Combat Radio’s Christmas Carol For A Cure

‘The world’s most epic Christmas party!’ 

Stephen Surjik (Director of The Witcher, Fubar, The Punisher) 

The Event…

November 21, 2024 | The Saban Theater, Beverly Hills, CA

“Just an incredible experience!” 

Former Warner Bros. Senior VP Bill Daly 

“Incredible! Just incredible!” 

Jon Divens (Producer of Blade, Blade 2) 

The Purpose…

Our event is in support of cures for the neurologic autoimmune disease NMOSD—a mission being led by the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation. Collectively, NMOSD and other autoimmune diseases now affect as many people as heart disease—and two times more than cancer ! And because autoimmune diseases and cancer are caused by related immune disorders, solving NMOSD holds great promise to help solve cancer. With The Guthy-Jackson Foundation, we include, as guests, children from The Gold Rush For A Cure Cancer Foundation, The Teddy Bear For A Cure Cancer Foundation, The Ronald McDonald House and heroes from the Red Cross, LAFD, L.A. Teachers Union, Sisters of Watts, members our Armed Forces community and more…

The Scene From The Red Carpet… 

The Writers…

Producers Dan Truly (Law And Order SVU, Blue Bloods) Jeff Astrof (Shining Vale, Friends), Mark Amato (A Kiss Before Christmas) Emmy winner Russ Woody (The Drew Carey Show) and 10-time Emmy nominee/winner Steven Peterman (Murphy Brown, Hannah Montana) craft and update the script of this Dickens classic for our live audience…  

The show is directed by Keythe Farley (Adventure Time) Production Design is by James ‘Skip Torvinen’ (Abbott Elementary, Obi Wan Kenobi) and the event is produced by Lota Hadley (Warner Bros), Ethan Dettenmaier (Warner Bros. Combat Radio), Shawn Dettenmaier (CSUN) and Jason Shuman (Winning Time/HBO, Acapulco/Apple TV)…     

The Mission…

The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation (GJCF) mission is to cure autoimmune diseases like NMOSD once and for all. We have dedicated more than 15 years and over $80 million dollars to this goal. For more than 100 years there were no clinical trials and no approved therapies—and when we began our mission in 2008 NMOSD patients had a life expectancy of 4 years. The GJCF flipped that script by leading scientific discoveries, therapeutic development and medical advances that have saved and improved countless lives. Today, there are 4 FDA approved therapies and patients are expected to live normal lifespans. We are incredibly proud of these accomplishments—but even more important to us are the patients who now enjoy an optimistic outlook with their loved ones.

The Connection…

Shawn Dettenmaier started a charity when she was in the third grade. She adopted families for Christmas, adopted shelters, filled food banks and provided meals, school supplies and Christmas presents to thousands of families across Los Angeles, living in tents and cardboard boxes. She was decorated by The Mayor of Los Angeles (twice) and put everything she had into her community.

In 2023, she was suddenly facing a fight for her life in the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center. She had been diagnosed with NMOSD—the rare autoimmune disease of the central nervous system disease that can cause blindness, paralysis or death.

Every night, from her hospital room, she could see the decorative lights of the Children’s Hospital next door. She knew there were children there—in pain and hopelessness—in the final days of their lives with terrified families living on prayers. She could relate. To make matters worse, while she was at UCLA Shawn’s father collapsed in the hallway outside her hospital room and had no vital signs due to a blood clot blocking both lungs. The UCLA Emergency doctors revived him, and he would recover in the ICU while Shawn was in her hospital room on the 6th floor. It was a dark and terrifying time.

But then, a miracle happened. In June of 2023, Shawn was introduced to The Guthy-Jackson Foundation. Shawn received one of the therapies the GJCF led in developing. She is a star in the GJCF NMO Story.

The Revolution…

First and foremost, the GJCF created a network of first responders to patients and families facing the frightening news of an NMOSD diagnosis. From physicians to researchers to advocates, GJCF is there. But the GJCF mission goes beyond this initial role. It invested more than $80 million to revolutionize how NMOSD was diagnosed, understood and treated. In recognition of the amazing accomplishments led by the GJCF, the American Academy of Neurology declared 2019-2020 as “The Year of NMO”. In 2024, the keynote address at the international conference of neurology that focuses on NMOSD and related disorders (ECTRIMS) stated that the GJCF was “the transformative catalyst for the incredible advances that have been made in the field”. Today, the discoveries made in NMOSD are now catalyzing advances in diagnosis and improved treatments for multiple sclerosis, lupus, type-1 diabetes, psoriasis, IBD, and many other autoimmune diseases.

The four highly-effective therapies enabled by GJCF help NMOSD retain their vision, prevent paralysis and live full healthy lives. These therapies are symbols of the amazing collaborations among hearts and minds we have been honored to lead. But as great as these accomplishments are—they are stepping stones to our ultimate goal—cures. We are Cureageous®.

Today, GJCF is focused on an emerging field of medicine called tolerization reprograms the immune system to end autoimmune diseases permanently. And not just for NMOSD—but a blueprint to cure all autoimmune disorders like MS, diabetes, lupus. And because autoimmune diseases and cancer are two sides of the same immune system coin, by curing NMOSD and autoimmune diseases we will gain new insights into curing cancer. Yes…CANCER! You can learn more about the incredible advances being made toward these goals on The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation website.

The Cure…

Imagine, a world without NMOSD or MS or lupus or type-1 diabetes or any autoimmune disease—or cancer ! That world will become a reality… with your help.

