American Diabetes Association

The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

• Visit the American Diabetes Association Site

Thorsten raised funds for the American Diabetes Association on March 28, 1996. Here is an account by a fan who attended this event, followed by an article from Soap Opera Update.

As you all know from our Pat Chat Saturday night I got to meet our beloved Thorsten Kaye at Starfest, the American Diabetes fundraiser. I can tell you that he created quite a stir among the attendees. Before the actual luncheon there was a one hour VIP session, an opportunity to meet and greet your favorite stars without the press. When the time came and we entered the room I noticed TK immediately. My friend (an avid DOOL fan) commented on his aura and felt that he exuded a tremendous presence. Instantly I felt my heart pounding and my feet became glued to the floor. I couldn't move...he took my breath away!!! Here he was, in the flesh - tall, tanned and positively gorgeous. I heard gasps all around me. All the ladies, young and old alike, whether they were at this function to meet TK or not were totally mesmerized. I stood a few feet away trying to catch my breath and calm my pounding heart. I watched and listened to him speak to his fans that had pushed in front of me. This man seemed so focused, quite engaging and yes, down to earth. Maybe, just maybe I would not pass out. I had so much to say to TK ..at least I thought so. When I finally made my way up to him I was practically speechless! I was in LALA land, Cloud Nine - take your pick. My mind went blank. I did manage to ask if he received my letter and birthday present. There was the famous TK smile. He thanked me and yes, he kissed me!! At that point I was gone! I'm sorry I don't remember much else.

The moment we were all waiting for was the live auction to bid on OLTL's studio tour given by Thorsten Kaye. Naturally they held this off to the end - the very last item to bid on. The bidding started and here I was right in the middle of it. As the bidding got higher and higher, my hand raised higher and higher. When the bidding approached $800 it had gotten a little quieter. I realized that it was pretty much between me and someone else at the other end of the ballroom. When it reached $1000 - I sat down (yes, slap me!). Anyway, if you could believe it I lost by a mere $25! The tour went for $1025. I was devastated to say the least. My friend who came along with me freaked. She said if I still wanted it she would talk with someone. Well, she marched directly to TK (I thought she was going to Starfest personnel). She explained the situation that I had lost by only $25 and asked if he would consider doing another tour for $1000. Yes, you guessed it, he was gracious enough to agree to do another tour with me. Boy, I LOVE this man!! By the way, it took only one milli-second to rationalize the expense! I am now much poorer, but much, much happier! I hope to find out this week when the tour will be scheduled. Will keep you guys posted and I hope by the tour that I will no longer be this mass of jello. No promises though! Please, oh please, let this dream never end...........

For the 500 die-hard fans who plunked down between $75 and $130 to mix and mingle with the daytime glitterati at the sixth annual Starfest to benefit the American Diabetes Association, the event's holy grail was not a private Guiding Light studio tour or a phone call from Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH). The ultimate prize was a trip to the dais table filled with 38 daytime stars.

The hulking bodyguards hired to serve and protect the actors were no match for the wits of some of the soapsters - all well-schooled in the fine art of subterfuge...courtesy of their intensive soap training.

One fan came to the event held at the pricey Marriott Hotel in Newark, NJ, dressed in a full waitress uniform, purportedly to serve coffee to the likes of Timothy Gibb, (Gary, AW), Matthew Ashford (Tom, GH) and Brian Gaskill (Bobby, AMC). But upon closer inspection, it was evident that although she was working the floor, it was with a Kodak camera and not a bus tray. Another enterprising fan, who was unable to purchase tickets (the event sold out months in advance), tried to push her way past a security guard by claiming that she was a "personal friend of Thorsten Kaye's (Patrick, OLTL). She never made it past the red velvet ropes.

According to ADA organizers, over 50 percent of the attendees traveled from out of state to attend the event, many coming from as far away as California. All were unflinching in their quest for a photo, a smile, or even a bit of eye-contact with the daytime dignitaries. Just one wink from co-emcee Shawn Christian (Mike, ATWT) was enough to set a table full of pulses racing like a Maserati at the Indy.

One young girl enamored with YR's Shemar Moore (Malcolm) literally threw herself at his feet and, sobbing, proceeded to tell him how that particular Sunday afternoon had just become the best day of her entire life. "Oh my Lord! Oh my Lord! I am so excited!" she cried. "I prayed for this!" Another young woman lost her toddler for a few minutes when he wandered away while she was caught up in the rapture of the Daytime Emmy-nominated Shemar.

Although gratifying, the event was in no way a gratuitous exercise in celebrity idolization. Organizers raised approximately $68,000 for ADA - the most ever at a Starfest event. And whether it was soap merchandise donated from the daytime wardrobe departments, studio tours, personal phone calls from actors, or just a memory as sublime as a peck on the cheek from their favorite heartthrob, no fan went home empty-handed. Next year's event, themed as a "safari" afternoon, is set to take place on March 16, 1997. And if you fancy yourself a soap fan, you had better order your tickets and buy your faux leopard skin thong right about now.