SHAREing & CAREing Holds Auction, Gives Awards

(L. to r.): Christina Hernandez-Genna, recipient of the SHAREing & CAREing Service Recognition Award, Joseph Pistilli, Philip l. Straub, Community Recognition Award recipient, Linda Perno, state Senator George Onorato, Peter Florey and Leonard D'Amico, guest of honor for 2007 award recipients, Anna Kril, Antonio Martin, guest of honor for 2007 award recipient, Tehillah Menes, M.D., Physicians Recognition Award recipient, Judy Trilivas, R.N., M.A., Community Recognition Award recipient, City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Jeffrey Sandhaus, M.D., P.C., Physicians Recognition Award recipient, and Eartha Washington, chair, Women of Color Leadership Advisory Council.

SHAREing & CAREing, the only community nonprofit organization to provide grassroots support services to breast and ovarian cancer patients and their families through counseling, educational forums and advocacy services in Queens and throughout New York City, held their 13th anniversary benefit and silent auction on Wednesday, November 14 at Riccardo's by the Bridge, Astoria. In keeping with a longstanding tradition, Joseph Pistilli, president, chief executive officer and chairman of First Central Savings Bank and chairman of the board of Pistilli Real Estate, acted as master of ceremonies and auctioneer. Leonard D'Amico and Peter Florey of D & F Development Group, LLC and Antonio Martin, Queens Hospital Center executive director, were presented with awards as guests of honor for 2007. Tehillah Menes, M.D., chief, breast service, attending physician, Elmhurst Hospital Center Department of Surgery and assistant professor, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Surgery; and Jeffrey Sandhaus, M.D., P.C., Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens, received the organization's Physicians Recognition Award. The SHAREing & CAREing Community Recognition Award was conferred on Philip l. Straub, First Central Savings Bank vice president, business development, and Judy Trilivas, R.N., M.A., Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens acting chief operating officer. Christina Hernandez-Genna, First Central Savings Bank Mortgage Department Residential Loan Coordinator, received the organization's Service Recognition Award. First Central Savings Bank received the SHAREing & CAREing Corporate Sponsorship Recognition Award.

(L.) City Councilmember David Weprin and SHAREing & CAREing Co- Founder Anna Kril.

The organization's door prize was a coffee basket donated by White Coffee Corp. The silent auction opened with three exclusive prizes: a one-year membership to Evolution, a state-of-the-art workout facility, donated by Gus Prentzas of Evolution Gym; a 14-karat gold necklace and angel pendant donated by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and a six-month membership to The Rock Health and Fitness Center, donated by Andrew Latos of The Rock. Bids for these items started at $100.

(L.) Master of ceremonies and auctioneer Joseph Pistilli, president, chief executive officer and chairman of First Central Savings Bank and chairman of the board of Pistilli Real Estate, and Assemblymember Michael Gianaris.

The silent raffle began as participants purchased blocks of pink raffle tickets, each of which offered one chance at winning a door prize, viewed the prizes set out on the auction table and put their raffle tickets in a bag with a numbered star on it in front of each item. Raffle prizes included an Olympus digital camera and case, a $150 gift certificate to Island Restaurant and Lounge and a basket of wine, a portable DVD player, a Cuisinart indoor grill and a set of spices, two tickets to the Radio City Christmas spectacular and a basket filled with Christmas trimmings, a $100 gift certificate to Trattoria L'Incontro Restaurant and a basket of wine and a "full day of beauty" at Space Salon & Spa and a basket of skin care products. Among those donating raffle prizes were the Queens Democratic organization, Thomas Nowierski, Joseph Risi & Associates and Vino di Vino.

(L. to r.): Joseph Pistilli, Anna Kril, SHAREing & CAREing Vice President Carol Scarano and City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.

SHAREing & CAREing was founded to serve breast cancer survivors on May 7, 1994 by Anna Kril, Carol Scarano, Lucille Hartmann and Mary Demakos, all breast cancer survivors. SHAREing & CAREing seeks to dramatically improve medical services to all women through early detection, treatment and information about living with the effects of breast cancer regardless of economic stratum. The organization provides breast health outreach, education, support and advocacy services for medically under-served and uninsured women, including heightening awareness about the importance of early detection, self-breast examination and mammography screening and supports women diagnosed and treated for any cancer exclusive to women. Among the services that have been provided are transportation, pharmaceutical assistance and hair prosthetics, educational outreach to schools, churches and civic organizations and support group meetings.

For more information, call 718-777-5766. Photos Rose Albergo and Melissa Mennona