100 Women in Hedge Funds Raise Funds for Cancer Care and Prevention

Leaders across the hedge fund industry gathered together and raised more than $1.7 million at the 100 Women in Hedge Funds 2008 New York Charity Gala at Cipriani in New York City last Wednesday night.

"We’re pleased that 100 Women in Hedge Funds has been able to support Dr. Freeman and the Center’s extraordinary programs,"Mimi Drake, a Director of the Board of 100 Women in Hedge Funds said, "Through the hard work, dedication and perseverance of the Gala committee, led by Gala Chair, Kristin Mott, we’re now able to help support these critical health initiatives in the New York, Chicago and San Francisco regions, three regions where our own 100 Women in Hedge Funds’ membership is well represented."

All proceeds from the evening will go to support the Ralph Lauren Center to expand its existing Screening and Patient Navigation Programs in the areas of breast, cervical and colon cancer and leverage its expertise to establish two satellite Patient Navigation Programs in medically underserved communities in Chicago, Illinois, and in San Francisco/Oakland, California.

The Patient Navigation Program was pioneered over seventeen years ago in Harlem by the Center’s founder and president, Harold P. Freeman, MD. A cancer surgeon in Harlem for more than 40 years, Dr. Freeman is a nationally recognized authority on the interrelationship of race, poverty and cancer. He served as the Chair of the US President’s Cancer Panel for 11 years under Presidents Bush and Clinton, and is a past President of the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Freeman said, "We know that poor and uninsured Americans are much more likely to die of cancer. Responding to this challenge and despite a severe economic downturn, 100 Women in Hedge Funds, in one festive evening at Cipriani's, raised more than $1.7 million to support the life saving Patient Navigation programs of Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention. The funds will be used to promote timely access to diagnosis and treatment of cancer for underserved populations in Harlem, NY, Chicago and San Francisco. Many lives will be saved."

Sonia Gardner, Effecting Change Award Honoree, said "I am honored and humbled to be in the same company as so many past honorees and I want to thank the Board of Directors of 100 Women in Hedge Funds for this wonderful honor. It’s a testament to everyone who supported the event that, despite these difficult times, they all made the effort to support such a meaningful cause as the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention. In a business like ours, which is literally defined by volatility and risk, I’ve found it to be essential, irrespective of what is going on around you, to keep things in perspective and to always remain calm and focused. While this obviously is being put to the test in these unprecedented times, it’s an important principle whose power cannot be overstated."

Generous contributions were made by the 2008 Chairs, Avenue Capital Group and Ricks & Ray Partners LLC, and 2008 Vice Chairs, Blue Ridge Foundation, New York, Eton Park, Moore Capital Management and an anonymous benefactor -- as well as other corporations and individuals who generously supported the event.

In addition to last week’s New York Gala, 100 Women in Hedge Funds also hosted a successful Charity Gala in London and fundraiser in Geneva in September this year. These charity events raised over £630,000 ($1.2 million) for Wellbeing of Women, a UK charity focused on women’s health issues. Wellbeing of Women was one of two charities selected by the 2008 Lord Mayor’s appeal, and through the generosity of the industry and volunteer efforts of its members, 100 Women in Hedge Funds’ contribution represented the largest single donation to the Appeal this year.