Talking about the Ellen Hermanson Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Virtual Summer Gala on Saturday, July 25 (from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.), Co-Founder and Chairwoman Julie Ratner buried the lead. She had been raving about the evening’s performances: Tovah Feldshuh, as RBG from the Broadway bound production of “Sisters in Law,” Anna Bergman, singing Happy Anniversary, comedienne Jessica Kirson and emcee Lucas Hunt. Then Julie mentioned Hillary Rodham Clinton will also appear on tape, as will George Stephanopoulos and Toby & Itzhak Perlman. No surprise she didn’t lead with Hillary: Julie Ratner always gives equal “billing” to all who need breast cancer care.
“The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center has the exact same high level of technology you would find at Memorial Sloan Kettering, Weill Cornell, Mt. Sinai or any of the big academic medical centers in the city,” Ratner told us. “Because we believe access to health care is a human right, and that women on the East End deserve the highest level of medical service and expertise. And the breast center has it all.” Right now, it’s the center’s installed state of the art ultrasound system they need to pay for. “There’s nothing better out there,” she bragged. “I’m sure in a year or two there will be something new that we need to purchase, but right now this is it.”
Online galas are it for now, as well. “Originally we had planned a lovely event to take place at the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club with four wonderful honorees,” Julie said. Instead, Cristina Cuomo, Kristen Dahlgren, Patti Askwith Kenner and Edyle O’Brien will be honored; and Jean Shafiroff, and Jodi Wasserman will co-chair, virtually.
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Honorees Edyle O’Brien and Patti Askwith Kenner. (Courtesy Photos) |
Bloomberg Philanthropies, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, Stuarts Seafood Market, Dan’s Independent Media, The Express News Group, Hamptons.com, and Purist are among the sponsors.
All can see the worthy performances and celebrity videos for free by registering on www.ellenhermanson.org. “Though we do hope our guests will look into their wallets and be generous in support of the foundation,” Ratner adds. “All the money we raise stays here in the East End for direct health care services for women, and sometimes even men.
“Breast cancer does not take a break because we’re in the middle of a pandemic. Women are still being diagnosed at the same rate as they were before. A breast cancer diagnosis throws your life into chaos. If you’re dealing with COVID-19 on top of that, you need our oncological social worker services even more. The Ellen Hermanson Center is open for screening, mammograms, diagnostic procedures and surgery if it’s necessary. This year, people can spend as little as $25 to honor our 25 years, which I think is a pretty terrific milestone. We have all kinds of levels of support in between, up to $10,000, which will help pay for the new ultrasound system.”
“More than ever, we need and appreciate your support, and wish you health and safety.”
For more information, visit www.ellenhermanson.org.
