Over 150 breast cancer survivors and supporters kicked of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 1, at the Pop of Pink Benefit Fashion Exhibition and Luncheon at the InterContinental at Doral Miami. The event is the hotel’s annual breast cancer awareness and fundraising campaign benefiting Susan G. Komen® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
Several local breast cancer survivors were among the models participating in the fashion exhibition. Artists from White’s Art Gallery painted clothing for the cause, including purses, jackets, jeans, t-shirts and dresses, which were available for purchase. Diane Pellini’s Mary Kay team did the models’ makeup while Tumisprial Pierna and Vanessa Rodriguez styled everyone’s hair.
This marked the 9th consecutive year the hotel raised funds and hosted an event for Susan G. Komen® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. The campaign was held in partnership with the White’s Art Gallery, Fashion Institute of Miami Dade College, Palmetto General Hospital, and Florida Mobile Mammography, which provided 3-D mammograms during the event.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Nuria Lawson, Palmetto General Hospital surgeon, spoke about how early diagnosis and new drugs are making significant strides in helping those diagnosed with breast cancer. City of Doral Vice Mayor Claudia Mariaca spoke about the hope of finding a cure and gathering in the future to mark it as a disease from the past.
Emilio Cabrera from MEC Fitness served a dual role Presenting Sponsor of the Pop of Pink Benefit Luncheon and the male model modeling menswear.
Alivi, an award-winning company solution provider for health plans, was the Title Sponsor of the Pop of Pink luncheon; Allegro Senior Living and Team Mobile were Orange Sponsors. PSAV was an in-kind sponsor.
Vendor participants included Fit by Haydee Fitness & Dance Studio, Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. and BB Beauty Mark by Blanche de Jesus.
Auction donors included JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, Intercontinental San Jose Costa Rica, InterContinental Real Santo Domingo, Intercontinental at Doral Miami, Blue Matisse Restaurant at Intercontinental at Doral Miami, Dalia Berlin, Vilma Volcanes, Allegro Living, Hidalgo Wines, Touton Wines, Club Pilates, Diane Pellini from Mary kay, Liz Weigandt from Mary Kay, and Blanche de Jesus.
Since the InterContinental at Doral Miami was built in 2000, the ownership has been committed to giving back to the community. “We are honored to be doing our part with our annual campaign help in the fight against breast cancer and to help give women the treatment and preventive care they need through Susan G. Komen® Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale,” said Randal Pasut, general manager of InterContinental at Doral Miami.
Monies raised locally help provide treatment in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties, screening mammograms, or help patients in need with the cost to pay for diagnostic exams or chemotherapy treatment, as well as provide financial assistance.
“We are happy to once again to join the InterContinental at Doral Miami as a supporting sponsor to help make our services and Komen possible,” said Sherri Martens-Curtis, executive director of Susan G. Komen® of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In the United States, one case of breast cancer is diagnosed every two minutes, and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes. A lack of health insurance and living in lower-income areas are both associated with lower survival rates among breast cancer patients, as well as the presence of other illnesses, unequal access to care and disparities in treatment.
About Susan G. Komen ® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
Susan G. Komen® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale is an Affiliate of Susan G. Komen®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization. Since its founding in 1999, Komen® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale has invested more than $12 million in local programs.
Komen set a bold goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. As such, Komen continues to fund national breast cancer research alongside local programs. Twenty-five percent of the net goal is invested in groundbreaking research. Seventy-five percent of Komen® Miami/Ft. Lauderdale’s net proceeds stay in the community, funding grants to local hospitals and community organizations for breast cancer education, screening, and treatment for uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved patients in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties.
For information, visit www.komenmiaftl.org.
About InterContinental at Doral Miami
InterContinental at Doral Miami is an award-winning, four-star, full-service hotel located just six miles from Miami International Airport and conveniently located near top shopping destinations, golf courses, and major attractions. The newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility has 265 guest rooms and over 10,000 square feet of top-notch meeting spaces.
Owned by Grupo Poma, a family conglomerate with over 36 years in the industry, guests enjoy the benefits of a multi-national brand with international know-how and the local cultural wisdom of a boutique hotel.
For information visit www.intercontinental.com/atdoralmiami.
PHOTOS BY: Onelia Collazo Mendive
