June 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Stacey Hartmann, NOCC; Comedy Night co-producer
925-980-9094, stacey@comedybenefit.org
www.comedybenefit.org
(Please contact for hi-res photos of performers.)
Charleen Earley, Comedy Night co-producer
925-383-3072, Charleen@ecis.com
CARLOS ALAZRAQUI TO HEADLINE NOCC COMEDY NIGHT
8th annual show raises funds for ovarian cancer education, awareness
WALNUT CREEK – The 8th annual Comedy Night, a benefit for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, will take place Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Carlos Alazraqui (www.carlosalazraqui.com), currently starring in the Comedy Central series “Reno 911,” is headlining the show.
Reserved seating is $35. Tickets are available at www.dlrca.org, or by calling (925) 943-SHOW. Proceeds benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to public awareness and education about a disease that’s the 5th leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women, according to the American Cancer Society.
Bay Area comedian and writer Charlie B. Earley will take the stage as MC. Other performers for this year’s show include Michael Capozzola (www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/MichaelCapozzola1) and Gayla Johnson (www.gaylajohnson.net).
Earley co-produces Comedy Night along with ovarian cancer survivor Stacey Hartmann. Their first show in 2001, in a rehearsal hall at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, featured comedian/radio personality and author Brian Copeland. In 2002, the show moved to Danville, where it became a hit and had a successful run of sold-out shows for several years at the Village Theatre, raising about $5,000 annually. Two years ago, with the sponsorship support of the John Muir Women’s Health Center, the show moved to the Lesher Center for the Arts.
Stacey and Charleen’s comedy-producing partnership evolved from a professional association that began eight years ago when Stacey was a magazine editor and Charleen was freelance writer and budding stand-up comedian. Within a few months of their first meeting, Stacey was struck at age 39 with a devastating diagnosis: late stage ovarian cancer. At the time of her diagnosis in the summer of 2000, statistics gave Stacey a 20 percent chance of surviving five years. Undaunted, Charleen rallied to her side with funny emails, jokes and good cheer. When Stacey completed her months of grueling treatments, it was Charleen’s idea to put on a cancer benefit comedy show.
Charleen performs her comedy routine and serves as MC for Comedy Night. Charleen’s also responsible for recruiting the other comedians who perform at the benefit. Using her contacts in the Bay Area and national entertainment scene, Charleen has lured the talents of Mark Pitta, Johnny Steele, Brian Copeland, Tommy Drake, Regina Stoops, Larry “Bubbles” Brown and many more to perform for Comedy Night.
Charleen, 44, is a Brentwood-based single mom. While comedy is her passion, Charleen makes her living as communications coordinator for Trilogy in Rio Vista and as a part-time journalism instructor for Deer Valley High School in Antioch. She also freelances for several Bay Area publications.
A Danville mother of three, Stacey works part-time in marketing for the Town of Danville. She’s a volunteer with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition/San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. Stacey serves as the marketing, promotional and overall organizational core of Comedy Night. Now 47, Stacey is grateful to have beaten the odds as she approaches the 8-year survival mark in July 2008. A sense of humor is vital to recover, Stacey says, and the healing power of laughter has helped her deal with setbacks such as an early stage breast cancer diagnosis in 2002 (successfully treated) and the return of ovarian cancer in 2004. She is continues with chemotherapy to treat her ovarian cancer recurrence.
For more information about the show or the NOCC, call 925-974-8189, visit www.comedybenefit.org or send email to info@comedybenefit.org.
About Ovarian Cancer
In women age 35-74, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. An estimated one woman in 58 will develop ovarian cancer during her lifetime. There is no early screening test for ovarian cancer. As a result, about 70 percent of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with advanced disease. The five-year survival rate for these women is 20 to 30 percent, whereas the five-year survival rate for patients with early-stage disease is more than 90 percent.
What are the symptoms?
- Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
- Vague, but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion
- Frequency and/or urgency of urination in absence of an infection
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
- Ongoing unusual fatigue
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits
If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, consult your physician.
About NOCC
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition is a nonprofit organization working to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, promote education about the disease, obtain funding for research, and improve survival rates and quality of life for patients. The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter provides information to newly diagnosed women and makes free presentations to community groups. Contact the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter at 925-974-8189 or visit www.ovarian.org.
About the John Muir Women’s Health Center
The John Muir Women's Health Center is dedicated to providing accessible comprehensive health programs in a caring and supportive environment for women of all ages who are embracing motherhood, maintaining wellness or making life transitions. The beautiful facility has a health and wellness resource library with brochures, books and videos. The John Muir Women's Health Center is located at 1656 N. California Blvd., Suite 100, (across the street from the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts) in Walnut Creek. The telephone number is (925) 941-7900.
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