Saget to host fundraiser for scleroderma research

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NEW YORK, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Actor and stand-up comic Bob Saget is to return as host of a New York comedy show to benefit the Scleroderma Research Foundation, organizers announced.

Presented by Actelion Pharmaceuticals, "Cool Comedy -- Hot Cuisine" is to take place Monday night at Carolines on Broadway. The event will feature appearances by Seth Meyers, Colin Quinn and Jeffrey Ross, as well as food by Bravo Top Chef Masters and restaurateurs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken.

Saget is an SRF board member whose sister died more than 15 years ago of scleroderma, an autoimmune disease affecting the connective tissue. An advocate for scleroderma research and treatment, Saget is a fixture at "Cool Comedy -- Hot Cuisine" events.

"All the money raised goes directly to research," Saget said in a statement Tuesday. "We try to make the event different from a typical charity fundraiser. It's an evening filled with fun, great food and laughter."

The foundation describes "Cool Comedy -- Hot Cuisine" as its signature fundraiser.

"Since its inception in 1988, the event has raised millions of dollars for scleroderma research and brought a great deal of media attention to the disease. It has introduced scleroderma and the Scleroderma Research Foundation to thousands of people around the country," the foundation said on its Web site.

"Cool Comedy -- Hot Cuisine" events are held in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. The most recent event -- May 4 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco -- raised more than $500,000 for scleroderma research, the foundation said.