 |
Marvin Hamlisch and Gary Mauer performed an original song written for the occasion. (Lee Fryd) |
New York City - Money can't guarantee cancer survival. But, all too often, you need it for the chance. Watching clips from
Perri Peltz's documentary on the inequality of breast cancer care, the emotion was palpable in the American Cancer Society's Celebration of Life Spring Benefit at the St Regis Roof. Only one of the two women in the documentary who faced breast cancer together - the one who had the means to fight it - was still alive to be there.
Peltz and
David Patrick Columbia were being honored.
Marvin Hamlisch and 'Phantom' star
Gary Mauer performed.
Paula Zahn emceed. Also on stage
Charlotte Ford,
Jon Meacham and Special Events Volunteer Chairman
Diana K. Feldman.
"The Education of
Dee Dee Ricks," Peltz's documentary featured at the TriBeCa film festival and slated for HBO, follows Ricks, the woman who "had it all" and fellow breast cancer patient Cynthia, a woman who couldn't afford health insurance. She was diagnosed too late. Those in the room fell into the first category. Now, they were reminded of the good their money could buy. "When you're poor and have cancer, it is almost a lethal combination,"
Dr. Harold Freeman who runs the
Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in Harlem, said on screen. "This is not just a medical but a moral challenge." The funds raised that night would go to the Hope Lodge, where patients and their family caregivers from all over the world can stay for free to get lifesaving techniques unavailable elsewhere. "The battle isn't just fought in the research labs, but in the community.
 |
Dee Dee Ricks, Dr. Harold Freeman and Peri Peltz. (Lee Fryd) |
Man of Achievement Award recipient Columbia, understood that message. What was his achievement other than meeting his nightly
New York Social Diary deadline, he mused. The unspoken understanding - by lending his name, he can fill a room and raise funds. In the 18 years he has helped glamorize philanthropy with his Diary column, and
Quest and
Avenue stories, he said he probably covered 1,400 charitable events. And, unlike the growing billion dollar gossip industry, DPC flourishes without muckraking. His are entertaining society vignettes told by an insider - good stories and well written.
And so, he reminded the room, whether you write a check, or wash pots and pans in Mother Theresa's hospice, every contribution counts.
Guest from NJ says:
So wonderful that these people want to give their money for a great cause: fighting this deadly disease. Unfortunately their money is doing nothing to halt cancer, just create more expensive treatments. Maybe if they put it toward the prevention, we'd all be a lot better off.