Fighting Breast Cancer One Celebrity at a Time

Pairing celebrities and charity is nothing new. Just last week, the hit television series American Idol raised over $30 million with its "Idol Gives Back" special. There's nothing mysterious about the public's fascination with celebrity and for all of our complaining about celebrity culture and the public's obsession with the rich, famous and sometimes infamous, there have been a few savvy citizens who have figured out just how to better the world with it.

Take Lisa Spodak and Kelly Wold. Together, the two have worked together to marry the public's fascination of the celebrated and marry it with the fight against breast cancer with Lisa's Project Teddy Bear. Waiting hours after events and premieres to meet with celebrities in hopes of getting a photograph with one of their trademark bears and an autograph, they then go on to auction the fruit of their ventures and, as a result, combat a disease that plagues women and their families who suffer with them. I was able to talk with the girls behind the bears and find out just how one girl's idea turned into over $23,000 for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

1. First of all, tell me what made you want to raise money for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer?

Kelly: Actually, this was started by my good friend Lisa Spodak in NYC in 2004. She first got involved with Avon Walk after her mother, cousin, and step-mom were all diagnosed with breast cancer within a few years. They survived, fortunately, and Lisa was inspired to start doing the Walk.

2. How did you come up with the idea of getting celebrities involved?

Kelly: Again, it was all Lisa's idea. She enjoyed going to Broadway shows in NYC and hanging out at the stage door to meet the celebrities. She was looking for a new and exciting fundraising idea, so she started Project Teddy Bear. You can read all about it on her web site: www.lisawalks.com/ptb2007. Last year, I volunteered to help her out by collecting celebrity autographs and photos on the west coast since I attend movie premieres and red carpet events from time to time. I still help her out. My latest one is Jay Leno, who happily agreed to participate last week outside the NBC studios in Burbank.

3. How much money have you raised so far?

Lisa: Over the years, I've raised more than $85,000 and more than $23,000 of that came from Project Teddy Bear!! I really didn't even realize it was that much!!

4. Did you find it difficult to approach people and ask them to help?

Kelly: Not at all. I have a lot of fun with it, and the celebrities seem to really enjoy lending their names a great cause.

5. What has been your biggest score so far with the bears?

Kelly: Last year, Lisa auctioned off a bear signed by Viggo Mortensen. His is the biggest success thus far, with a winning bid of $1,525! Gerard Butler is the leader this time around. I just checked and his bear is up to $620. (At the time of this writing, Gerard's bear had just sold for $1225.00)

6. Has there been any celebrity you've felt it ultimately difficult to approach?

Kelly: Well, I'm guessing the President of the United States isn't going to find time to participate in the project. Then again, you never know!

7. What has been your best experience so far with this project?

Kelly: For me, personally, I enjoy helping my friend Lisa raise money for breast cancer research. I feel like every celebrity we get is helping to get us one step closer to finding a cure.

9. Without naming names, have you ever had a difficult experience with a celebrity?

Lisa: It's frustrating because you have so little time to explain yourself. Everyone once in awhile I get someone who misunderstands and thinks I'm asking for money and brushes me off. I've also had a few people react pretty strongly that they don't want a picture taken. And one person made a snide comment to someone else that upset me a bit, but, in general, people have been incredibly nice and supportive.

10. Is there a celebrity you would like to "get," but haven't been able to reach?

Lisa: There are definitely a few on my "wish list!" I say the top ten (based on requests and how much money I think their bears could raise): Oprah, Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Jon Stewart, David Letterman, George Clooney, Orlando Bloom, Sheryl Crow, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Peter Jackson.

11. Once you reach your goal, what's next for you guys?

Lisa: Unfortunately, I don't see the goal of eradicating breast cancer being achieved anytime soon. Every once in awhile I think about giving up Project Teddy Bear and moving on to something else, but then I can't bring myself to do it! People really like it and it's a great conversation starter which leads to raising awareness about the cause. And I know that the first time I saw a celebrity out and about and didn't have a bear with me, I'd just be kicking myself!

I have started another fundraiser which I do at the same time - Knock Out Breast Cancer. I have pink boxing gloves that Everlast donated to the fundraising effort and I also get those signed and auction them off. I do a couple of events each year and I'm working on a new event which I think will be really fun if we get it off the ground. Last but not least, I also sell t-shirts to aid in the fundraising. Basically, the idea is to find SOME way to get money out of anybody.

12. If you could tell people one thing about your project that hasn't yet been said, what would it be?

Lisa: A lot of people assume that I work for Avon and this is something official, but it's not. I'm a walker just like any other walker and I truly believe that everybody has a Project Teddy Bear inside of them. They just have the find the right fundraiser that will pique their own interest and get them engaged and fired up.

Also, that raising awareness is an important component as well as donating. So every time someone (especially someone who can't afford to give money) posts about the auctions and my site in their blog or on a message board or in an email to their contacts, it helps.

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You can keep up with Project Teddy Bear and all upcoming auctions to benefit Avon Walk for Breast Cancer by visiting lisawalks.com. You can find out more about Avon Walk for Breast Cancer by visiting their official site.