Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s “A Hamptons Happening” Raises Over $500,000

When Bobby Zarin was diagnosed with thyroid cancer six years ago, he found he had a secret weapon: his wife Jill. Jill’s secret weapon: Dr. Samuel Waxman. Hamptons.com caught up with Jill at the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s 11th Annual “A Hamptons Happening,” honoring Bobby, Sun Capital Partners Co-CEO Marc J. Leder and St. John’s Fabrics, at the home of Maria and Kenneth Fishel.

Marc Leder. (Photo: Pam Deutchman for Society-In-Focus)

Reality star turned entrepreneur/actress, Jill’s world was rocked when, six years ago, Bobby, Zarin Fabrics Chairman and real estate developer, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Since then, Jill has run Bobby’s medical care like a CEO. From Memorial Sloan Kettering to the Mayo Clinic Primary Care Physician Dr. Vidya Valada to sea cucumber supplements, Jill’s commitment to “keeping Bobby healthy and living a normal life” is boundless. By her side through it all, pouring over test results and treatment protocols has been Waxman.

“We met Sam and Marion on a cruise ship with my parents and we struck up a friendship,” Jill told us. “I asked him for help and he became a consiglieri of sorts, managing all the information that was coming in. With cancer, often if you ask different people what to do, you’re going to get different answers. The more opinions and information, the more questions. Although Sam is not officially part of Bobby’s medical team, he has been guiding and explaining everything to us in layman terms.”

The Zarin’s recently shared their story with People Magazine, with an unexpected result. “Andy Sabin, a friend, called to say he had no idea and wanted to connect us to the President of the Board of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, a phenomenal institution,” noted Jill. “When you keep things a secret, people who might be able to help you don’t know. After the fact, it’s too late. There’s no benefit to keeping things private, except ego. I found by sharing, we’re not only helping people, but they’re helping us.”

“A Hamptons Happening” co-founders Marion Waxman and Laurie Schaffran chaired the even with Michael Trokel and Pamela Morgan. CBS anchor Chris Wragge was the evening’s emcee. Additional chairpersons included Jessica Cohen as auction chair, Kara Council as marketing chair, Erica Fineberg as journal chair, Sarah Sarpolis as PR and social media chair and Christine Silverstein as chefs chair. “A Hamptons Happening” committee included Karen Amster-Young, Chris Arlotta, Tammy Caress, Maria Fishel, Kenneth Fishel, Jennifer Gould Keil, Adrienne Kantor, Robert Kantor, Marcia Lavipour, Jessica Mackin, Mario Pecoraro, Edward Sadovnik, Jamie Safier, Bettina Waxman, Spencer Waxman, and Jill Zarin.

Financial sponsorships were provided by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, Northern Trust, Palm Bay International, St. John, Sun Capital Partners, Inc. and Spencer and Bettina Waxman. Beer, wine and spirits were provided by Ommegang Beer, Palm Bay International Wines and Double Cross Vodka, respectively. Attendees enjoyed music from hot New York DJ Super Dave provided by Allen Dalton Production and event production was by LBS Productions.

For more information, visit www.waxmancancer.org.