The North Fork Breast Health Coalition will again celebrate breast-cancer survivors, providers, and caregivers at its Annual Pink Pearl Gala. Due to health crisis concerns, the sixth annual event that was originally scheduled for March 2020, will now take place on April 8. The cocktail reception, seated dinner, and dancing to music by Phil Schmidt of Make Some Noise DJs will be held from 6 to 10 PM at East Wind Long Island in Wading River.
During this year’s gala, the North Fork Breast Health Coalition will honor the Peconic River Sportsman’s Club with the Community Spirit Award. For the past seven years, the club has held annual events open to the public that have raised many thousands of dollars for Long Island breast cancer coalitions. In addition, Keri Lynn Stromski of Jamesport, who valiantly fought Stage IV breast cancer, will receive the inaugural Medal of Honor posthumously. Her family is expected to accept the award.
The Pink Pearl Underwriter of this year’s gala is the Simmons Point Group of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, led by Gary Lukachinski, CFP.
Last year, a new tradition was started in lieu of the usual celebration. The North Fork Breast Health Coalition held a safely-distanced Pink Pearl Raffle at the organization’s office at 185 Old Country Road in Riverhead, over several days. This year, the gift baskets can be previewed and tickets purchased beforehand at the office from April 1 to 3, as well as during the gala. Individuals who cannot attend the gala can still participate in the raffle, which benefits the Keri Lynn Stromski Stage IV Breast Cancer Research and Support Fund.
The North Fork Breast Health Coalition is currently led by McEvoy Zuhoski. She replaced Susan Ruffini, who retired as president after serving five years. The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization supports local breast-cancer patients with programs such as Helping Hand grants. Beginning last year, NFBHC also funds Stage IV research at select laboratories. Proceeds from this event will also allow the group to continue to provide free services such as gentle yoga, reflexology, massage therapy, and support groups to breast-cancer patients and survivors.
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.
Seating for the inspiring, wear-pink or -teal event will be available for $125 per person and $95 for breast-cancer survivors through northforkbreasthealth.org. To reserve individual seating or reserve tables for a group, leave a message at the coalition office in Riverhead at 631-208-8889. For information about corporate sponsorship opportunities or contributing to a gift basket, contact the event chair, Melanie McEvoy Zuhoski, at 917-699-5948 or nfbreasthealth@gmail.com.