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One of Needham’s largest fundraising galas, the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham (BID–Needham) 18th Annual Gala was held on October 29 at the Westin Copley Place, Boston. This year’s celebration, “Unmask the Future: Masquerade Ball,” brought together nearly 800 community members for a night of bidding, dancing and excitement all in support of the hospital’s new BreastCare Center, which offers patients comprehensive breast services, delivered with compassionate care.
Maria Stephanos, WCVB NewsCenter 5 anchor, was the evening’s emcee, with auctioneer John Terrio leading a live auction that raised $720,000 in support of the BreastCare Center. Grateful patient Ginny MacDowell shared her story about her journey as a patient with breast cancer. Another grateful patient, Marianne Centrella, was featured in a short documentary about her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, bringing the crowd to their feet in a standing ovation.
“This year’s masquerade ball was a truly memorable evening of celebrating the community, our supporters and the ‘unmasking’ of the new BreastCare Center at BID–Needham,” said John M. Fogarty, President and CEO of BID–Needham. “Women’s health is a priority for BID–Needham, and our latest initiative to create a brand new, state-of-the-art BreastCare Center demonstrates that commitment. We are inspired by the generosity of the community who came together to raise money for the new center. This center is truly the foundation of care—with early detection and a strong support team around our patients, more and more we see that breast cancer is a curable diagnosis.”
Roy and Ginny MacDowell of Wayland with John Fogarty, President and CEO of BID–Needham
“We owe so much of this amazing night to our 2016 gala committee,” said Samantha Sherman, Chief Development and External Relations Officer at BID–Needham. “Our success relies on our relationship with the community, and our committee this year brought an astonishing amount of energy and commitment to make this night full of fun and surprises. They helped spread the word, leading our tickets sales to sell out faster than ever, eight weeks before the event. We are grateful to the community and to our friends and neighbors for helping making this evening a huge success.”
“It was an honor to celebrate Unmask The Future, share my story and help raise critical funds to support the new BreastCare Center,” said Ginny MacDowell, a grateful patient from Wayland who spoke about her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. “When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew there was only one team to use and one place to go. My new life began as a breast care patient and then a breast care survivor. I never looked back. Thank you to Beth Israel Deaconess Needham and my family and friends for helping to make this night and my recovery possible.”
MacDowell’s care team included breast surgeon and now Co-Director of the new BreastCare Center in Needham Dr. Mary Jane Houlihan; Dr. Robb Friedman, Medical Director of the Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center in Needham; and Dr. Stuart Berman, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, all of whom practice at BID–Needham.
