SASS Holds Glorious Gala

On the crisp Friday evening of Sept. 19, The SASS Foundation for Medical Research held its annual Gala Dinner Dance & Casino at the glorious Guastavino’s in NYC. This year the event brought together over 220 business people, medical professionals, loyal supporters and benefactors in the magnificent architectural splendor, which served as the perfect backdrop for gathering to raise funds for cancer research.

The enthusiastic attendees paid tribute to very special individuals on this extraordinary evening.The Business Leadership Award was presented to Gillis Poll and George Poll, Long Island’s premier restaurateurs. With six outstanding restaurants, the Poll brothers feel the need to give back to the community that has supported them over the years Gillis and George have been passionate about supporting The SASS Foundation, as well as other local charities.

The Humanitarian Award was bestowed upon Dr. Mark & Virginia “Jinny” Silver. This couple are true humanitarians in every sense of the word. For over 20 years, Dr. Mark Silver, a gynecologist, has given of himself and his time to The SASS Foundation through speaking at Breast Cancer Awareness Days and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Days. In 2012, he was the recipient of the Gerry Trunz Memorial Award at the SASS Ovarian Awareness Day. Jinny’s deep rooted commitment to philanthropy and giving back is far-reaching. As a 20 year breast cancer survivor herself, Jinny, has made The SASS Foundation a very worthy part of her philanthropic endeavors.

Joan Ambrosino, Education Administrator for The SASS Foundation, is the perfect person to have been selected as the recipient of the 2014 Courage Award. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002, Joan has become a passionate advocate for cancer research to find a cure and education to save lives. Joan works tirelessly, as she believes that knowledge is power and early detection helps to save lives. Joan is passionate about the mission of The SASS Foundation and is grateful for privilege of being part of its mission and affording her the opportunity to join in the fight and to give back.

The co-founders of The SASS Foundation, Marty & Barbara Sass and Dr. Francis Arena, greeted the throngs of happy revelers, as the guests participated in the casino, and silent and chinese auctions — with net proceeds going to cancer research. Former honorees in attendance were Angela Anton and John Catsimatidis — both wonderful friends of The SASS Foundation.

Some major corporate sponsors of this event were, Kramer Levin, Diligent Credit Solutions, Shiel Medical Labs, Margolin, Winer & Evens, NYU Langone Medical Center, Zwanger Pesiri Radiology & Emerge Labs. We thank them and the many individual supporters for their help in underwriting this fabulous evening.

The funds raised at this event will go toward medical research and to education programs which we hope will help to win the fight against cancer.

For information on how you can help make a difference, contact Lois M. Lerner, Exeuctive Director llernersassfdn@gmail.com