Lily Safra was the 2008 Rita Hayworth Award recipient and the Hearst Corporation, Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer was the 2008 Corporate Award recipient.  Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and Allen Brill were the Gala Co- Chairs, and Rolex Watch USA, Inc. was Underwriting the Gala.  Muffie Potter Aston was the Sponsor Chair, Donna Dixon Aykroyd, Susan Hess and Anne R. Hearst McInerney were the Auction Co-Chairs, Nurit Kahane Haase was the Journal Chair, Hilary Dick and Andrea Stark were the Gift Bag Co-Chairs, Dennis Basso and Mark Locks were the Corporate Committee Co-Chairs and Karyn Kornfeld was the Associates Committee Co-Chair. 

The annual Rita Hayworth Gala is one of New York City’s most prestigious and successful fundraising events.  Over the past 24 years, the Rita Hayworth Galas in New York and Chicago have raised more than $50 million for Alzheimer’s Association care, support and research programs.  Princess Yasmin Aga Khan established the Gala in memory of her mother, Rita Hayworth, who suffered from the disease for many years before her death
in 1987.

The cocktail reception and silent auction for this black tie gala started at 6:30 p.m., followed by the award presentation, dinner and dancing at 7:30 p.m.  Support levels were as follows: Tables at $50,000, $35,000, $25,000, $12,500; Tickets at $5,000, $3,500, $2,500, $1,250.