New Grantees Receive a Rousing Welcome at Breakfast in Their Honor

Outgoing Board chair Blythe Masters receives flowers to thank her for six years of service.
© 2012 Mark Jason Photography.
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The Grand Ballroom of the Hilton New York was filled with 450 Board members, sponsors, event committee members, volunteers, Race team captains and participants, and Komen Greater NYC supporters to welcome the Affiliate’s 2012 grantees.

The Grantees’ Breakfast: Keeping the Promise began with an expo, which allowed attendees to become personally acquainted with the amazing work done by Komen Greater NYC grantees – community-based organizations that provide education and outreach, screening coordination, and support and treatment to underserved New Yorkers.

The morning began with a moving video excerpt of a talk by Bridget Spence, breast cancer survivor and Komen advocate. Spence was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at the age of 21. Her emotional story reminded everyone in the room about what Komen and Komen Greater NYC is doing every day and about the work still to be done

Mary Calvi, anchor of CBS 2 This Morning and CBS 2 News at Noon, hosted the morning’s program. CBS 2 is a long-time supporter of Komen Greater NYC.

• Board chair Blythe Masters spoke about the importance of the Affiliate’s work and introduced incoming Board chair, Laila Worrell, who thanked Masters for her six years of service to Komen Greater NYC, for which Masters received a standing ovation.
• Robin Costa, Senior Director of Human Resources at Duane Reade spoke about the importance of the partnership with Komen Greater NYC and what it meant to Duane Reade and Walgreens
• Ivy Gamble Cobb, Komen Greater NYC Board member and Chair of the Grants, Policy and Education Committee, introduced the Grantee of the Year – Richmond University Medical Center – honored for its Breast Health Patient Navigator Enhancements program. Marion Smith, RN, OCN, MS accepted the award.
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• Elizabeth Vargas, breast cancer survivor, spoke about her experiences as a Richmond University Medical Center patient.

The high point of the morning was the introduction of the 2012 grantees. All 37 grantees were invited up onstage. As Ivy Gamble Cobb read off the names of the grantees, a representative from each grantee received a plaque from Anita McFarlane, MPH, Komen Greater NYC Director of Grants & Public Policy. The audience responded by giving the group a rousing ovation.

“It was very moving to see the response of the crowd to the grantees,” said McFarlane. “They deserve the accolades. These organizations are on the front lines every day making sure that women who need it have access to screening, treatment and support services regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, immigration status, physical disability or sexual orientation.”

Attendees left fired up, ready for the upcoming Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure^® on Sunday, September 9 in Central Park in the hopes of bringing in more dollars than ever before so there can be even more grantees in 2013.

The event sponsors included Duane Reade (Promise Champion) and Meadows Office Furniture Co. (Promise Keeper).

The 2012 class of Komen Greater NYC grantees onstage.
© 2012 Mark Jason Photography

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