SweetCharity: Pink Pearl Gala

Photo by Kristin L. Gray

At the Pink Pearl Gala on March 20, the North Fork Breast Health Coalition recognized gastroenterologist Dr. Joseph M. Duva with the first Pink Pearl Spirit Award. Despite snow on the first evening of spring, the party started on schedule with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails followed by dinner, awards and dancing until 10 PM in the ballroom at East Wind. About 180 people enjoyed the inaugural event. Event Chair Melanie McEvoy estimated that the event raised nearly $50,000 through tickets, raffles and sponsorship. Eastern Long Island Hematology Oncology was a Pearl Sponsor. With offices in Riverhead and Southampton, the practice includes Doctors Louis J. Avvento, Alexander Zuhoski and Deepali Sharma. Platinum sponsors included the Seafield Center, at the request of Anita Young, and Tanger Outlets, represented by Janine Nebons, who accepted the Pink Pearl Corporate Leadership Award. The gala was named for Pearl Philindas, past president of the North Fork Breast Health Coalition, who passed away last year. She was honored posthumously with the first Pink Pearl Community Service Award. Her daughter, Conny Morazan, accepted the award on her behalf. Many of the gala guests not only wore the traditional pink, but also donned necklaces of pink pearls in Pearl's honor. Ann Cotton-DeGrasse and Antonio DeGrasse founded the North Fork Breast Health Coalition in 1998. Currently led by Susan Ruffini, the all-volunteer, non-profit organization supports local breast-cancer patients with programs such as the Helping Hand grants. Funds raised by the gala will also allow the group to continue to provide free services such as yoga, massage therapy, reflexology and support groups to breast-cancer patients and survivors. For more information about the North Fork Breast Health Coalition and the services that the organization provides to breast-cancer patients and survivors who reside (or are being treated by doctors) in the North Fork area, call the coalition office in Riverhead at 631-208-8889 or visit www.northforkbreasthealth.org.

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