Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine accompanied by HRH Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, in partnership with Lifeline New York, hosted the 6th Annual Benefit Luncheon to raise funds for pediatric cancer care in Serbia at Le Cirque on October 5th. Guests included Consul General of Serbia Mrs Mirjana Zivkovic, Lady Lully Gibbons, Ambassador Nancy Brinker, Kerry Kennedy, Ivana Trump, Kelly Bensimon, Dr. Ruth, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Jean Shafiroff, Kamie Lightburn, Dale Noelle, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Thomas James “Tommy” Tune, and Lucia Hwong-Gordon.
The president of the Board, Mr. David Hryck, welcomed guests and Event Chair Cheri Kaufman, who introduced TRH Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine and the balance of the program. Former Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg was also lunching at Le Cirque, and congratulated Ms. Kaufman and Lifeline New York on the gathering’s success.
Crown Prince Alexander spoke movingly about the work that Lifeline New York does in connection with the Crown Princess Katherine Foundation. “We can take this opportunity to improve the health and wellness of our future generation,” he said.”The equipment, expertise and doctor training that my wife’s foundation provides to the Serbian medical community have helped so many families. Lifeline New York does not discriminate against cultures or religions but helps all who cannot afford quality medical care.”
Crown Princess Katherine then thanked everyone involved with the Lifeline Foundation. “The people here today give me the strength and energy to carry on,” she said. “There aren’t enough people in the world who are ‘good examples’ but all the people here are great examples as you could have been anywhere else, but chose to be with me and Lifeline to help save the children and those in need. The support from our community of friends and the Serbian diaspora is so critical. We are so blessed to have their continuous generosity.”
Dr. Hedvig Hricak, the chair of the department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, was honored for her humanitarian work and contributions to improving health care in Serbia. Dr. Hricak is an international leader in the fields of oncologic imaging and molecular imaging. She is also devoted to women’s health issues and has worked on numerous global programs during her career. She is a former president of the Lifeline Humanitarian Organization where she and her husband, professor Alexander Margulis have supported Princess Katherine and Lifeline New York in Serbian healthcare projects, including: the development of a national Breast Cancer Screening Program, designing and leading training programs for radiologists and technologists, developing oncology conferences and providing expertise to improve the health care system. She spoke about how she has devoted her life to curing cancer in a country where breast cancer rates of diagnosis were once three times higher than they are now.
The event included a successful silent auction incorporating luxury items from Italian and Serbian designers and New York retailers including: Tizzini, Skatò, Duccio Venturi, Rivolta, MAG, Villa Artimino, Artwork by Prince Roberto Ruspoli, Eleuteri, Arme De L’Amour, Roksanda Ilincic, Beautique Restaurant, Kramer Studios Portrait, Rita Hazan Salon, Tiffany, Le Cirque Restaurant, Pierre Michel Salon, a Novak Djokovic autographed poster and a luxury fragrance basket.
About the charity: Lifeline New York works directly with the HRH Crown Princess Katherine Foundation in Belgrade to provide critically needed humanitarian aid to the people of Serbia regardless of religion or ethnic origin, with a focus on aiding physically and mentally handicapped children, orphans and working with medical institutions to improve health care throughout the country. Over the years, Lifeline has provided items such as neonatal ultrasound machines, mobile mammography unit, radiology training of medical staff, electric hospital beds for intensive care units, devices for children with impaired hearing, and computers for orphans. Lifeline New York is a non-profit humanitarian organization that receives no government funding, whose work is made possible through donations from caring people. To learn more visit www.lifelineny.org or contact 212-867-5050, office@lifelineny.org.
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