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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, February 7, 2010

Rihanna seeks funding to fight leukemia

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Rihanna

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Rob Lowe

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Inspired by a young friend who died from leukemia, singer Rihanna is working to get help for those who suffer from the disease.

Rihanna was among the celebrities who submitted a request for funding to Pepsi's Refresh Project, which doles out $20 million to various causes, and was at the foundation's kickoff party Friday night during Super Bowl festivities in Miami. The singer is trying to raise money for DKMS, which tries to find bone marrow donors for those suffering from leukemia.

"If we win, this would really help us recruit 4,000 individual donors," she said.

For Rihanna, the connection is personal. She was active last year in trying to find donors for 6-year-old Jasmina Amena, who died last month. They had become friends. "She was a very free, fun-spirited little girl, full of energy, always happy, always energetic," Rihanna said. "I always remember she wouldn't sit still. She was always running around, always had a smile on her face."

COLTS DEVOTEE LOWE RACKS UP FLIER MILES

Rob Lowe isn't just another celebrity who scored a Super Bowl ticket. He's a dedicated follower of the Indianapolis Colts who has the mileage to prove it.

The L.A.-based actor watched the Colts win their playoff games for their Super Bowl berth, and he and his family are in Miami for today's game.

Said Lowe: "My son Johnny is an ever bigger Colts fan than I am. So we couldn't fly all the way to Indiana, twice in a row, two weeks in a row, and not come here."

Lowe is on the ABC drama "Brothers & Sisters," but announced last month he was leaving the series. As far as speculation that he might soon get his own series, he said: "I'm keeping my options open."

RUMORS OF CHINESE LOOKALIKE ALARM ALBA

Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery for Jessica Alba.

The actress said yesterday she's been distressed by Internet reports about a Chinese woman who is having plastic surgery to look like Alba in hopes of getting her lover back.

"I think you should never have to change yourself like that," Alba said. "If somebody loves you, they'll love you no matter what."

Alba is in Miami for the Super Bowl.

ANSEL ADAMS KIN DONATE HISTORIC PHOTOS

The daughter of Ansel Adams is helping to shed new light on Nevada with the help of photographs shot long before her father's renowned images of the American West.

Anne Adams Helms has donated about two dozen photos to the Nevada Historical Society in Reno. The images were taken as early as the 1860s by photographers who predated her father.

The collection includes fading photos of Mark Twain acquaintance Robert Howland, Nevada territorial Gov. James Nye, the old Wells Fargo office in Virginia City and the former U.S. Mint in Carson City.

Helms, 74, of Salinas, Calif., said the photos were handed down by Olive Bray, Ansel Adams' mother.

— Advertiser News Services