PALM BEACH – Olivia
Newton-John and husband John Easterling
delighted guests and
reinforced the importance of
medical research when the Palm Beach Friends of
the Schepens Eye Research Institute, an
affiliate of Harvard Medical School, presented
the 2009 “Vision of Beauty” luncheon in
the Grand Ballroom at the
Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The event raised
almost $120,000 for eye research at the
Institute.
A special highlight of the
event was a fashion presentation by Neiman
Marcus Palm Beach, featuring fashions by guest
designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka who
attended the luncheon.
Considered to be the kickoff
of the Palm Beach social season, the event
included a reception with a silent auction and
boutique of Judith Ripka Jewelry and Judith
Leiber handbags, as well as a raffle for a
shopping spree at Neiman Marcus Palm Beach.
Kenneth M.
Fischer, president and chief operating officer
of the Institute, presented an update on the
ongoing research at the Institute.
Kathryn Vecellio and Judith
Murat Grubman were honorary chairmen of the
event and Herme′ deWyman Miro was grand honorary
chairman. Laurie Silvers served as Mar-a-Lago
host sponsor.
“Our guests were
thrilled to meet Olivia Newton-John and her
husband John Easterling, who spoke personally
about their own interest in medical research. A
breast cancer survivor, and the granddaughter of
German Nobel Prize winner and atomic physicist
Max Born, Olivia Newton-John has a wellness
center in Australia that bears her name.
Easterling’s firm, Amazon Herb Co., has created
nutritional products from the Amazon, including
Zamu, which was served during the luncheon’s
reception.
“Ms. Newton-John is
impressive for many reasons,” explained Mrs.
Vecellio. “She is a shining example of how a
celebrity can raise awareness about the value of
research and its impact on public health. And
her husband has been credited with bringing
ecological and educational programs to the
people of the Amazon.”
Ms. Newton-John spoke at the
event on the importance of research and women’s
health initiatives globally. The Institute
addresses the needs of 2.3 million visually
impaired women. In fact, nearly two out
of three people who are blind or visually
impaired across the globe are female. Because
75% of blindness and visual impairment is
treatable or preventable, the Institute is
poised to make a significant impact in the lives
of women throughout the world.
Chairmen for this year’s
event include: Colleen Bain, Linda
Salandra-Dweck, Sandra Krakoff, Kay Lyons, Anne
Moran, Monika Preston, Nancy Raquet, Laurie
Silvers and Andrea Stark.
Committee members include:
Dusty Aronsohn, Candide Booth, Rosalie Cohen,
Caroline Collings, Marilyn Connor, Judi Donoff,
Mary Freitas, Connie Frankino, Arlette Godon,
Cheryl Gowdy, Jerre Gowdy, Cathy Henry, Patricia
Herlihy, Darlene Jordan, Susan Keenan, Michele
Kessler, Pieternel Knollenberg, Patricia Lebow,
Cheryl Marshman, Donna Marzano, Toby Muss,
Beverly Myers, Aileen Newquist, Sharon O’Neil,
Anka Palitz, Beth Pine, Diana Powell, Joan G.
Rubin, Julie Rudolph, Marsha Snyder, Joanne
Stringer, Tina Therrien, Dyanne Tosi, Cherie
Toufanian and Babbette Wolff.
Sponsors for this
year’s luncheon include benefactors Beth Pine,
Vice President and General Manager, Neiman
Marcus Palm Beach and Palm Beach Society
Magazine.
More information
on Schepens Eye Research Institute is available
by phone toll-free at 1-877-724-3736 or online
at
www.schepens.harvard.edu
.