Cures are now within reach, and the GJCF is doing all it can to make them a reality. We can get there sooner with your help. We can save our loved ones, our children, everyone suffering from NMOSD, MS, lupus and other autoimmune diseases—help prevent rejection of organ transplants—and even help to conquer cancer ! Bold goals ? Absolutely ! But if we are not aiming for cures we are not aiming high enough.

Combat Radio’s Christmas Carol for a Cure supports this very cause. Every dollar goes to this mission! Money raised will go towards research and clinical trials—and doctors from UCLA and Harvard will be present at this event for you to meet and talk about the exciting work they are doing.

A hope without action is just a wish. With your help we can find cures. You are the cure.

And Shawn? Shawn graduated from CSUN with honors—even though most of her schoolwork was done from a hospital bed or a clinic. She is now a Masters Degree student in Arts who continues her mission to help others. In addition to Combat Radio’s Christmas Carol for a Cure, she still holds her annual Christmas event for social services and hopes to always continue it.

“All heart! The Best Christmas Party EVER!” 

Director Michael Lange (X Files, Bones, Criminal Minds) 

“A MUST-SEE EVENT!” 

Mark Marshall (Steven Spielberg’s Assistant, Production Supervisor on Harry Potter) 

Partnership… 

JOIN US ON THE RED CARPET… 

Heroes make this event happen. The heroes that bring the magic are people like YOU! Will you consider getting involved with this epic event? And will you be part of the solution?  

Saving lives, helping these families is up to YOU! See below for your opportunity. 

The Scrooge! 

1. Get your brand on the red carpet (and all media materials, including playbook and promotional commercials leading up to the event… 
2. Get a commercial in the TV broadcast -AND-credit on the broadcast (and IMBD) 
3. 10 commercials on Combat Radio/Brigade-Radio-One over the holiday season… 
4. Get close to the action with 20 VIP/Backstage passes and seats right up front, just off the stage…  
5. A private party, early red-carpet access before doors… 
6. PRIVATE DINNER with cast and crew for you and your guests (20) hosted by LEGENDARY celebrity Chef Kiki (Robert Downey Jr.,)  
7. Special access to the AFTER-PARTY (which is legendary) with the cast and crew/meet and greet… 
8. The ULTIMATE VIP cargo box for you and your guests (including signed posters, swag and more…) 
9. Get interviewed on the red carpet as part of the streamed broadcast. 
10. Know that you helped save a life… 

$25,000 (tax-deductible) Go to www.acombatradiochristmascarol.com to claim your VIP spot. 

The Christmas Story Pack 

1. Get your brand on the red carpet (and all media materials, including playbook and promotional commercials leading up to the event… 
2.  Get a commercial in the TV broadcast -AND-credit on the broadcast (and IMDB)… 
3. Three commercials on Combat Radio/Brigade-Radio-One  
4. Get close to the action with 12 VIP/Backstage passes, right up front just off the stage… 
5.  A private party, early red carpet access before doors… 
6.  PRIVATE DINNER with cast and crew for you and your guests (12) hosted by LEGENDARY celebrity Chef Kiki (Robert Downey Jr.)  
7. Special access to the AFTER-PARTY (which is legendary) with the cast and crew… 
8. The ULTIMATE VIP cargo box for you and your friends (including signed poster and more…) 
9. Get interviewed on the red carpet as part of the streamed broadcast. 
10. Know that you helped save a life… 

$15,000 (tax-deductible) Go to www.acombatradiochristmascarol.com to claim your VIP spot. 

The Die Hard Package 

1. Get your brand on the red carpet (and all media materials, including playbook and promotional commercials leading up to the event… 
2. Get close to the action with 8 VIP/Backstage passes right up front just off the stage… 
3. A private party, early red carpet access before doors… 
4. PRIVATE DINNER with cast and crew for you and your guests (8) hosted by LEGENDARY celebrity Chef Kiki (Robert Downey Jr.)   
5. Special access to the AFTER-PARTY (which is legendary) cast meet and greet… 
6. The ULTIMATE VIP cargo box for you and your friends (including signed posters and more…) 
7. Get interviewed on the red carpet as part of the streamed broadcast. 
8. Know that you helped save a life… 

$10,000 (tax-deductible) Go to www.acombatradiochristmascarol.com to claim your VIP spot. 

The Polar Express 

1. Eight VIP/Backstage passes right up front just off the stage… 
2.  A private party, early red-carpet access before doors… 
3. PRIVATE DINNER with cast and crew for you and your guests (8) hosted by LEGENDARY celebrity Chef Kiki (Robert Downey Jr.) 
4. Special access to the AFTER-PARTY (which is legendary) with the cast and crew/meet and greet… 
5. The ULTIMATE VIP cargo box for you and your friends (including signed posters and more…) 
6. Know that you helped save a life… 

$5,000 (tax deductible) Go to www.acombatradiochristmascarol.com to claim your VIP spot. 

Buddy The Elf 

1. Get close to the action with four VIP/Backstage passes, right up front and just off the stage… 
2.  Early access before doors… 
3.  PRIVATE DINNER with cast and crew for you and your guests (4) hosted by LEGENDARY celebrity Chef Kiki  
4. Special access to the AFTER-PARTY (which is legendary) and the cast and crew meet and greet… 
5.  The ULTIMATE VIP cargo box for you and your friends (including signed poster and more…) 
6. ​Know that you helped save a life… 

$2,500 (tax deductible) Go to www.acombatradiochristmascarol.com to claim your VIP spot. 

‘SEE YOU ON THE RED CARPET …AT THE SHOW!’ 

THANK YOU!