Supporters of Zahorik Breast Center Feted

It’s a frightening statistic, but the 150 members of The Circle of Huntington Memorial Hospital understand far better than most that ignoring uncomfortable news won’t make it go away.

In the next decade, breast cancer is projected to strike more than 1.5 million women throughout the United States.

Consequently, The Circle, a nonprofit auxiliary of Huntington Memorial Hospital which, since its founding

in 1991, has raised over $1 million for programs ranging from children’s special needs to cardiac care, has focused its efforts for the past seven years on supporting the Constance G. Zahorik Breast Center on the hospital’s campus.

“The Zahorik Breast Center is a vitally important community resource,” says Rose Wen, president of The Circle. “It not only guides women diagnosed with breast cancer through the complicated process of diagnosis, treatment and recovery but provides them with the emotional support they need to cope with the maze of decisions that a breast cancer diagnosis inevitably involves.”

Recently, the auxiliary hosted a reception at the Center for supporters whom Wen describes as those “who have made a notable impact, who make a difference for us.” The Circle also unveiled a dedication plaque listing the names of these especially generous donors.

Donors honored include: Nelson Holdo and Meshell Sohl of Asanti Jewelers; Geraldine Berlen; Colleen and Berne Evans III; Terri and Jerry Kohl; Shelley Allen and Robert Kohorst; Peggy Burt and Hilary Thomas of Lineage Dance Company; Lois and Phillip Matthews; Dr. Ruth Williamson and Dr. Thomas J. McNulty; Debbie and Paul Ouyang; John Babcock; MaryAnn and Stephen Ready; Sarah and James Shelton II; Rose and Stephen Wen; Alyce Williamson and Warren Williamson; and Constance G. Zahorik.

Gerri Berlen, an honoree who has battled cancer and whose daughter Rosanne Berlen is a member of The Circle, said to her fellow guests at the reception, “I don’t want to be honored. I honor all of you. I cannot tell you how very much the center has done for me since my diagnosis in 1997. They have taken care of me in the most exquisite way, treating me with the utmost respect and care.”

For more information about The Circle of Huntington Memorial Hospital, which will hold its 2006 benefit, “Disco Inferno” honoring Dr. Stephen Applebaum, at the historic Wind Tunnel on the South Campus of Art Center College of Design on Oct. 14 visit The Circle’s website at www.thecircleofhmh.com.

lso-circle.0608.jpg-BPhotoInfo2G1RNIOE20060608j0gnlenc(LA)AT ‘CIRCLE’ RECEPTION ? Dr. Ruth Williamson, Warren Williamson, Dr. Stephen Applebaum and Anne Hennessy were among the attendees at a special Circle of Huntington Memorial Hospital reception honoring major supporters of the Constance G. Zahorik Breast Center.