Byron Janis and The Arthritis Foundation Announce Alliance

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The legendary pianist Byron Janis, who overcame many years of suffering from psoriatic arthritis in his hands and wrists, and the Arthritis Foundation have announced that they are embarking on an alliance that will fulfill Mr. Janis's humanitarian effort of making a difference and giving back to the 50 million Americans who suffer with arthritis. Mr. Janis will donate 25% of the proceeds from the sale of his DVD Documentary, The Byron Janis Story, his newly published book, Chopin and Beyond-My Extraordinary Life in Music and the Paranormal and his soon to be released CD, Byron Janis-Live from Leningrad. His documentary produced by Peter Rosen has aired over 850 times across the nation on PBS since its release in October and his book was released nationally in late November 2010.

"Arthritis has taught me to look inside myself for new sources of strength and creativity," says Janis.

"It has given my life a new intensity. I have Arthritis, but it does not have me."

As part of this alliance, Mr. Janis will do a limited number of engagements for the Arthritis Foundation for fundraising drives at national and regional galas, benefits and other programs. These performances will be infused with footage from his career as well as performing and speaking, reinforcing the message that he still performs at a high level which will inspire others to achieve.  He will also participate in the July 2011 Juvenile Arthritis Conference in Washington, D.C.

For more than 38 years Mr. Janis has suffered with psoriatic arthritis; at the onset of the disease for 12 years he did not reveal he had it. Together, he and his wife Maria Cooper Janis, the daughter of late great actor Gary Cooper, continued on a journey that despite often being in severe pain, allowed him to play with only sporadic absences from the world stage. Maria has for over 40 years been at Byron's side chronicling his performances, his challenges and his triumphs. She has been an instrumental force in bringing this story to Public Television and to the writing and publication of the book. Their life together is truly a life of international glamour, romance and triumphs in spite of his adversity.

"Byron has always lived in two worlds. He could ride the winds of music and slip over the barricades that separate how and what we experience here from other, more expanded worlds."

- Maria Cooper Janis

Regarded as a child prodigy at 4, Mr. Janis has performed all over the world and is the only pianist to have been asked to perform at the White House for 4 sitting presidents 6 times. At the White House in 1985 Nancy Reagan announced that Mr. Janis suffered from arthritis. He has been a national spokesperson for the Arthritis Foundation ever since and the face of inspiration for millions.

"Byron Janis' life is an inspiration not only in the music world, but as an amazing story of overcoming incredible odds, his humanitarian efforts,  his work with the Arthritis Foundation, as well as the hope he brings to those suffering with the disease has become a symbol of true conviction".

- Deborah Neuman (Arthritis Foundation Chief External Relations Officer)

For additional information on Byron Janis and to schedule interviews, speaking engagements or public appearances please contact Bettina L. Klinger, President at KlingerVision Inc. (212) 592-1385 or email [email protected]. For more information on Byron Janis please visit www.byronjanis.com  to purchase the book and DVD and make a contribution to this humanitarian effort please visit http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004I3NI72.

SOURCE Byron Janis