MARIA BELLO BRINGS OUT THE STARS TO SUPPORT THE HAMPTONS FOR HAITI BENEFIT

Benefit chair of Southampton Hospital’s 53rd Annual Summer Gala Jean Shafiroff, Actress and Co-founder of WeAdvance.org Maria Bello





Maria Bello Brings Out the Stars To Support The Hamptons for Haiti Benefit

Sponsored by WeAdvance.org, GlobalDirt.org and Plum Network





Author Alison Thompson, Actress Patricia Arquette




This past weekend, actress and co-founder of WeAdvance.Org Maria Bello hosted the Hamptons For Haiti benefit sponsored by WeAdvance.org, GlobalDirt.org and Plum Network. The fundraiser was held at East Hampton’s The Ross School to raise funds for the people of Cité Soleil in Haiti—the poorest region in the Western hemisphere. The program included musical performances by “The Diva of Haiti” Barbara Guillaume, prodigy pianist Gamar Josama and singer Melky Jean as well as a viewing of an educational documentary about WeAdvance.org. The event also hosted a silent auction featuring exclusive items such as a visit to Maria Bello’s NBC Fall series Prime Suspect set with actor Aiden Quinn, a visit to NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit set with actress Mariska Hargitay, lanterns from Restoration Hardware, tablets from VINCI Tab, artwork by artists Peter Tunney, Beth O’Donnell, Anthony Russell in conjunction with Raphael Mazzuco and Marc Baptiste, a family photo shoot and album by photographer Elizabeth Jordan, and a three-hour cruise for six aboard Courtney Ross’ private 44’ Jet Boat, complete with gourmet lunch, champagne, and an outstanding crew and captain. Those who came out to support Maria and attended the event included: actresses Mariska Hargitay and Patricia Arquette, actors Liev Schreiber, Fisher Stevens and Terry Quinn, designers Donna Karan and Christopher Fischer, New York Ranger Sean Avery, models Hilary Rhoda and Kristine Szabo, director Doug Liman, singer Melky Jean, Chief Medical Operations Coordinator of GlobalDirt.org Nicole Ross, author Alison Thompson, Creative Director of Urban Zen Sonja Nuttall, fashion photographer Marc Baptiste, President of Causecast Brian Sirgutz, artists Beth O’Donnell, Peter Tunney and Elizabeth Jordan, CQ: Expressive & Receptive Intelligence founder Clare Munn, benefit chair of Southampton Hospital’s 53rd Annual Summer Gala Jean Shafiroff, and philanthropist and model Anjhula Mya Singh Bais.





Director Fisher Stevens, Actor Liev Schreiber







Designer Christopher Fischer, Actress Mariska Hargitay



Guests also received exciting gift bags with items from Christopher Fischer Cashmere, Madame Paulette®, GlobalDirt.org, Kenneth Mark, M.D., FACMS Office, VINCI Tab, restaurants Philippe Chow and Nello Summertimes, Angelo David Salon, RéVive, Popchips, Bond No. 9 New York, Laura Geller Makeup, Rene Furterer, Plum Magazine, and a copy of ‘The Third Wave: A Volunteer Story’ by author Alison Thompson.




Barbara Guillaume “The Diva of Haiti,” Singer, Co-Founder of WeAdvance.org





Melky Jean, Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur, Humanitarian and Sister of Wyclef Jean, Anjhula Singh Bias, Activist, Philanthropist and Model



The event raised thousands as 100% of proceeds went towards WeAdvance.org and GlobalDirt.org’s ongoing efforts within the Haitian community, such as establishing the first-ever ambulance service in Cité Soleil. “I hope WeAdvance.org will one day change the lives of everyone, not just Haitians,” said co-founder Barbara Guillaume after thanking guests for supporting the cause. Actress Maria Bello started WeAdvance.org to take direct action for the well-being of suffering Haitians after she held the hand of a young boy who had his arm amputated without anesthesia due to lack of medical supplies. The organization plans to treat 60,000 Haitians by the end of 2011.





ABOUT WEADVANCE.ORG: Co-founded by actress Maria Bello after the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010, We Advance is a micro-NGO that seeks to empower the mind, body and spirits of Haitian women. The organization’s work in Cité Soleil is based off of the philosophy of founding partner and Haitian activist, Barbara Guillaume: “If we can change the worst of Haiti, we can change all of Haiti.” We Advance models an inclusive grassroots approach with a movement that collaborates with both other organizations and women from every socio-economic class. Their clinic services hundreds of women and children a week with health care, community outreach, English clasess and play programs. The organization brings in volunteer experts to train local community leaders in the aspects of health, safety and education. The ultimate goal of We Advance is to foster the program’s foundation and eventually leave the organization in the hands of Haitian women.



ABOUT GLOBALDIRT.ORG: Global DIRT (Disaster Immediate Response Team) is a micro-NGO, also founded in January 2010 by Adam Marlatt shortly after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Using their experiences as members of the United States Marine Corps, Marlatt and fellow Marine Robert Sullivan have constructed a small, all-volunteer force dedicated to providing immediate assistance to victims of disasters all around the globe. DIRT acts as an intermediary between larger organizations, hospitals, military, and the victims. The Global DIRT team is currently dedicating its services to Haiti where it has earned a reputation as a go-to NGO for assistance in transportation and logistics. DIRT has provided water, food and medical supplies in areas that have not always been reached by larger organizations. The team specializes in emergency patient transfers and works diligently to improve communication between local hospitals and clinics. Global DIRT's goal for future situations is to be the first responder on the ground after a disaster. It plans to use its experiences in Haiti to provide fast, efficient and accurate information to responding groups in order to organize and expedite the recovery and rebuilding process.



