NEW YORK, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), Greater New York Chapter, is hosting the Thirteenth Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon at the Waldorf=Astoria on Wednesday, May 10th, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The honorees include fashion designer Vera Wang, Susan Lyne, President and CEO, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. and Madeline Boyd, Senior VP External Affairs, NY Mercantile Exchange.
The hostess for the festivities is Cynthia McFadden, Co-Anchor ABC News, Primetime and Nightline who stated, "I'm delighted to be involved again this year with the CCFA Women of Distinction Luncheon. As a person with Crohn's Disease, I find new inspiration every year in the courage of so many young women coping with a myriad of bowel diseases, diseases that are frankly hard for many people to discuss publicly. Each year, this luncheon gives us an opportunity to raise money and awareness. I am proud to be a small part of this very special event."
Luncheon Chairs, Pauline Arama-Olsten, Ellen Crown, Elyse Newhouse and Michele Sweetwood have all been touched personally by Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis as well. According to Pauline Arama-Olsten, "In the past two years, CCFA raised $2 million from this event ($1 million in 2004 and $1 million in 2005) and are on target to raise over $1 million from this year's luncheon." Honorary Chair Nancy Brown, Chair Emeritus of the Greater NY Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, reports that, "Other celebrities and dignitaries are expected to attend the event which is open to the public." Tickets range from $375-1500.
Tess Koman, designated "Rising Star," is a 14 year old high school student from New Jersey who has spearheaded the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act with New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone and has endured for half of her life numerous medical ordeals in her own battle with Crohn's disease.
In addition to supporting this worthy cause, guests will be treated to a preview of the Vera Wang Fall 2006 Collection and fashion show presented by Bergdorf Goodman. Attendees can also participate in the Ultimate Raffle for the "it bag" which is defined as:
1. the most coveted designer bag of the season, often unavailable to the general public 2. a rarely seen bag, except in close proximity to a red carpet 3. a bag worn by a-listers, celebrities, socialites and fashionistas 4. often considered "arm candy"
The raffle includes: the Hermes Birkin, Hermes Kelly, Louis Vuitton Macha, Fendi B. Fendi, Christian Dior Gaucho, and Judith Leiber Custom Monogrammed Minaudiere. Proceeds from the luncheon and the raffle go to fund cutting-edge research for finding a cure to Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
About the Honorees: Vera Wang, CEO/Designer -- "Woman of Distinction Award in Fashion": Vera Wang has created a unique aspirational world filled with sensuality and youthful sophistication. Exquisite details, intricate draping and a nonchalant sense of style characterize the Vera Wang aesthetic.
Vera Wang, a native New Yorker, understands women who embrace fashion. As a child, she accompanied her mother as she shopped Parisian and American couture. Vera studied at Chapin, Sarah Lawrence College and The Sorbonne. By age 23, Vera was the youngest ever Vogue fashion editor and stylist where she remained for 16 years before moving to Ralph Lauren as a design director. In 1990, Vera Wang opened her flagship store on Manhattan's famed Madison Avenue, introducing fashion to the bridal industry with revolutionary designs and refined detailing. Since then she has expanded her collections to include ready-to-wear, eveningwear, intimate apparel, fur, footwear, eyewear, fragrance, china and crystal, silver and gifts, fine papers, fine jewelry and her first book, Vera Wang On Weddings. Most recently, Vera Wang was honored at the 2005 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion awards, receiving one of the top honors: "Womenswear Designer of the Year."
Madeline Boyd, Senior Vice President External Affairs, New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. -- "Woman of Distinction Award in Finance": Ms. Boyd had been a member of the NYMEX board of directors since 1998 and a gasoline trader on the Exchange since 1987. She is the only woman in Exchange history to serve on its executive committee, a position she held from 2000 to 2001. At the time of her staff appointment in 2004, Ms. Boyd was chairman of the Exchange government affairs committee and co-chairman of its petroleum product and local advisory committees. She is also president of the NYMEX Political Action Committee.
