The Maurer Foundation’s 2013 Annual Pink Diamond Gala promises to be a true gem of an event, providing an elegant and entertaining night that will support the Long Island-based non-profit organization’s breast health education mission. The evening of dancing, music and much more will raise funds in honor of this important cause.
The Pink Diamond Gala will be held on Thursday, October 17th, 6:30-10:30 p.m. at the Carltun in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. The event features fine dining, dancing, silent auctions and a jewelry showcase courtesy of London Jewelers. ABC Correspondent Kristin Thorne will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.
The event will honor women’s health and wellness expert Dr. Neeta Shah, MD and Angela Susan Anton, Publisher of Anton Community Newspapers, Long Island Weekly, and Long Island Social Diary.
Dr. Shah, a former professor of medicine at multiple Long Island universities, is a well-regarded leader and speaker on women’s health. She previously served as Vice President for Community Services for The Katz Institute for Women’s Health, connecting the facility with communities, and seeing that the public received health services and information. Dr. Shah was instrumental in having Bill #295-2009 signed into law, which supports an annual Women’s Health Week and Women’s Checkup Day for Suffolk County. Dr. Shah has made many television and radio appearances and has also contributed articles to a number of written publications. Her expertise has been acknowledged through various awards and distinctions including the Long Island Business News “Top 50 Most Influential Women of Long Island Award” in both 2009 and 2011.
Ms. Anton is publisher of Anton Community Newspapers, which serve an extensive portion of Long Island as premier local new sources for various communities. Reaching a readership of over 150,000 is one way in which Ms. Anton helps others, informing the public of timely and important news in and around their neighborhoods. Ms. Anton additionally participates as a board member and supporter of many charitable organizations including the American Liver Foundation of Greater New York, the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, the Theodore Roosevelt Council Boy Scouts of America, the Long Island Arts Alliance, the Nassau County Film Advisory Board, the WLIW Committee of WNET.org, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Seven Stars and Stripes and the Explorers Club in New York City. She has organized many fundraising initiatives through her community involvement.
Live music performed by classic rock cover band The Core will accompany dancing. The talented band members, including Maurer Foundation Board Member and keyboard player Dr. Barry Douglas, guitarist and vocalist Larry Schwartz, vocalist Alyson Gordon, lead guitarist and vocalist Elliot Megrin, bassist Rick Gigi and percussionist Doug Schwarz, will bring excellent energy to the venue.
As the saying goes, “diamonds are forever…”—a fitting concept when applied to the broad impact that the Pink Diamond Gala will have. All proceeds from this charity evening will benefit The Maurer Foundation’s breast health education programs. These programs, which have reached over 200,000 people since the foundation’s inception in 1995, teaches life-saving information and tools that can lead to the early detection or prevention of breast cancer and, in the long run, save lives.
Through presentations to schools, businesses, and community organizations, the foundation’s educators discuss breast cancer risk factors, dispel myths and explain the importance of self-exams and mammograms. The foundation’s next goal is to reach a quarter of a million people with this information, and funds raised from events such as the Pink Diamond Gala will help make that possible.
The Pink Diamond Gala was coordinated through a dedicated committee of Maurer Foundation staff members and volunteers. Pat Janco, Becky Creavin, Adam Ingber, Amanda Sexton, Anne Marie Immerso, Debbie Hecht, Debi Silber, Ilene Cooper, Dr. Kathy Weiss, Elizabeth Madigan, Mona Engel, Norma Giler, Octavio Chacon, Patty Fulton-Lawrence, Penelope Wamboldt, Sharon Friday, and Stacey Kerley have worked hard in planning what will be yet another extraordinary event to remember.
The Maurer Foundation’s Board of Directors, including Dr. Virginia E. Maurer, MD (Founder); Andrew F. Corrado (Chairman); Kathy Weiss, PhD. (Treasurer); Alice Y. Kim, MD (Secretary); James Alterbaum, Esq; Barry K. Douglas, MD, FACS; Maureen Dougherty; Susan Iadarola; Jon N. Santemma, Esq.; and The Honorable Joy Watson were also instrumental in overseeing this event.
The Maurer Foundation welcomes sponsors to participate in its largest annual fundraiser. Please visit https://www.maurerfoundation.org/events-calendar/pink-diamond to RSVP or to purchase one of the many available sponsorships.