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Black Tie
International:
S.L.E. Lupus
Foundation's 5th Annual NY Bag Ladies Luncheon
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Honorary co-chair
Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Former First Lady of New York State,
Founder and Chair of Mentoring USA and long-time champion
for women's causes Gloria Steinem |
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Prominent New York Philanthropists Raise Over
a Quarter of a Million Dollars at
S.L.E. Lupus
Foundation’s 5th Annual
NY Bag Ladies Luncheon
Photos by:
Joyce Brooks
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There were bags
for every occasion
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Cookie jar bag
centerpiece |
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The awards |
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Joyce Brooks
Until next year..... |
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NEW YORK, NY – April 11, 2012 – More
than 300 leaders in New York’s fashion, philanthropic and
lupus communities raised nearly $300,000 for the fight
against lupus at S.L.E. Lupus Foundation’s fifth annual New
York Bag Ladies Luncheon. The support of the fashion
industry with donations of over 150 handbags from 50 top
designers seems particularly “fitting” since the devastating
autoimmune disease primarily affects women. Held every
spring, the luncheon celebrates a season brimming with the
hope of promise fulfilled.
Honorary co-chairs were Matilda
Raffa Cuomo, Former First Lady of New York State,
Founder and Chair of Mentoring USA and opera legend
Jessye Norman. With her commanding presence and majestic
operatic voice, Miss Norman welcomed the crowd. “Like many
in this room, I have been involved in this marvelous
fundraising luncheon since its inception. I am here each
year on behalf of all the magnificent women with lupus who
wage an unimaginable battle against this devastating disease
affecting not only the bodies of women, but as often, their
spirits.”
This year’s noted guest was fashion
meteorite Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, who embodies the
same pioneering innovative spirit that characterizes the
S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. Ms. Wilson went from positions at
Bulgari and Louis Vuitton to co-found Gilt Groupe, an
innovative e-commerce company offering highly-coveted luxury
lifestyle products. She noted, “Three people near and dear
to me suffer from lupus so I have seen some of the
challenges it poses. Maintaining a positive attitude is not
easy when battling such a difficult illness. But as someone
entrenched in the fashion industry, I wanted to speak today
to help inspire women to ‘Dress for Happiness,’ boosting
their spirits and self-image.”
Special recognition was given to
Deborah McKeever, President and COO of EHE International
for her help in increasing awareness of lupus through its
highly visible Rockefeller Center Window Campaign. “EHE
International has been very proud to support the S.L.E.
Lupus Foundation for the past several years,” said
Ms. McKeever. “Our goal is to help groups build awareness of
diseases like lupus that are not very well known but warrant
public attention.”
New York Turns out for the Lupus
Community
Luncheon guests included S.L.E. Lupus
Foundation Founder and Vice President Susan Golick
and Board members Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, wife
of
Senator Frank Lautenberg;
Jennie DeScherer; Betsey Selkowitz; Carol
Weisman; and Kate Kelly. Fashion luminaries
included Danielle DiFernando, Founder of Danielle
Nicole Handbags and Mary Belle, President, Licensing
at
The Jones Group
which includes iconic lifestyle brands such as Anne
Klein, Jones New York and Nine West. A
first-time attendee of special note was long-time champion
for women’s causes,
Gloria Steinem.
Supporting Lupus is in Style
A silent auction of stunning handbags
generated essential funding for the innovative science
needed to find a cure for lupus as well as the necessary
services to help patients live with the disease
day-to-day.
“We thank everyone here today and every
designer who generously donated handbags holding so much
promise for lupus patients,” said Margaret Dowd, Executive
Director, S.L.E. Lupus Foundation. “The funds raised here
today turn on the lights of laboratories throughout the
country and allow our finest scientists to deliver the
breakthrough discoveries that will deliver a Life Without
Lupus. So much progress has already been made as we are
closing in on the cause and going for the cure.”
About
Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or
lupus, is a chronic, complex and serious autoimmune disease
affecting more than 1.5 million Americans. Nine out of 10
people with lupus are women. In lupus, the immune system,
which is designed to protect against infection, creates
antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs --
the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.
Lupus is difficult to diagnose, difficult to treat, and a
leading cause of premature cardiovascular disease, kidney
disease and stroke
among young women.
About the
S.L.E. Lupus Foundation
Formed over 40 years ago, the S.L.E.
Lupus Foundation leads the nation in providing direct
patient services, education, public awareness, as well as
funding for innovative lupus research on the national level.
The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation is a member of the Lupus
Research Institute National Coalition of patient groups
throughout the country.
www.lupusny.org
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