The Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer (MWCABC) hosted its 23rd Annual Ladies’ Night Out on Oct. 16, 2019.
Despite the torrential downpour, hundreds of women, researchers, physicians and survivors gathered at Leonard’s Palazzo to celebrate the coalition’s ongoing work in the fight against breast cancer and to commemorate 15 years of the MWCABC Outreach Program.
The evening also celebrated the MWCABC Research Committee, which continues to identify cutting edge research in the breast cancer field in hopes a cure will be found. The MWCABC has awarded over $4.5 million year to date in grants to leading research facilities in New York City and Long Island.
Ladies’ Night Out is the coalition’s principal fundraising event of the year,and a legion of volunteers generously gave of their time and talents to make the night a success. Their hard work was evident throughout the room where guests shopped the vendor boutique, bid for silent auction items,and purchased raffles for prizes big and small.
The show stopper of the evening was the fashion show, graciously sponsored, once again, by Gallery Couture of Manhasset. Owners and brothers, David and Afshin Haghani, styled the beautiful and strong breast cancer survivors from the community who took the catwalk with style, grace, dignity and inspiration. It was electric!
Hair and makeup were done gratis by nuBest Salon and Spa, also in Manhasset.
Co-chairs Paula Chiarucci and Miriam DiOrio opened the evening’s program with a warm welcome to the crowd whichcame out to support the MWCABC that evening. They thanked their committee for their endless enthusiasm over the months it took to organize LNO and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to lead an event that has such a positive impact on the community.
MWCABC Presidents Lynn Minutillo and Monique Koch took the podium to thank all involved with making the evening a success. They acknowledged the supporters, donors, underwriters and honored guests who all make it possible for the coalition to continue the work of battling breast cancer through education, outreach and research.
Two guest speakers of the night received standing ovations. The first was an Outreach Recipient introduced by board member, Sabine Hairabedian. Lauren shared her experience of battling cancer while having a young family to care for, and spoke of the unwavering support and care she found through the MWCABC’s Outreach Program. She spoke of her decision to fight with courage, strength and hope. Secondly, introduced by VP of Research co-chairs,Elizabeth Procaccino & Fiona Galbraith,was Shubhada Dhage, MD, FAC. She reported on a project headed by Dr. Robert Schneider of NYU Langone, which was previously funded by the MWCABC, saying it is promising research that is now going to clinical trials. Thank you to these two wonderful ladies for taking the time to be a part of the evening’s program.
The funds raised at Ladies’ Night Out 2019 will be used to continue the coalition’s three-pronged mission of funding research, increasing awareness through education and providing outreach services to those with breast cancer and related diseases.
Submitted by the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer.
