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My successes.

Wilmington, N.C., July 22, 2014 - The Southeastern Division of March of Dimes will celebrate the 100th birthday of movie icon Tyrone Power at a Gala Luncheon at the Landfall Country Club, on September 18, 2014.  The first in a series commemorating screen legends, the fundraiser will welcome Tyrone Power's children as special guests. 

Tyrone Power was one of the leading men of Hollywood's golden era, from 1936 until his sudden death in 1958. He made 50 films in a career cut short by a heart attack at the age of forty-four. For three consecutive years, 1939 through 1941, Tyrone was named "King of the Movies" by fans.

"Tyrone Power was a natural choice to launch the March of Dimes annual Screen Legends Fundraiser in Wilmington," said SCORE client and event organizer Dr. Carine M. McConekey.  "Not only is this his centennial birthday year, but he was a longtime supporter of the March of Dimes and has several connections to North Carolina."

Tyrone was the third of four actors in the Tyrone Power line.  His father (who would come to be known as Tyrone Power Sr. when his own stellar career was eclipsed by his son's) performed at Wilmington's Thalian Hall.  In 1945, U.S. Marine Corps Aviator Tyrone Power trained as an R5C copilot with the VMR-352 at Cherry Point before serving in the South Pacific.  In 1958, Tyrone performed in George Bernard Shaw's Back to Methuselah at Brogden Hall, before the play opened on Broadway.  During that visit to Wilmington, Tyrone entered discussions to help fund the renovation of the historic Thalian Hall where his father had performed.

This fundraising luncheon features a video tribute to Tyrone Power, a meet-&-greet with his three children, Romina, Taryn, and Tyrone Jr. - all successful entertainers - and the opportunity to purchase a collector's quality first edition English language version of Romina's bestselling Italian book, Searching for My Father, Tyrone Power.  The updated and expanded limited edition is available only at Centennial events.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing premature births, birth defects, and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds research programs, community services, education, and advocacy to improve the health of newborns and infants.

For details about the March of Dimes/Tyrone Power Centennial luncheon, please visit: 

 www.marchofdimes/northcarolina/events.com

Or call either Gretchen Pixley-Jones at (910) 452-1515 or (910) 338-3007 or

Jamie Crist at (910) 338-3008                                          

For further information about the March of Dimes, please visit www.marchofdimes.com