The Cancer Support Community Greater Miami (CSCGM) raised more than $205,000 at the tenth anniversary Heart & Star Award Dinner on March 8 at Temple Beth Am.
More than 350 business and philanthropic leaders from the Greater Miami area turned out to honor Jennifer Stearns Buttrick, the champion of Human Spirit, and SAP International, champion of Community Spirit.
According to the National Cancer Institute, 1.5 million men and women in the United States were diagnosed with cancer in the past year alone. The time that follows a diagnosis is often crowded with fear and concern for patients, family and friends. Thus, the CSCGM mission is to empower participants and families to become informed advocates through support groups, learning opportunities and stress-reduction programs.
CSCGM has helped more than 20,000 participants since opening in April, 2002. The mission of the non-profit is to provide free psycho-social and educational support and services to cancer patients and loved ones.
Buttrick received the Champion of Human Spirit award as a tribute to being a cancer survivor, and a beacon of light and hope for others faced with the illness. She was diagnosed with kidney cancer two days after giving birth to her third child. Since her diagnosis and treatment, she has dedicated herself to raising funds for research, advocacy and awareness.
Buttrick is an attorney with Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson and serves as director of pro bono and community services. She is an advocate for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She served as chair of the Designed for a Cure fundraiser for Sylvester in 2009 and 2011, and is a member of Sylvester’s Board of Governors. She serves on the advisory board of the Dolphins Cycling Challenge, an annual event that benefits Sylvester. She and husband Matthew have three children.
SAP International received the Champion of the Community Spirit Award in recognition of the commitment to the South Florida community, as well as for efforts to unite others toward a greater good. Headquartered in Walldorf, Germany, SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software. Founded in 1972, SAP applications and services enable more than 183,000 customers worldwide to operate.
SAP International opened its Latin American division in Miami 10 years ago.
Led by President Rodolpho Cardenuto, SAP International has been a solid contributor in community outreach. In 2007, they established a local philanthropic and community relations program, organizing volunteers and donating funds to many South Florida non-profits. SAP has donated time and financial resources to Jackson Memorial Hospital, Children’s Home Society, Junior Achievement and the CSCGM.
“Jennifer and SAP International are deserving honorees and we are grateful to have them as active advocates for our mission,” said Danielle Spiegelman, executive director of CSCGM. “Each has done so much to inspire and inform all audiences about the Cancer Support Community Greater Miami and this evening was a perfect tribute.”
The tenth anniversary Heart & Star Award dinner also recognized CSCGM founder-president Pamela Katz Zakheim with the inaugural Founder’s Award, honoring excellence in volunteerism. Zakheim has volunteered as a staff member for 10 years and her husband, Dr. Richard Zakheim, also is a CSCGM founding board member.
Committee leadership for the event included Chanin and Adam Carlin, Candace Falsetto, Laura Goldberg, Ana Hughes Freund, Carmen Perez, Aida and Joseph Roisman, Lourdes Rodriguez, Lourdes Rosales, Kim Sarkisian, Amy, Scharlin and Debra Schottenstein; Kara Stearns Sharp, Edie Spiegel, Laurie Stein and Carole Wright.
CSCGM had the support of table sponsors and donors: Advanced Medical Specialties, Baptist Health South Florida, Buttrick Family, Carnival Corporation; Chanin and Adam Carlin; Fluxman Family Foundation, Freund Family, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust; Greenberg Traurig, GYN Oncology of Miami/Dr. Nicholas Lambrou and Dr. Troy Gatcliffe, Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, Northern Trust; Packman, Neuwahl & Rosenberg, Pantry Liquors, Perry Ellis International, Margarita Pons, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center/University of Miami Health System, Aida and Joseph Roisman, Debra and Jeff Schottenstein, SAP International, Lindsay Spalding and Julie Steven, Edie and Firth Spiegel, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson; and Pamela and Richard Zakheim.
Other donors included, Andrew Duany Photography, Capretto Shoes, Cunard, Elemis Spa, Fare to Remember, Gables Linen, H&H Jewels, Hitched Event Rentals, Imagine That Miami, InBloom Group, MAC Parking, Neiman Marcus Coral Gables, Nu-Designs, Reflections Productions, Southern Wine & Spirits and Temple Beth Am.
For more information, go to www.cancersupportcommunitymiami.org.
