On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, The American Cancer Society (ACS) New York Chapter honored Perri Peltz and David Patrick Columbia at the St. Regis Roof with a black tie dinner dance. The event benefited the ACS’s four-year old Hope Lodge, a home away from home for cancer patients from outside the New York area who are in the City for treatment.
Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize winning author and executive editor and executive vice-president of Random House, presented Ms. Peltz with the Humanitarian Award. Charlotte Ford presented the Man of Achievement Award to Mr. Columbia.
Ms. Peltz was recognized with gratitude for the extraordinary and tireless work she is doing as a journalist and a public health advocate. She has had an immeasurable, positive impact in the community that complements the American Cancer Society’s efforts to bring to the forefront such critical issues as access to care and patient navigation, especially for the uninsured and underserved community. Ms. Peltz showed two clips from her documentary, “The Education of Dee Dee Ricks,” that addresses those issues.
Mr. Columbia is editor and co-founder of the popular website New York Social Diary as well as an editor at Quest magazine. He was celebrated for the impact his coverage has had on the New York philanthropic community. His attention has brought more people into the giving-to-others community. In his acceptance, Mr. Columbia said that everyone in the ballroom deserved the award because they give with time, energy and money to help those less fortunate.
Marvin Hamlisch entertained with a musical selection from “A Chorus Line.” He followed with a song he composed for the American Cancer Society, “Soon,” sung by Gary Mauer. The song looks forward to the time when everyone can celebrate winning the battle against cancer.
The co-chairmen of the evening were Gigi and Harry Benson, Diana and Richard Feldman, Charlotte Ford, Brenda and Howard Johnson, Margo Langenberg, Jean and Martin Shafiroff and Barbara and Donald Tober.
Among the guests were: Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Evelyn Lauder, Cynthia and Dan Lufkin, Muffie Potter Aston, Richard Ziegelasch, Kathy and Don Distasio, Francine LeFrak and Rick Friedberg, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Lauren and John Veronis, Sherri and Joe Abruzzese, Dr. Harold Freeman, Sara and Charles Ayres, Sharon Bush, Hilary and Joseph Califano, Laura and Harry Slatkin, Bonnie Comley and Stewart Lane, Arlene Dahl and Marc Rosen, Cece Cord, Ralph Destino, Alexandra Lebenthal and Jay Diamond, Lynn and Steve Jacobson, Robert Caravaggi, Anne Graber, David Graber, Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, Yaz and Valentin Hernandez, Jackie Weld Drake, Jeffrey Hirsch, Rochelle Hirsch, Sassy Johnson, Ann and Arnold Jurdem, Emilia Saint-Amand and Fred Krimendahl, Dahlia and Lawrence Leeds, Suzanne Mados, David Staller, Anita Jaffe, Sandra McConnell and Chris Obetz, Grace and Chris Meigher, Judy Price, Eric Ruttenberg, Mady Schuman, Suzette Smith, Topsy Taylor and Drs. Lynn and Avi Barbasch.
For many cancer patients, treatment at New York City's medical centers offers the greatest hope, but that means patients must leave their home, adding the burden of travel and lodging. Hope Lodge provides 60 private home-like, guest rooms. Each guest floor includes a community kitchen and dining area, a quiet lounge and laundry facilities. And, it is totally free to patients and their caregivers.
|
