Melissa Etheridge, Sheryl Crow Lead Gibson Guitar Auction for Breast Cancer Research

Sheryl Crow's recent announcement that she underwent treatment for breast cancer came just days after Gibson Guitars released this info about a breast cancer fundraising auction. Perhaps Sheryl Crow is going to focus on turning her experience with the disease into a personal crusade, and use her celebrity status to generate support for breast cancer awareness, much like former fiance Lance Armstrong did with his LiveStrong Foundation.

Music and entertainment superstars including Sheryl Crow, Rod Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, David Carradine, Mick Fleetwood, Joe Perry of Aerosmith and Brian Johnson of AC/DC are joining forces in an effort to raise money and awareness to help in the fight against breast cancer. On May 3, 2005 Hard Rock Cafe Los Angeles will host the first ever “Designer Gibson Guitar Auction” to benefit the Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

Expedition Inspiration, the national nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research, and Hard Rock Cafe will auction 50 Gibson Les Paul SG Special guitars decorated by music and entertainment superstars live at the Cafe and online at www.juliensauctions.com. Musical giant Gibson Guitar has donated the guitars that will feature the original artwork of the celebrity who designed it. Money raised will go to promote promising new research at the USC/Norris and UCLA/Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Centers, both leaders in cancer prevention and research.

“Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women 35 to 54, and Expedition Inspiration has been instrumental in calling attention to the breast cancer epidemic and desperate need for a cure,” said Téa Leoni, actress and auction chair for Expedition Inspiration. “We are proud to partner with Hard Rock Cafe and Gibson Guitar to bring this unique auction that will widely appeal to music and entertainment fans and hopefully raise a lot of money.”

Owners of the world’s greatest collection of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia and supporters of various philanthropic causes since it was founded in London in 1971, Hard Rock Cafe is a natural venue for this event that allows celebrities to showcase their creativity and decorate guitars for charity.

The live Expedition Inspiration auction at Hard Rock Cafe Los Angeles begins at 8:30 p.m. on May 3, 2005, and is by invitation only. However, online bidding for the specially designed Gibson guitars will open to the general public prior to the event on April 24, 2005 at http://www.juliensauctions.com.