by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Joseph Allen
High Achieving Talent Marshals Against Breast Cancer
Flutes of champagne and luxury chocolates marked last night’s kick-off party for the upcoming Susan G. Komen Gala when Chris Edwards and Albert Fonticiella opened their handsome midtown home for the reception. (Amb. Brinker shown above)
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation fulfills a promise made by founder Nancy Brinker who named it for her sister, a breast cancer victim. Susan’s dying wish was that Nancy would work to help overcome the disease to prevent others suffering as she had.
Appointed as our former ambassador to Hungary by George W. Bush and later named by him as the U.S. Chief of Protocol with the rank of Assistant Secretary of State, dynamic Brinker has kept that promise. She has inspired an army of 75,000 volunteers who to date have helped in raising two billion dollars to fight the illness that affects one out of eight women.
Aaron Schock and Andrea Rodgers
At the reception, Aaron Schock – a member of Congress from Peoria, Illinois (where Nancy Brinker was also born) – hailed her ongoing achievements in furthering cancer research and distributing grants to community groups to fund screenings, education and emergency financial support for those in the struggle. “Ambassador Brinker,” he said, “has clearly shown what the Power of One can achieve when that One is dedicated to a cause and can inspire dedication in others.”
Aaron Schock understands dedication: At 31 years of age, he is the youngest congressman in U.S. history. He has always striven. At 19, he was the youngest school board member and at 23 the youngest school board president. As a teen, while still in high school, he worked after class in a gravel pit, saving nearly all his earnings to buy his first property, beginning his success in real estate. Along the way he earned his B.S. in finance, a four-year degree, in only two years.
Another dedicated speaker on the program was the stunning-in-pink blonde Allyn Rose who last month won the title of Miss District of Columbia 2012 and plans to compete for the Miss America crown in 2013.
Allyn Rose and Andrea Rodgers
She said the loss of her mother to breast cancer when she was sixteen led her to partner with the Susan G. Komen group to help educate youth on cancer prevention. A decorated student athlete who focused on volleyball, track and field, her career goal is to be a constitutional attorney. She currently works as a paralegal for two Bethesda attorneys and models for several national companies.
The featured chocolates, in a myriad of shapes and flavors, were luscious as well as beautiful. There were small Chinese take-out boxes at hand so guests could take home favorites from their samplings in addition to the tall white chocolate daisy pops..
Serving as the informal emcee of the evening was charismatic co-host Chris Edwards, who furnished the chocolate treats from the family company. Edward Marc Chocolatier had humble beginnings ninety-eight years ago when his great-grandparents began making chocolates in Greece. With success they emigrated to America, settling in Pennsylvania. The next generations continued the family craft and now Chris and his sister Dara Manatos (who has married into the political Manatos family) run the business.
“She is the brains,” stated Chris; but Dara said “No, we’re all three the brains,” including Albert Fonticiella. Party co-host Albert will soon be taking time out from his chocolate tasks to earn his MBA at Georgetown.
“My great-grandmother, who made chocolates almost a century ago, would be astonished if she were here today,” Chris told the crowd. “And she would be amazed that her efforts have led to a company which now is known across the U.S. and is a featured supplier to 44 Saks stores and has a shop in the Pentagon.”
Celebrities have discovered Edward Marc chocolates. Chris said that TomKat (former TomKat we might add), Tom Cruise and Katie, visited his shop. Julianne Moore also became a fan on the set of the political drama Game Change. (Footnote to history: a character in the film is named “Chris Edwards” after the real-life role Chris played when he was Sarah Palin’s deputy chief of staff.)
One helper in making the reception a success was Andrea Rodgers, whose Ask Miss A online magazine for women has the motto “Charity in Style” and reflects (and causes!) trends in the 21 major U.S. cities where it is featured.
Another achiever, Andrea holds two B.A.’s, a double major in economics and politics. She also owns Miss A Marketing, specializing in social media and events planning. She was chosen by Vogue as one of 100 decision makers and opinion leaders across the country.
Andrea is on the committee for the September 28th Susan Komen Gala, Honoring the Promise, which will be chaired by John Castellani, the president and CEO of PhRMA.
The event, founded by Carlyle Group’s noted philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, will grant awards of distinction to those in the forefront of the cancer battle on medical and science issues, advocacy and community and global leadership.
It was shocking to hear that the two million dollars earned by last years gala was urgently needed for programs in the District’s Southeast Wards 7 and 8. Right in our own back yard, those two wards have the highest breast cancer mortality rates in the entire nation.
Ambassador Brinker spoke as the leader of the largest non-profit source of breast cancer research funding outside the U.S. government While dedicating her life to the foundation, she has managed to serve on other important causes as well. She has earned almost 40 major awards, and was honored by President Barak Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In her remarks she made a thoughtful observation: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you discover your purpose in life.” She has truly discovered hers.
