OVATIONS FOR THE CURE PRESENTS ANNUAL AWARDS AT NIGHT OF THE MONARCH GALA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) September 3, 2009 --

September 3, 2009 – NATICK, MA – Ovations for the Cure, a national ovarian cancer organization, today announced its 2009 Night of the Monarch Gala award recipients. The Night of the Monarch event hosts the Fourth Annual Stuart Weitzman Fashion Show with jewelry designs by A.M. Deprisco Wellesley, and is being held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Westin Boston Waterfront. The evening, sponsored by SBLI, will not only pay tribute to Ovations for the Cure founder, Patricia Franchi Flaherty, but will honor all who face ovarian cancer as well as those who have succumbed to the disease.

This event will commemorate National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by showcasing the recognition and awareness that Ovations for the Cure has brought to ovarian cancer, as well as acknowledging those who are making strides to change the future of the disease. Three prestigious awards will be presented to individuals who have made a difference in the ovarian cancer community through the advancement of ovarian cancer research, awareness and patient programs.

Dr. Ross Berkowitz will be awarded the inaugural Patty Franchi Flaherty Research Award for his crucial advancements in the research and understanding of early genetic changes in the development of ovarian cancer. Dr. Berkowitz is a specialist in gynecologic cancer and served as Patty Franchi Flaherty’s surgeon during her long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

The first Patty Franchi Flaherty Awareness Award will be presented to 16-year old Molly McGaffigan of Groton, Mass. McGaffigan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 15, when a routine physical uncovered a ten-pound tumor on one of her ovaries. Molly is turning her own experience into a mission to spread awareness of ovarian cancer to high school and college-age women. Her message, which focuses on knowing the symptoms of ovarian cancer, lets young women know that the disease does not discriminate – women of all ages are at risk. To date, McGaffigan has already helped raise over $8,000 for Ovations for the Cure’s awareness brochure program.

International shoe and handbag designer, Stuart Weitzman, will be awarded the first Patty Franchi Flaherty Patient Program Award for his efforts to support the Happy Feet Program at Ovations for the Cure. The Happy Feet Program provides ovarian cancer patients with a complimentary pair of specially designed Stuart Weitzman jelly shoes as a gift from Ovations for the Cure. The shoes help these women through their battle with ovarian cancer by making them feel special and letting them know they are not alone in their journey.

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