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The
Promise Fund hosted its annual Major
Donor Dinner & Awards Celebration at
Club Colette on March 10, 2025 that
brought together donors, corporate
sponsors, supporters and friends to
celebrate the organization’s life-saving
work in women’s healthcare. The event,
themed “Pedal to the Metal: Racing
Towards Lifesaving Cancer Screenings and
Care,” was chaired by Julie Fisher
Cummings, Paulette Koch, Diane and John
Sculley, and Laurie Silvers.
Olga Villaverde, host of PBS’s Health
Channel, who emceed the evening’s
proceedings welcomed the guests and
introduced Board Chairman David Brodsky,
who proposed a celebratory toast of
gratitude for the dedication and support
of those in attendance.
“Thanks to your generosity, over 14,000
under-resourced women have received
vital mammograms and cervical
screenings, ensuring access to essential
care for all,” Brodsky said.
At the podium, Ambassador Nancy G.
Brinker, Co-founder and President of the
Promise Fund, highlighted its role as a
model for healthcare access, recognized
by State and Federal governments. “We’ve
guided over 47,000 women to critical
care, but much more remains,” she said.
“With our partners, we’ll keep expanding
to ensure no woman is left behind.”
The evening marked a leadership
milestone with the introduction of the
Promise Fund’s new CEO, Audrey Brown.
Since joining in December, Brown has
embraced the mission, stating, “Our
community-driven model works. This year,
we’re tripling our impact by expanding
our pilot program to three more
Federally Qualified Health Centers in
South Florida, reaching more women than
ever."
The presentation of the awards was a
moving highlight, with each recipient
honored through touching tribute videos
that showcased their impact and
dedication. The Daniel E. Ponton
Excellence in Community Service Award
was presented to Nicki Harris, a
dedicated philanthropist, advocate and
longtime family friend, by Eric Brinker,
Chairman of the Board’s Marketing
Committee, who praised Harris’s
unwavering commitment to public health
and women’s empowerment.
Between award presentations, Villaverde
introduced Dr. Michael Zinner, CEO and
Executive Medical Director of Miami
Cancer Institute and Baptist Health
Cancer Care, who emphasized Baptist
Health’s commitment to transforming
cancer care and its proud partnership
with the Promise Fund.
“As Promise Fund’s exclusive healthcare
partner, we stand with them in expanding
access to screenings and care. Our
experts work tirelessly to advance
cancer treatment. Every community should
have a Promise Fund—because together, we
can make a real impact, as we have right
here in South Florida,” Zinner said.
Next, auctioneer Sebastian Clarke
conducted a live auction of exclusive
items that included a character naming
opportunity in a James Patterson novel,
a framed Chicago Bulls basketball jersey
autographed by Michael Jordan, and a
chance to host an exclusive event with
Abbie Stockard, the 2026 Miss America
winner, attended the event. Clarke then
announced the launch of Promise Fund’s
new initiative, a county-wide Screening
Day, and invited contributions to
support its kickoff.
The Betty Ford Trailblazer Award was
then presented by Susan Ford Bales to
Kathleen B. Walgreen., Chairman and
Founder of Walgreen Drug Stores
Historical Foundation, in recognition of
her exceptional leadership and
dedication to healthcare and community
service. “Kathy’s contributions
exemplify the spirit of this award and
the enduring legacy of my mother, Betty
Ford,” Ford Bales remarked.
During dessert, guests enjoyed a live
performance by Broadway stars that
celebrated “50 Years of Rock & Roll,”
underwritten by Yvonne and Nasser
Kazeminy, that created a memorable
finale to a meaningful evening.
Event sponsors included Baptist Health
Cancer Care (Promise Fund’s exclusive
healthcare partner), Hologic, and
Brioni.
As the Promise Fund of Florida looks
ahead, its commitment remains
steadfast—to ensure that every woman,
regardless of financial circumstances,
has access to early detection, quality
treatment, and compassionate care. For
information, visit
www.thepromisefund.org
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