Ovations For The Cure Presents Annual Awards At Night Of The Monarch Gala

Sept. 3, 2009 - PRLog -- Natick, MA--Ovations for the Cure, a national ovarian cancer organization, today announced its 2009 Night of the Monarch Gala award recipients. The Night of the Monarch event hosts the Fourth Annual Stuart Weitzman Fashion Show with jewelry designs by A.M. Deprisco Wellesley, and is being held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Westin Boston Waterfront. The evening, sponsored by SBLI, will not only pay tribute to Ovations for the Cure founder, Patricia Franchi Flaherty, but will honor all who face ovarian cancer as well as those who have succumbed to the disease.

This event will commemorate National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by showcasing the recognition and awareness that Ovations for the Cure has brought to ovarian cancer, as well as acknowledging those who are making strides to change the future of the disease. Three prestigious awards will be presented to individuals who have made a difference in the ovarian cancer community through the advancement of ovarian cancer research, awareness and patient programs.

Dr. Ross Berkowitz will be awarded the inaugural Patty Franchi Flaherty Research Award for his crucial advancements in the research and understanding of early genetic changes in the development of ovarian cancer. Dr. Berkowitz is a specialist in gynecologic cancer and served as Patty Franchi Flaherty’s surgeon during her long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

The first Patty Franchi Flaherty Awareness Award will be presented to 16-year old Molly McGaffigan of Groton, Mass. McGaffigan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 15, when a routine physical uncovered a ten-pound tumor on one of her ovaries. Molly is turning her own experience into a mission to spread awareness of ovarian cancer to high school and college-age women. Her message, which focuses on knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer, lets young women know that the disease does not discriminate – women of all ages are at risk. To date, McGaffigan has already helped raise over $8,000 for Ovations for the Cure’s awareness brochure program.

International shoe and handbag designer, Stuart Weitzman, will be awarded the first Patty Franchi Flaherty Patient Program Award for his efforts to support the Happy Feet Program at Ovations for the Cure. The Happy Feet Program provides ovarian cancer patients with a complimentary pair of specially designed Stuart Weitzman jelly shoes as a gift from Ovations for the Cure. The shoes help these women through their battle with ovarian cancer by making them feel special and letting them know they are not alone in their journey.

Tickets are being sold starting at $150 at www.nightofthemonarch.org. This majestic, black tie-optional gala will allow guests the opportunity to mingle with local celebrities, including guest stylist Gretta Monahan, honorary speaker Joyce Kulhawik, and emcee of the night, Beth Shelburne. Guests will take part in live and silent auctions of luxury gift packages, play Butterfly Games to win extravagant prizes, and dance the night away. Current supporters include 5s PR, A.M. Deprisco Wellesley,  A Weekly Affair, Anthony & Connie Franchi, Atlantic Graphics, Avant Garde Events, Barefoot Wines, Cedar Lawn,  Closet Fetish, David Paul Salons, D. S Yarckin Electronic Inc.,  Friends of Mel Foundation, Genentech, Gretta Style, Maggie Inc., Morphotek, NECN, Paul Flaherty Plumbing, Sabre Imagery, Simon Malls, Stuart Weitzman, The Metro, and Twinbrook Insurance.   



About Ovations for the Cure:
Ovations for the Cure, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to the relentless pursuit of a cure for ovarian cancer in three critical ways. First, by providing critical funding of new and ongoing ovarian cancer research and treatment initiatives. Second, by actively increasing the awareness of the subtle signs and symptoms of this silent disease. Third, by giving hope, education and comfort to those currently battling ovarian cancer through its patient programs. The organization was founded in 2006 by nine-year ovarian cancer survivor Patricia Franchi Flaherty, who also lost her mother to the disease. Patty decided to dedicate her life to raising awareness of the risk factors and subtle warning signs of this often overlooked women’s cancer so no other women would have to endure what she did. For more information about Ovations, please visit www.ovationsforthecure.org.

About Dr. Ross Berkowitz:
Dr. Berkowitz received his MD from Boston University in 1973 and completed residency training in surgery at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. He trained in obstetrics and gynecology at the Boston Hospital for Women, where he completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology. He joined the faculty of Brigham and Women's Hospital in 1980, and is the director of the Gynecologic Oncology Program at Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare.

About Molly McGaffigan:
Molly McGaffigan is a 16-year-old, three-sport athlete from Groton, Mass., who has used her diagnosis and survival with ovarian cancer, as a lesson for other girls her age. As a true team player on and off the field, Molly has taken every chance to spread the awareness of ovarian cancer, and the importance of catching the disease in the early stages. This normal, shy teenager has become an advocate and ambassador for Ovations for the Cure, by sharing her message to other girls her age. She wants others to know to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and to trust your own body. Molly has fully recovered from her surgery to remove the cancer, and is preparing for her junior year of high school at Bishop Guertin in Nashua, NH.

About Stuart Weitzman:
Stuart Weitzman grew up as an apprentice to his father, following his guidance in the shoe business in Long Island, NY, studying every aspect of the business from designing to selling. Weitzman graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, with the idea to work on Wall Street. However, after his father’s unexpected death about a year later, Stuart and his older brother took over their father’s company, Mr. Seymour.  Over the years, the company underwent several changes including being sold to Caressa, Inc.—which moved production to Spain where Stuart’s factories still are today.  Stuart remained president of the Mr. Seymour division and the company eventually seamlessly became Stuart Weitzman, Inc. In 2005, Stuart Weitzman, Inc. partnered with Irving Place Capital.  This partnership poses the company for major expansion—initially through the opening of retail stores worldwide and the creation of a handbag division.

About SBLI:
SBLI, Savings Bank Life Insurance, was established in Massachusetts in 1907 and has its headquarters in Woburn, MA. SBLI sells its products in more than 30 states and dominates in issuing insurance coverage and policies in its home state of Massachusetts. SBLI offers affordable term life insurance, in addition to whole life and fixed annuities. SBLI’s insurance professionals can help customers assess their needs, determine the amount and type of insurance needed, and answer questions customers may have. To learn more about SBLI, please visit www.sbli.com or call 888-GET-SBLI.