NBA Champ Byron Scott Hosts Star-Studded 6th Annual Kiki Shepard’s Celebrity Golf Classic Raising Awareness for Sickle Cell

The 6th Annual Kiki Shepard’s Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting the KIS Foundation was filled with plenty of celebrities who came out to show support for Sickle Cell Disease — and the founder was the biggest advocate.

Though most people know of Shepard as a versatile performer, whether on film, television, or stage, Shepard’s work as a humanitarian and philanthropist is making headlines for all of the right reasons.

Shepard is the founder, board president and executive director of The KIS Foundation, Inc. Her organization sponsored the illustrious event that was hosted by three-time NBA Champion and Los Angeles Lakers legend Byron Scott.

Surrounded by the green rolling hills of the Santa Susana Mountains, the well-appointed Porter Valley Country Club made a picturesque setting for the high-profile event.

“I am most proud of the KIS Foundation. I think this was just put in front of me for me to help others,” Shepard said. “This is part of the reason why I believe I even have a household name to raise awareness and spread awareness for this disease,” Shepard stated.

We are raising money so that we can raise awareness so that we can find a way to help or at least assist families who have this disease,” Shepard added.

Scott was joined on the carpet by actress Dawnn Lewis among others who spoke about the years that they have offered support to the KIS Foundation, of which Lewis is a founding board member.

“Well Kiki Shepard is a very dear friend of mine and she carries the Sickle Cell trait,” Lewis said. “This all started when it was her birthday and she used her birthday to bring awareness to Sickle Cell disease. So, we formed a formal foundation, the KIS Foundation and scholarship fund. I’ve been with Kiki since its inception and we continue to advocate for Sickle Cell.”

“Sickle Cell has become a universal epidemic,” Lewis said. “It’s important to me to support my friend Kiki and so many others and help them to raise awareness and hopefully find a cure for this disease,” Lewis noted.

“This means a great deal and this is something that I take a lot of pride in,” Scott said. “This is something special and to be a part of this with Kiki and to have this kind of golf tournament is great,” Scott stated.

Scott said, “This is an event that is very near and dear to my heart. I carry the trait. Sickle Cell disease is one of the leading causes of death in African-Americans that a lot of people don’t know about and there’s no cure for it. So, we’re working to make sure to get enough funding to make sure we can find a cure for it,” the NBA champion said.

“Kiki Shepard has been an unbelievable provider in spreading awareness for this,” Scott added.

It should be noted that in the worst heatwave in years that is currently broiling SoCal, the event set a new record for the most Celebrity golf attendees in years past.

For decades, Shepard has been instrumental using her celebrity status as a platform for raising awareness for efforts aimed at making her peers aware of Sickle Cell. She has partnered with organizations such as the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA), and the local celebrity organization called “Celebrity Families and Friends for Sickle Cell Disease”.

The multifaceted Shepard has also been active in hosting events for the cause traveling across America hosting events such as telethons, galas, visiting with families and patients at local hospitals to benefit this worthy cause.

ABOUT THE KIS FOUNDATION

The KIS Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to improving the social health and quality of life for patients and families living with Sickle Cell Disease. We are firm believers that individuals and groups should not simply wait for SCD to affect them personally for them to get involved and make a difference. It is this proactive outlook combined with a community service-based infrastructure that has made KIS Foundation a successful non-profit throughout the years.