The 12th Annual A Hamptons Happening marked the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) by noted oncologist and cancer researcher Samuel Waxman, MD. The benefit, which took place on Saturday, July 9th, 2016 at the residence of Maria and Kenneth Fishel, featuring 140 of the top chefs and restaurants in New York City and the Hamptons. The event was hosted by CBS 2 News anchor Chris Wragge and honored Sandra Lee, philanthropist, Emmy winning television personality, New York Times best-selling author and breast cancer survivor; Jayma Cardoso, Founder of the Surf Lodge in Montauk; and Deirdre Quinn, CEO of the luxury fashion company Lafayette 148 New York.

The event was resplendent in floral beauty thanks to Flower Box Wall Gardens, which designed striking installations displayed throughout the venue, most dramatically a gardenlike step-and-repeat that brought a fresh twist to red carpet arrivals, and overall floral décor was provided by Designs by Mark Masone. Adding wonder to the benefit were costumed performers from the National Circus Project, an arts-in-education program, who posed for photos with guests while balanced on stilts and performed tricks for the crowd. An online fundraiser held by Tabooze (www.gettabooze.com), a sugar-free and calorie-free cocktail mixer, raised over $7,000 for A Hamptons Happening in the weeks preceding the event.

Deirdre Quinn, Sandra Lee, Jayma Cardoso (Photo Credit: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)

SWCRF founder and CEO Dr. Samuel Waxman and Chris Wragge took to the stage to introduce this year’s honorees and host the live auction. Wragge, hosting A Hamptons Happening for the sixth consecutive year, thanked the audience for attending the event and for contributing to the work of the SWCRF, providing a brief overview of the Foundation’s funded research programs

Following the opening remarks, honoree Sandra Lee captivated the audience with a powerful testimonial of her high-profile battle with breast cancer last year. She said she is cancer free and credited the medical team at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York for their excellent treatment of her.

Chris Wragge then presided over an exciting live auction that included exclusive items such as an exciting package for two to see the Tony Award-nominated hit show “Hamilton” that included dinner with two cast members and more; a Dominican Republic Getawaypackage; an Ultimate Spa Package at Canyon Ranch; a Cloud Catering & Events packet, featuring a dinner for 8 prepared by a Michelin-starred chef; and a Dinner for 10 By the World Renowned Chef at Rao’s in New York.