The Ellen Hermanson Foundation was established in 1997 to honor the memory of Ellen Hermanson and carry on the important work of her as an activist and an advocate. Ellen used her journalistic talents to become a strong voice for breast cancer patients and their families. The foundation is unique in its devotion to helping breast cancer patients and their families cope with the physical changes and emotional aspects of breast cancer by focusing on educational outreach and psychosocial support.
The Ellen Hermanson Foundation’s founding chairs Emily Levin Esq. and Julie Ratner Ed. D held their 20th annual gala on June 20th to celebrate their achievements and to honor Andy Sabin for his environmental and philanthropic work. Chaired by Jean Shafiroff and hosted by Fox Meteorologist Audrey Puente, the duo welcomed over 300 guests to photographer, Steven Klein‘s Westkill Farm in Bridgehampton for a night of dinner and dancing to the sounds of Audrey’s brother, Tito Puente Jr. & his 10-piece band.
Guests including Homeland actress Amy Hargreaves, who arrived with the artist Bentley Meeker, Rosalie Puente, Hope Kramer, Bobbie Braun, Robert Chaloner President of Southampton Hospital, Mark Epley Mayor of Southampton, and his wife Marianne, Fred Thiele Assemblyman, and Hope Klein Langer, arrived and were driven to the tent in golf carts.
Midway through the event, Julie Ratner thanked attendees and supporters and let them know that The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital had provided 6,000 mammograms in 2014 alone, and an additional 360 mammograms to women that were uninsured. Julie then read a letter from Gini Booth, a patient who had recently been re-diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at the Breast Center. Scarlett Magda, DVM, then introduced Andy Sabin by reading a letter from Susan and David Rockefeller that highlighted Sabin’s dedication to the environment and philanthropy, before Julie presented Andy with a crystal-healing bowl on behalf of the Foundation.
Andy handed over a check for $10,000 to the Foundation on stage, in addition to the $10,000 he had donated. The gala was a huge success as Jean Shafiroff then thanked the foundation for the work they have done over the past 20 years for women in the East End, before welcoming Robert Chaloner to the stage who said that the Breast Center, which just celebrated the opening of a dedicated entrance, is the “jewel in the hospital’s crown.”
At the end of the event, a live auction was held where items including a private dinner in your home from Chef Peter Ambrose, and a golf session for four at the Sebonack Golf Club, were auctioned with the Foundation raising over $30,000.
