FM World Charities Uses Music & Media To Save Lives

    NEW YORK, NY, March 10, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- This Wednesday, March 10th at 7:30PM FM World Charities, a not-for-profit 'rock & roll' charity dedicated to global health care initiatives, is staging a major event at New York's music landmark, Webster Hall. "FM Down Under", hosted by comedian Chuck Nice (VH1's "Best Week Ever"), will feature Australian sounds from rockers The Kin and the exciting new group, Tamarama (Universal/Motown). Opening the event will be New York's own Beatle-esque Mister Gio. Amidst great music, VIP guests, autographed guitar raffles and FMÕs special brand of music meets awareness, lies a very positive message.

FM World Charities, founded by noted record producer Eric Gast, has championed numerous health care initiatives since its inception. FM's involvement with the Warped Tour in 2008 shed light on a serious health concern that is often overlooked: skin cancer. Together with musician Paige Wood, FM went on the tour in a 65 foot bus unveiling a revolutionary skin cancer screening technology, uniting medical students with medical professionals on the web. The achievements of this approach were amazing. The results: FM screened over 6,500 youth in 46 cities throughout the US and Canada, and 700 needed follow-up. According to Gast, "People tried to discourage us saying kids are not going to show up for health screenings on rock tours - or any where else for that matter but we proved them wrong. By reaching out to kids at a common level as musicians and peers rather than doctors in lab coats with scary melanoma pictures on the wall, we won them over." Gast remarked, "As we get older we tend to see doctors on a more regular basis, but youth often don't see physicians except in acute situations, and melanoma is 99% treatable if caught in the early stages and that's what makes this initiative so very important."

Australia has the highest skin cancer rate in the world. Approximately 2 out 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.

FM's successful screening initiative will now take aim next on the land down under. Australia has many major music tours this Summer. FM plans on having a presence on as many tours throughout the world as possible with all of its health care initiatives. Gast stated "We are only limited by our infrastructure and sponsor funding, and we hope to grow exponentially over the coming years. We are honored to be working with The Kin in Australia, not only are they a phenomenal band, but they are very altruistic and spiritual, traits that are synonymous with FM."

Isaac Koren and Thorry Koren, brothers who comprise the Kin, stated: "We are excited to help bring this new screening method back to our 'sunburnt country'. Growing up on Aussie beaches ourselves, we can appreciate the help in early detection and prevention of skin cancer. Eric and his team at FM are brilliant at finding new ways to make charity benefit everyone involved, bringing those benefits to people that are otherwise hard to reach." Jay Lyon of Tamarama added "Growing up in Australia skin cancer is a very real and serious problem. Young people and adults need to be aware of the severe dangers of skin cancer and be wise when out in the sun for long periods ... We are proud to be part of this cause with FM charities and their extensive work around the world."

In a relatively short period of time FM World Charities has garnered the respect of numerous celebrities, music icons, and industry leaders from all corners of the world. FM has received donations such as signed guitars and show tickets from influential artists like Cheap Trick, Roseanne Cash, Depeche Mode and Coldplay, to name a few. "FM's success stems from a passionate collaboration between distinguished individuals in the fields of music & entertainment, the medical profession and the business world", said Board Member Anthony A. LoPresti, a noted entertainment and civil rights attorney. Board Member Stephanie Whittier, LMT, CST, creator of the innovative wellness product t-spheres, stated "After many years of helping musicians stay healthy, it's great to work side by side with them in a health based charity." FM's Medical Director Dr. Matthew R. Kaufman, a distinguished plastic & reconstructive surgeon known for his advances in tissue engineering research, added "FM World Charities is an unbelievable organization dedicated to health care initiatives around the globe. As a surgeon, I am aware of many of the domestic and international health care deficiencies that exist, and through the charity we are able to create opportunities to address some core problems, improving the health and well-being of thousands."

FM is working toward many initiatives beyond skin cancer prevention, including youth mentoring, a primary health care clinic in Costa Rica, and several other initiatives.

Highlights of FM Down Under include the raffling of a beautiful semi-hollow body Waterstone guitar signed by musician extraordinaire Roseanne Cash. A Waterstone bass guitar will be raffled as well on the live streaming web feed of the event which can be viewed at: http://www.fmworldcharities.org. Incredibly, these instruments were designed by FM Board Member and neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Singer. Says Eric Gast, "Yes, you heard me correctly, a brain surgeon that designs instruments!"

Tickets are available online at www.fmworldcharities.org/events. Regular admission tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. VIP tickets are $50 and include special VIP seating at Webster Hall, gift bags and free music downloads. Proceeds from 'FM Down Under' will go towards FM's medical initiatives in Australia.

Make room Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, there's a new charity in town with a rock & roll edge to it.

FM World Charities: http://www.fmworldcharities.org | The Kin: http://www.thekin.com

FM World Charities is a dedicated group of physicians, media personalities and respected industry representatives, joined together to use their connections and resources to address the needs of a changing world.

FM is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization devoted to promoting public health and improving the quality of life in underserved communities throughout the world. FM aims to increase awareness of issues pertaining to public health and wellness while also providing basic primary care to those without access to healthcare. Having roots in an established record label with charity at its core, FM World enlists celebrities and media personalities to accomplish its goals and projects.

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