in style. A wonderful time was had by all, but most importantly was their support for this worthy cause.
Kiki Shepard?s 4th Annual Celebrity Bowling Challenge was sponsored by American Airlines, Countrywide Home Loans, Bank Of America, Inc., Farmers Insurance, Ameriprize Financial Services, The Carl Lewis Foundation, RisarcConsulting, LLC, Redbone, Inc., Morning Jewel, Inc., Kelly Construction Co. and Yellow Rose, Inc.
