Recording Artist Elliott Yamin to Duet With Singer-Songwriter and Rare Disease Patient Gracie Van Brunt at Global Genes | RARE Project Benefit

Faircraft Records/Universal Republic Recording Artist Chris Mann and Singer-Songwriter Katrina Parker Will Also Perform; Actors Jason George, Nestor Serrano and Meagan Tandy Will Serve as Celebrity Presenters

DANA POINT, Calif., Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Global Genes | RARE Project (www.globalgenes.org) today announced that recording artist and "American Idol" season 5 finalist Elliott Yamin, will share the stage with Gracie Van Brunt, a young girl battling a rare genetic disease called Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome, when they duet together at the 'RARE Tribute to Champions of Hope' benefit on September 27, 2012, at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach, CA. 

"Gracie, and the millions of other children battling little known rare and genetic diseases, are true heroes of mine," said Elliott Yamin. "I am honored and humbled to sing with Gracie and inspired each day by her bravery and tenacity."

Gracie will also perform a special song of hope that she wrote, which chronicles her journey as a Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome patient. The rare congenital disease affects the bone marrow, pancreas and skeleton and patients are at risk for experiencing serious and sometimes fatal infections, as well as leukemia, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Guests will also enjoy special musical performances by Faircraft Records/Universal Republic recording artist Chris Mann and singer-songwriter Katrina Parker, both fan favorites and stars of the second season of the NBC hit television show "The Voice."  

In addition to musical performances by Elliott Yamin, Gracie Van Brunt, Chris Mann and Katrina Parker, "Grey's Anatomy" star Jason George will join actors Nestor Serrano (Act of Valor, The Negotiator, The Insider, Secretariat) and Meagan Tandy (Jane By Design, 90210, CSI: NY, Dark Blue) to introduce some of the evening's distinguished honorees including Henri Termeer, Former President and CEO of Genzyme. Mr. Termeer will receive a special Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking work in developing innovative drugs for rare diseases.

To purchase tickets to the "RARE Tribute to Champions of Hope" benefit visit: http://globalgenes.org/2012Tribute. Interviews are available before the event and onsite at the event with Global Genes | RARE Project executives, parent advocates, celebrity hosts and performers. 

About Global Genes | RARE Project

Global Genes | RARE Project is the leading non-profit organization advocating for the roughly 30 million Americans and approximately 350 million people worldwide who are affected by rare and genetic diseases and disorders. The non-profit organization promotes the needs of the rare and genetic disease community under a unifying symbol of hope - the Blue Denim Genes Ribbon(TM). In the United States, a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 Americans per disease. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are nearly 7,000 such rare diseases and an estimated 95% do not have a single approved drug treatment.  

Web: http://globalgenes.org/
Twitter: @GlobalGenes
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/globalgenesproject

SOURCE The Global Genes Project