More than 900 devoted supporters are expected to attend the Breast Cancer Alliance’s annual benefit luncheon and fashion show on Thursday, November 6 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich in Greenwich, CT.
This year’s benefit features two fabulous runway shows—the Brunello Cucinelli Fall 2014 Collection and Spring 2015 Collection Preview, preceded by a Survivors Celebration Fashion Show, presenting specially selected autumn fashions from Richards of Greenwich modeled by inspiring breast cancer survivors.
Says survivor and fashion show model Amanda Mason, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” Diagnosed with breast cancer on her 48th birthday, the mother of four decided early on that dying was not an option. Having lost her father to cancer when he was just 50 and her aunt to breast cancer at the young age of 38, Mason knew well the insidious power of the disease. Determined, she battled her own cancer head-on, undergoing a bilateral mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.
Mason credits her gifted doctors, the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center in Fairfield, CT—a Breast Cancer Alliance Education and Outreach Grantee— family and friends with her recovery. Their experience, commitment, love and humor helped her successfully navigate a very complicated journey.
Benefit Co-Chair and fashion-show model Lisa Fischer also knows a thing or two about courage and compassion. During a routine mammogram, she complained of tenderness in one area of her left breast. Her doctor ordered an ultrasound in addition to the mammogram and found an area that seemed abnormal, but felt comfortable watching it for six months. When Fischer returned for the follow-up mammogram and biopsy, the then 47-year-old mother of three was diagnosed with Stage 1, Grade 3 (aggressive) breast cancer. After two lumpectomies with unclean margins followed by four rounds of chemotherapy, she decided to have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.
Fischer can’t help but believe that a guardian angel must have been sitting on her shoulder because it is said that breast cancer does not hurt. She would have never have had an ultrasound unless she had felt the tenderness. (For more stories on breast cancer survivors modeling at the event, please see below.)
Aptly themed Branching Out, Coming Together, Aspiring to a Cure, the luncheon marks BCA’s 19th year of bringing people together in support of the organization’s tireless work to improve survival rates and quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer through better prevention, early detection, treatment and cure.
Under the creative direction of event Co-Chairs Lisa Fischer and Jieun Wax, this year’s luncheon and fashion show promises to be an exciting and memorable afternoon. Says Fischer, “I am so encouraged to see the impact research has had on treatment and prevention. This will most certainly help women to perhaps prevent the disease from happening, increase chances of early detection and/or be cured through the advances in treatment. I am so proud to be a part of this fantastic organization, which is on the forefront of research as well as much needed surgical fellowships and outreach.”
Fellow Co-Chair Jieun Wax agrees. “I have so much admiration for the important support that the BCA provides for ground-breaking research to cure breast cancer.”
The event gets underway with a silent auction reception, featuring a two-night stay in a premier signature suite at The Ocean House, complete with 360º view of the ocean and fireplace; two tickets to the Fall/Winter 2015 Fashion Presentation in New York with round-trip care service and an iconic boxer bag; an afternoon picnic or sunset cruise for six on the luxurious Hinckley Picnic Boat, among other treasures. Live auction offerings include a year’s worth of shoes from Richards of Greenwich valued at $10,000 as well as a $10,000 gift certificate for a shopping spree at Greenwich Avenue’s newest retailer, Shreve, Crump and Low.
Author and ESPN sportscaster, Mike Greenberg, will address attendees during the luncheon that follows. Said Greenberg, "My wife, Stacy, and I created the Heidi's Angels Foundation in honor of our friend Heidi Armitage, who died of breast cancer in 2009. We have seen first-hand the devastation this disease is capable of and are proud and committed to doing anything we can to help fight it."
At 1:15, the much-anticipated fashion shows begin. Mitchells | Richards has been central in bringing Brunello Cucinelli’s stunning designs to the BCA runway, and has culled a special autumn wardrobe for the Survivors Celebration Fashion Show.
Richards of Greenwich will host the Brunello Cucinelli Spring 2015 trunk show in its Greenwich Avenue store on Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th. The retailer will donate a percentage of its trunk-show sales to advance the Breast Cancer Alliance’s work.
To date, BCA has awarded more than $19 million in grants invested in innovative research, breast surgery fellowships, regional education, dignified support and screening for the underserved. Over its nearly two-decade history, the organization has funded cutting-edge research and one-year postgraduate breast surgery fellowships at 25 of the nation’s leading research institutions.
Breast Cancer Alliance Executive Director Yonni Wattenmaker sums up the organization’s powerful message: “Our BCA logo – the three girls – is about community. One woman might be a strong one – but how much stronger, and safer; how much more do each of us feel we matter and can survive, when we are surrounded by friends, family and neighbors. Together, we can, we have, and we will continue to make a difference. That is the reason for our benefit and the work we do. That is the power of Breast Cancer Alliance.”
Tickets are $350 – $2,000 and tables are $5,000 – $50,000.
For online registration, visit weblink.donorperfect.com/2014benefit.
Silent action items can be viewed and bid on at breastcanceralliance.tofinoauctions.com/benefit2014
To purchase raffle tickets or request a paper invitation, please call the Breast Cancer Alliance at (203) 861-0014 or email Crystal Stoute, Executive Assistant crystal@breastcanceralliance.org.