Ms. Boyd has headed the NYMEX Charitable Foundation committee as the chairman since 1992 and has continued to spearhead the Exchange's philanthropic efforts in her staff role as president of the Foundation. Under her guidance, the Foundation has grown from an annual budget of $125,000 to more than $3 million in 2005. Through the Foundation's fund-raising drive, which was initiated by Ms. Boyd, thousands of inner-city children and those with special needs have been able to attend summer camp. Ms. Boyd is also president of the New York Mercantile Exchange Charitable Assistance Fund, a public charity formed in the aftermath of September 11, which resulted in the distribution of $4.4 million to families of the victims associated with the NYMEX.
Susan Lyne, President and CEO Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. -- "Woman of Distinction Award in Media": Susan Lyne was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. in November 2004. Ms. Lyne is responsible for all aspects of the public media and merchandising company, which includes Publishing, Television, Merchandising and Internet/Direct Commerce business segments. She is also a member of the Company's board of directors, which she joined in June 2004.
Prior to joining MSO, Ms. Lyne served as President of ABC Entertainment from January 2002 to April 2004, where she oversaw the development of recent hits including "Desperate Housewives," "Lost" and "Extreme Makeover, Home Edition." She also shepherded other familiar programs, including "8 Simple Rules," "The Bachelor" and "Hope and Faith." Along with her programming and management responsibilities, she regularly served as the entertainment division's principal voice on strategic direction to the advertising and investment communities.
Tess Koman -- "Rising Star Award": At 14, Tess Koman is just like your average teenager. She's on the junior varsity tennis team. She's an avid skier. She loves "American Idol" and "Lost." Diagnosed at age 7, she's had Crohn's disease for half her life. Two surgeries, numerous colonoscopies, G.I. tests, endoscopies, procedures, nightly tube feedings, drug regimens, hospitalizations -- Tess has met all of these head on with courage and determination.
In 2004, she successfully lobbied New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone for his support on passing the "Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act" -- the first IBD-specific legislation ever introduced in Congress. Later that year, she was selected as the Ambassador Child and named the "Vision Award" recipient by the New Jersey Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. For three years in a row, Tess was the single largest fundraiser at the Morristown PaceSetter Walk, raising thousands of dollars for Crohn's research; she's also sold hundreds of "Got Guts" bracelets. She currently sits on the CCFA "Kids Count Panel" and is actively involved in counseling others with the disease via a Mutual Help email network. In addition, Tess serves on Morristown Memorial Hospital's Teen Advisory Panel.
About CCFA: CCFA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), dedicated to finding the cause of and cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, known collectively as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), through the pursuit of basic medical research and to improving the lives of IBD patients through professional and patient education, as well as support programs. Founded in 1967, CCFA has been a part of virtually every scientific research finding in the area of IBD having contributed over $100 million to basic research during that time. More than $10 million is expended annually on the best peer-reviewed research in the world. CCFA also provides the most advanced and widely available professional education for physicians serving patients with IBD to ensure that the latest treatment advancements move quickly from the bench to the bedside, that is, from the laboratories to the doctor's offices. More than 82% of all revenue raised is spent on core services of the CCFA mission.
Contact: Marilyn Haggerty Blohm Media Contact: Deanna Morton Executive Director InfiniTech, LLC Greater NY Chapter CCFA Phone: 516-829-5502 Phone: 212-679-1570 cell: 516-732-6414 Email: newyork@ccfa.org Email: deemorton@aol.com
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of AmericaCONTACT: Marilyn Haggerty Blohm, Executive Director of Greater NY ChapterCCFA, +1-212-679-1570, newyork@ccfa.org; or Media: Deanna Morton ofInfiniTech, LLC, phone: +1-516-829-5502, cell: +1-516-732-6414,deemorton@aol.com, for CCFA
