On June 21, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation held their annual Summer Solstice to honor Robert Chaloner, President and CEO of Southampton Hospital and Jean Shafiroff, for her philanthropic work.  400 guests were in attendance and the beautiful evening raised over $200,000 for the foundation!

Starting at 6pm, a small group enjoyed a champagne reception and tour of the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at the Southampton Hospital. Attendees witnessed the unveiling of ‘The Martin and Jean Shafiroff Examination Room’, and the donation of two beautiful Pink Dogwood trees in honor of Chuck and Ellen Scarborough for the new center entrance upon its opening. The Shafiroff’s and the Scarborough’s names, and those of Robert Chaloner and his husband, Oscar Mandez were all added to the centers Wall of Honor.

Following the tour, guests joined the gala at Chuck and Ellen Scarborough’s home for cocktails and canapés before the speeches began. Chuck Scarborough spoke first about the meaning of the Summer Solstice and how different communities have engaged with the date, from ancient cultures to present day. He also spoke movingly about his sister who was lost to breast cancer, before inviting the foundation’s co-founders Dr. Julie Ratner and Emily Levin, ESQ to speak. The pair spoke about their sister’s passing and how much the foundation has managed to achieve with Southampton Hospital through the support, grace and professionalism of the honorees and supporters. Finally Robert Chaloner spoke for a few minutes about the creation of the Breast Center before Jean Shafiroff, wearing a pink gown to align with the cause, closed the speeches with poignant and articulate remarks about the importance of the foundation and the work they do.

Guests in attendance included: Julie Ratner, Emily Levin, Martin and Jean Shafiroff, Robert Chaloner and Oscar Mandez, Chuck and Ellen Scarborough, Sharon Bush, Steve Burns, Lilliana Cavendish, Dr. Penny Grant, Peter and Jamee Gregory, Deborah Halford, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Elsie McCabe Thompson, Patrick McMullan, Nancy Stone and Ike Ude.

The Ellen Hermanson Foundation was established in 1997 to honor the memory of Ellen Hermanson and carry on the important work to which she devoted so much of her time and energy. An activist and an advocate, Ellen channeled her journalistic talents to become a forceful voice for breast cancer patients and their families. She educated her readers about the importance of early detection, the challenges of living with breast cancer, the very real, but little-discussed or understood, issue of pain management, and the debilitating effects of breast cancer on the entire family.

The forthcoming Ellen’s Run on August 17 taking place at Southampton Hospital at 9am is another fundraising vehicle for the Foundation and an annual 5K (3.1-mile) race. An innovative, grassroots event, held on the East End of Long Island, Ellen’s Run both draws on the strength of the local community, and gives back to it, in the form of local projects, the bulk of the money raised. Proceeds from Ellen’s Run also support the new Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital and Ellen’s Well, a program that provides psychosocial support for breast cancer survivors on Long Island’s East End under the leadership of a specially trained certified social worker.

For further information please visit http://www.ellensrun.org