One Night on the Intrepid: Two Amazing Events

About the Inaugural Pink Soirée

©2010 Sean Friedman

The decks of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum were the site for two memorable Komen Greater NYC events on October 28, 2010 — the 20th Anniversary Celebration and the Pink Soirée, the Affiliate’s first evening fundraiser.

The 20th Anniversary Celebration honored the people who have made Komen Greater NYC’s 20 years of service possible — our founders, past board members and former executive directors, as well as the team captains and volunteers who helped make the 20th annual Komen New York City Race for the Cure such a terrific success.

The Pink Soirée honored a corporation — JPMorgan Chase — and an individual — Blythe Masters — who have shown consistent commitment to Komen Greater NYC and our mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease.

“What a great way to celebrate 20 years of service — two events in one,” said Pnina Michelson, Komen Greater NYC Director of Special Events. “We held our first fundraising dinner at one end of the ship and thanked our inexhaustible and dedicated volunteers at the other end. It was a great night all around.”

20th Anniversary Celebration

More than 800 people gathered to honor those who have helped build Komen Greater NYC over the past 20 years, along with the 2010 Race team captains and volunteers. The evening was co-hosted by Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and Catering by Restaurant Associates.

Guests feasted on a sumptuous spread including a variety of sliders, macaroni salad, sweets and assorted beverages. Music was provided by DJ Scott. CBS 2 anchor and Komen Greater NYC board member Maurice DuBois emceed the evening’s program.

Among the people recognized onstage by DuBois were Affiliate co-founder and former board member Karen Borack, long-time volunteers Ellen Mandel, Bill and George Ann Garrison, Denise Richardson, Jeff Berman, the organizer of Three Miles of Men (from the time when men couldn’t participate in the Race) and Deborah Gordon and David Sall representing 20-year Race sponsor, 1010 WINS.

APART fashion show featuring breast cancer survivor models ©2010 Ken Levinson.

“As a 13 year-and-counting breast cancer survivor, I am endlessly inspired by the support and commitment of so many people to our vision of a world without breast cancer,” said Komen Greater NYC CEO Dara Richardson-Heron, MD. “This evening was a wonderful way to honor all those who have made our work possible — our founders, present and past board members, current and former staff, Race team captains, volunteers, and sponsors and donors.

“Without all their support, we would never have accomplished so much in the last 20 years. Without them, we would never be able to do all the things we do year in and year out.”

The highlight of the program was the ApartStyle.com Fashion Show. Apart’s fantastic clothing was modeled by both professionals and breast cancer survivors.

Attendees took advantage of the Sponsor Expo, which was chock full of giveaways and information. Those who bought raffle tickets had the opportunity to win fabulous prizes, helping to raise funds for Komen Greater NYC’s programs.

The evening’s sponsors included:

• Komen Pink Ribbon — Tri-State Ford Dealers
• Magenta Ribbon — American Airlines
• Fuchsia Ribbon — ApartStyle.com and Pillsbury Sugar Free
• Coral Ribbon — Ambit Energy, Breyers®, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Laser Cosmetica

Pink Soirée

Pink Ribbon honoree Blythe Masters, Maurice DuBois, Tinsley Mortimer and Dara Richardson-Heron, MD at the Pink Soiree. ©2010 Mark Jason Photography

The inaugural Pink Soirée fundraiser honored two of Komen Greater NYC’s most stalwart supporters — Blythe Masters (Pink Ribbon Individual Award) and JPMorgan Chase (Pink Ribbon Corporate Award).

“Blythe Masters has been an integral part of our board and our top individual Race fundraiser for five years,” said Richardson-Heron. “JPMorgan Chase has been a staunch supporter of our events since 1994, and its Race team has been #1 in fundraising for five years.

“The Pink Soirée was a perfect way to honor their commitment to our vision and celebrate 20 years of Komen Greater NYC accomplishments.”

The evening’s program was emceed by Emmy® and Golden Globe award-winning actor Jimmy Smits, also co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts. Smits was introduced by CBS2 anchor and Komen Greater NYC board member, Maurice DuBois.

Komen Greater NYC CEO Dara Richardson-Heron, MD spoke to those in attendance about the founding of Komen Greater NYC, its accomplishments and the work still ahead. She also spoke about Komen Greater NYC’s grant program and how it was helping to underwrite breast education, screening, treatment and support services for underserved women in the New York metropolitan area — a group whose numbers has increased due to the consequences of the economic crisis: layoffs and loss of health insurance.

Dr. Sabiha Raoof, representing one of Komen Greater NYC’s grantees — Flushing Hospital Medical Center — spoke to the attendees about the medical center’s program offering breast health outreach, education and screening to underserved Chinese, Korean and South Asian women.

Jimmy Smits, Pink Soiree emcee. ©2010 Ken Levinson

The Pink Ribbon Corporate Award was presented by fashion entrepreneur and television star Tinsley Mortimer to Ina Drew, Chief Investment Officer at JPMorgan Chase.

"On behalf of the entire JPMorgan Chase organization, we are both humbled and honored to be recognized and to have had the great pleasure of partnering with Komen Greater NYC for the past 16 years," said Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO. "I'm particularly proud of the hundreds of JPMorgan Chase employees who have supported Komen Greater NYC and its Race for the Cure, and would like to give a special thank you to Blythe Masters for championing this important work."

Dimon further thanked Masters for her efforts, noting that "her leadership, enthusiasm and dedication have inspired many colleagues and friends to participate in this important cause. ”Like anything that Blythe takes on, her commitment is 100%," he stated.

A video tribute to Masters was shown to guests prior to her receiving the Pink Ribbon Individual Award from Law & Order: SVU star Christopher Meloni.

"Like everything that Komen Greater NYC does, the Pink Soiree event served as a beacon of help for today, and hope for tomorrow, “said Masters. “It was both inspiring and a lot of fun to attend. I am privileged to lead the board for such an important and involved group, and I am very moved by Komen Greater NYC’s on-going dedication to the community."

The evening’s presenting sponsor was JPMorgan Chase. Other sponsors included:

• Emerald — Accenture
• Ruby — American Airlines and Tri-State Ford Dealers

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