BETHPAGE, N.Y., Dec. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC), AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX), and The Madison Square Garden Company (NASDAQ: MSG) presented the twelfth annual Holiday Rock & Roll Bash on Thursday, December 6, to benefit The Lustgarten Foundation. Breaking its all-time fundraising record, the event raised more than $1.75 million for the fight against pancreatic cancer. Since Cablevision underwrites all of The Lustgarten Foundation's administrative costs, 100 percent of the funds raised will go directly toward pancreatic cancer research to detect the disease earlier, develop better treatments, and ultimately, to find a cure.

Created in 2001, the Holiday Rock & Roll Bash has become The Lustgarten Foundation's premier annual event. More than 1,300 guests attended this year's Bash, which was held at the legendary Hard Rock Cafe in New York City's famous Times Square. The evening's entertainment included a rock-and-roll and blues performance by JD & The Straight Shot, along with a special appearance by the world-famous Radio City Rockettes and their good friend, Santa Claus.

"The Holiday Rock & Roll Bash is an incredible event and its supporters are tremendously generous year after year. We are extremely grateful that as a result of this annual event, nearly $15 million has been raised for pancreatic cancer research during the past 12 years," said Kerri Kaplan, executive director of The Lustgarten Foundation. "Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal of all cancers. As a result of Cablevision's financial support, all of the money raised by the Bash goes directly to funding research so we can find a cure for this deadly disease."

Marc Lustgarten, the former vice chairman of Cablevision and chairman of Madison Square Garden, along with the help of Cablevision Chairman Charles Dolan and Chief Executive James Dolan, established The Lustgarten Foundation in 1998 before Marc died from pancreatic cancer. Today, the Foundation that Marc inspired is the nation's largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research, providing more than $65 million to research since its inception.

The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision are also partners in the curePC public awareness campaign. Visit curePC.org to learn more about The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision's fight against pancreatic cancer.

About The Lustgarten Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is swift and silent, often undetected until it's too late. More than 37,000 people will die from it this year. The overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is six percent and most individuals with advanced cancer die within a year. There are no early detection tests, no effective long-term treatments and, unless the cancer is surgically removed in its earliest stages, no cure. It is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

The Lustgarten Foundation is America's largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Based in Bethpage, New York, the Foundation supports research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, facilitates dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and educates the public about the disease through awareness campaigns and fundraising events. The Foundation has provided millions of research dollars and assembled the best scientific minds with the hope that one day, a cure can be found. Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and telecommunications company, underwrites all of The Lustgarten Foundation's administrative costs, so that 100 percent of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. Learn more at www.curePC.org.

About Cablevision Systems Corporation
Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading media and telecommunications companies. In addition to delivering its Optimum-branded cable, Internet, and voice offerings throughout the New York area, the Company owns and operates cable systems serving homes in four Western states.  Cablevision's local media properties include News 12 Networks, MSG Varsity and Newsday Media Group.  Cablevision also owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.  Additional information about Cablevision is available on the Web at www.cablevision.com.

CONTACT: Sabrina Strauss, +1-212-576-2700 x236, sstrauss@goodmanmedia.com

SOURCE Cablevision Systems Corporation