For further information about please visit www.weadvance.org or www.globaldirt.org.





All photos credit by Liam McMullan of Patrick McMullan


Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only and it is courtesy of PR

Stars Gather at the Endometriosis Foundation of America 3rd Annual Blossom Ball

stars gather to support women—

Founder Tamer Seckin, M.D. & Co-Founder Padma Lakshmi

joined by a who’s-who crowd at

Endometriosis Foundation of America’s 3^rd Annual Blossom Ball

The stairs of the New York Public Library glittered recently with flickering candlelight and a star-studded guest list for the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) 3^rd Annual Blossom Ball. The charitable event was hosted by Founder Tamer Seckin, M.D., Co-Founder Padma Lakshmi, along with Co-Chairs Susan Sarandon, Eileen Guggenheim and Cindi Leive, with entertainment and music by Grammy-nominated songstress Bebel Gilberto. The fundraiser dinner brought out a large crowd of A-list supporters including Dr. Mehmet Oz of The Dr. Oz Show, actresses Bridget Moynahan and Jill Flint, models Joan Smalls and Nicole Trunfio, Film Director Joel T. Schumacher, Top Chef Judge Gail Simmons, fashion designer Gilles Mendel, Celebrity Hairstylist Alma G. of the Alma Salon NYC, The Daily Show’s Aasif Mandvi, Madame Paulette President John Mahdessian, artist DVANDE, Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and New York Giants’ Defensive End Justin Tuck.

As the first to take the stage, Dr. Oz introduced Lakshmi—complimenting her courage and her successful fight against endometriosis. Hugging Dr. Oz, Lakshmi gave a brief speech, thanking all those who attended and believe in the work of the Foundation, as well as acknowledging EFA’s Executive Director Deborah Castillero. Lakshmi then introduced her co-host, as well as her doctor and friend, Tamer Seckin, M.D. The foundation honored Keynote Honorees, Dr. Caroline Gargett, BAppSci, MAppSci, PhD and David B. Redwine, MD, FACOG, ACGE, for their tremendous efforts and dedication to fighting endometriosis, as Dr. Seckin thanked guests “for coming for women who are not in the room, but who will one day remember what we are trying to do.” Following the honorees, co-chair Susan Sarandon took the stage and was met by enthusiastic applause, reminding men that “just because you’re a man doesn’t mean this doesn’t affect you… show her that you care, be a real man!” As a woman previously diagnosed with endometriosis, Sarandon closed her speech by encouraging early education, not just for young women, but for doctors as well.

During the speeches, guests were treated to a seated dinner crafted by Convivium Catering, with drinks sponsored by Terlato Wines. Guests also had the opportunity to bid on an assortment of items from Charitybuzz, which include two tickets to Glamour Magazine's Woman of the Year Awards on November 7, 2011 and a seven-night-stay at The Grenadines Palm Island Resort. The online auction will end March 30, 2011. To view items or bid, please click here.

With an exclusive performance by Bebel Gilberto rounding out the night, attendees were treated to a tote gift bag full of exciting goodies fromAlma Salon NYC, Angelo David Salon, Glamour Magazine, Lair Restaurant & Lounge, Madame Paulette® Professional Stain Removal Kit, Philippe by Philippe Chow, Popchips, Pure Yoga, Quintessentially Delicious, SARAR, skin by Monica Olsen, SoulCycle® as well as stationary designed by artist Masha D’yans.

The soirée followed the first day of the EFA’s 2^nd Annual two-day medical conference in which global experts and opinion leaders on endometriosis came together from the realms of molecular science, research, industry, surgery and those struggling with the illness. Throughout both days of the conference, one significant message was clear: women are suffering, being misdiagnosed and continuously mistreated. The event, chaired by Dr. Seckin, brought together an international panel of endometriosis experts along with Keynote Honorees, Dr. Gargett and Dr. Redwine, and expert speakers including Asgerally T. Fazleabas, PhD, Pinar Kodaman, MD, PhD, Linda Griffith, PhD, Keith Isaacson, MD, William Rodgers, MD, PhD, Victor Gomel, MD, Marta Meana, PhD, C.Y. Liu, MD, Harry Reich, MD, Resad Pasic, MD, Juan Salgado-Morales, MD and others. At its core, the Foundation’s second annual scientific symposium dared to tackle dyspareunia— a provocative, politically-charged conundrum that has never before been presented in a dedicated setting. Taking place at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City, the conference was also comprised of patient workshops.

Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) provides a voice to endometriosis, which is estimated to affect the lives of 1 in 10 women. Through extensive research and collaboration with scientists, women’s health professionals and patients, EFA strives to further develop public knowledge and awareness of endometriosis by promoting early diagnosis and effective intervention. EFA tours university campuses, as while as plans and executes scientific and educational events designed to promote dialogue and progress in disease understanding and treatment.

For further information on the Endometriosis Foundation of America, please visit www.endofound.org.

Executive Director Deborah Castillero, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Founder Tamer Seckin, MD (Liam McMullan/Patrick McMullan Company)

Susan Sarandon, Co-Founder Padma Lakshmi, Founder Tamer Seckin, MD (Larry Busecca/Wire Image)

Gilles Mendel, Gail Simmons (Liam McMullan/Patrick McMullan Company)

Madame Paulette President John Mahdessian, Co-Founder Padma Lakshmi (Liam McMullan/Patrick McMullan Company)

Celebrity Hairstylist Alma G., Joan Smalls (Liam McMullan/Patrick McMullan Company)

Bridget Moynahan (Liam McMullan/Patrick McMullan Company)

Bebel Gilbetro (Larry Busecca/Wire Image)

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Disclosure: the above publication is for entertainment purposes only and it is courtesy of PR