First 50 Jan. Ticket Buyers for 'ABC & SOAPnet Salute BC/EFA' Benefit to Get 'Hot Guys' Extra

In celebration of the 5th anniversary of their annual "ABC and SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS" event, the producers of this popular benefit are offering a special gift to thank fans for their loyal support of this event over the past five years. For the month of January, the first 50 ticket buyers for this year's event will receive the "2009 ABC Hot Guys of Daytime" calendar free. The show, which is part of The Soap Nation Tour, will be held on Monday, March 9th at Town Hall in New York City at 8:00p.m.

Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and new online contests are available by visiting www.broadwaycares.org.

The annual "ABC Hot Guys of Daytime Calendar" features 16 months of the hottest hunks from ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIFE, and GENERAL HOSPITAL and is a "must have" for all ABC soap fans. The hunks on display in this year's calendar are: AMC's Cameron Mathison (Ryan), Thorsten Kaye (Zach), and Aiden Turner (Aidan), GH's Maurice Benard (Sonny), Bradford Andersen (Spinelli), Steve Burton (Jason), Jason Thompson (Patrick), Brandon Barash (Johnny), and Greg Vaughan (Lucky), and OLTL's Kamar De Los Reyes (Antonio), John Brotherton (Jared), and Trevor St. John (Todd)!

Susan Lucci will headline the 5th annual "ABC and SOAPnet Salute Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS"with previously announced co-star and host Cameron Mathison. Talent confirmed to participate, include: Melissa Claire Egan, Bobbie Eakes, Ricky Paull Goldin, Vincent Irizarry, Chrishell Stause, Aiden Turner, Darnell Williams, Walt Willey and Jacob Young from "All My Children." Kristen Alderson, Bethann Bonner, Kathy Brier, Scott Clifton, Kassie DePaiva, Mark Lawson, Hillary B. Smith, Jason Tam and Brittany Underwood from "One Life to Live" and Bradford Anderson, Anthony Geary and Kimberly McCullough from "General Hospital." Additional cast and special guest stars to be announced at a later date. Talent participation is subject to change.

2009 marks the launch of "SOAP-A-THON", an interactive online competition where fans of ABC Soaps have the chance to win rare ABC Daytime memorabilia and an experience that no ABC Soap fan would want to miss. This inaugural edition of "SOAP-A-THON" will focus on and celebrate the unforgettable "Power Couples" of ABC Daytime. Once registered as "SOAP-A-THON" participants, fans will have the opportunity to set up and personalize their own fundraising web page to show their support for their favorite ABC Daytime "Power Couple". Throughout the competition, fans will be eligible to win one of-a-kind prizes like autographed photos, signed scripts and actual wardrobe pieces from "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital." The top fundraising fan teams' coordinator will be eligible to win round trip airfare for two to New York City and a pair of VIP tickets to March 9th event. To date, the "SOAP-A-THON" has raised over $17,000.

Fans can use the internet via e-mail or blogs to reach out to family, friends and other ABC daytime fans who might love to make a donation in the name of their favorite couple from "All My Children," "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital."

"ABC and SOAPnet Salutes Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS" marks the fifth benefit BC/EFA has produced in conjunction with the network in support of the organization. To date, this annual benefit has raised over one million dollars for the organization.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grants making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $140 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses.

BC/EFA is the major supporter of six programs at The Actors' Fund - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, 2 supportive housing residences and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic at The Aurora in NYC - and awards grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations yearly.