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Complete, corrected release follows:
Amsterdam Native and St. Jude Patient Christian Gizara to Appear With Marlo
Thomas on Dec. 8 'Larry King Live' to Educate Viewers About Life-Saving Work
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AMSTERDAM, N.Y., Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Twelve-year-oldChristian Gizara, Amsterdam native and St. Jude patient, will appear alongsideSt. Jude National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas during the December 8thepisode of "Larry King Live." This appearance, which can be seen Saturday,December 8th at 9 p.m. ET on CNN, is one in a series of media activities inconjunction with the fourth annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign.Christian, who was diagnosed with ependymoma, a brain tumor, in 2003 and isnow cancer-free, will share his story on-air and help educate viewers aboutthe life-saving work of St. Jude and how they can help by participating in theThanks and Giving campaign.
This is the third year for long-time St. Jude supporter, Larry King, toinvite Marlo Thomas to share stories of hope, like Christian's, with hisviewers during Thanks and Giving. Christian's story is a unique one -- itbegan in October 2003 when Christian developed flu-like symptoms. His parentstook him to see their pediatrician, who suggested rest and fluids. But threedays later, Christian woke up vomiting and crying that his head hurt "reallybad." His doctor sent him for an MRI and lab work at the local children'shospital, where Christian was diagnosed with ependymoma, a brain tumor. Twodays after his diagnosis, Christian underwent a nine-hour brain surgery toremove the tumor. Knowing he needed ongoing treatment, his parents searchedthe Internet, where they discovered St. Jude. Tune in Saturday, December 8thto hear the rest of Christian's story, how St. Jude saved his life and see howhe's doing today.
This holiday season, everyone can help kids like Christian by supportingthe Thanks and Giving campaign. The campaign encourages customers to "Givethanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not."Shoppers will see the St. Jude Thanks and Giving magnifying glass on a brightgreen background in their stores and can support the campaign by adding adonation at checkout or purchasing specialty merchandise that benefits St.Jude. Donations and purchases can also be made online at www.stjude.org or bycalling 1-800-4STJUDE. Thanks and Giving began nationwide on November 19 andcontinues through the holiday season.
Thanks and Giving was created by award-winning actress and St. JudeNational Outreach Director Marlo Thomas and her siblings, Terre and TonyThomas, the children of hospital founder Danny Thomas. It is an unprecedentedcoming together of retail and corporate partners, media and celebrities,asking everyone to join them in supporting St. Jude's groundbreaking researchthat benefits children in communities across the country and around the world.St. Jude is the nation's leading pediatric cancer research and treatmentcenter and the only one that covers all of the costs for medicine, treatment,food, travel and lodging. Eighty-five cents of each dollar received goesdirectly to research and treatment.
Celebrity friends Jennifer Aniston, Antonio Banderas, Bernie Mac, RayRomano, Robin Williams and Reggie Bush have donated their talent for newnational television spots, produced by Tony Thomas, which are airing onbroadcast and cable networks, in both general and Spanish-language mar
