Pink Pearl Gala Raises $100K for Local Breast Cancer Patients

Founded in 1998, the North Fork Breast Health Coalition commemorated the non-profit organization’s 25th Anniversary while celebrating breast-cancer survivors and thrivers, providers and caregivers at the NFBHC Annual Pink Pearl Gala, which was held Friday, May 5, from 6-10 PM at East Wind Long Island, Wading River. A record 350 guests including about 50 survivors enjoyed the cocktail reception, raffles, seated dinner, and dancing to music by Phil Schmidt of Make Some Noise DJs. Moreover, a record $100,000 was raised for breast cancer patients, according to President Melanie McEvoy Zuhoski, chair of the gala since its inception.

During this year’s gala, the North Fork Breast Health Coalition honored Dr. Alison Stopeck -- Chief, Division of Hematology and Oncology, and Associate Director, Clinical & Translational Research, Stony Brook Cancer Center; and Dr. Iris Zhi -- Regional Care Network Site Director, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Both doctors treat Stage IV thrivers from the NFBHC service area. Each of them accepted a Stage IV Champion Award. As leaders in metastatic cancer research, Stopeck and Zhi had previously received “Keri Lynn Stromski Stage IV Breast Cancer Research and Support Fund” grants from NFBHC to help fund their Stage IV research laboratories.

The Pink Pearl Underwriter of this year’s gala was the Simmons Point Group of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, led by Gary Lukachinski, CFP. This is the third consecutive year that the company has sponsored the gala at the top level. With an office in Riverhead, the Simmons Point Group is an experienced group of financial professionals at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC—one of the nation’s most prestigious investment firms.

Dr. David Mangiameli, Surgical Oncology & Oncoplastic Breast Surgery, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists, showed his substantial individual support this year. For the first time, he participated as a Pearl Sponsor, the third level of sponsorship. On the following level, Pink Table sponsors included Apple Honda, Mattituck Lions Club, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York Cancer & Blood Specialists and Stromski Architecture P.C.

Two years ago, a new tradition was started. Taking health concerns into consideration, the North Fork Breast Health Coalition held a Pink Pearl Raffle at the organization’s office, 185 Old Country Road, Riverhead, over several days. This year, again, the gift baskets could be previewed and raffle tickets purchased beforehand as well as during the gala. Individuals not attending the gala could still participate in the gala raffle, which alone raised about $20,000 for the NFBHC Keri Lynn Stromski Stage IV Breast Cancer Research and Support Fund, according to Raffle Coordinator BeeJay Ferrucci.

The North Fork Breast Health Coalition is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that supports local breast-cancer patients with programs such as Helping Hand grants. Beginning in 2021, NFBHC also funds Stage IV research at select laboratories (see above). Proceeds from this event also allows the group to continue to provide free services such as gentle yoga, reflexology, massage therapy and “Strength for Life” exercise classes to breast-cancer patients and survivors. They can also receive free hats, scarves, wigs and protheses from the Rita Duva Boutique at the organization’s office.

Ann Cotten-DeGrasse and her late husband, Antonio, founded NFBHC in 1998 because they saw a great need for such an organization on the North Fork, where there is an especially high rate of diagnosis of the disease. A retired teacher, Ann has also served as president of the Riverhead School Board. The gala was named for the late Pearl Philindas, a past president of the coalition. For more information, visit http://www.northforkbreasthealth.org.