Despite the early hour, the art deco lobby of the landmark hotel was abuzz with excitement as some 800 guests gathered for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's sixth annual symposium and awards luncheon. I had flown in from the west coast the night before on a plane carrying half the usual number of people. The truncated passenger list was a result of the September 11th tragedy that had changed the New York skyline -- and all our lives -- forever.

I had been looking forward to this day for almost a year. John and I were donating two beautiful rings to be given away as prizes. We had named one of them (a 10-carat plus rubellite tourmaline and diamond ring) "Evelyn's Hope," in tribute to Evelyn H. Lauder, founder and chairman of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Mrs. Lauder, senior corporate vice president of the Estee Lauder Companies, launched the not-for-profit foundation in 1993. The BCRF, which is the largest national organization funding clinical and genetic breast cancer research, has so far committed some $30 million in grants to support breast cancer research throughout the country.

I wished that John could have been with me, but he was in Minnesota for our "Gems at Large" weekend on ShopNBC. I would be joining him after the luncheon was over with so much to tell. Meanwhile, there was work to be done. My video crew was already there,shooting footage to be shared with viewers during our November shows. I admit to being slightly nervous. My filming schedule included one-on-one interviews with Mrs. Lauder; Libby Pataki, wife of New York Governor George Pataki; Mike Bloomberg, media mogul and Republican candidate for New York mayor; and Michael Sperber, former chief of the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department on Long Island. Chief Sperber was in Manhattan for the funeral of a fellow fire fighter who had lost his life in the World Trade Center disaster.

Suddenly, a wave of excitement spread across the lobby. Evelyn Lauder was making her way through the crowd, which had sprung up around her. There was no mistaking who she was. Elegant, delicate and beautiful, she has great presence. She wore a tailored jacket highlighted with metallic threads in the symbolic pink that represents the battle against cancer. Although we had been working together through staff members on both sides, we had never officially met. I introduced myself to Mrs. Lauder who greeted me warmly with a hug and a peck on the cheek. Then she took me by the arm to meet other foundation members, including Myra J. Biblowit, the new BCRF president. Both of these wonderful women personify the words "gracious" and "lovely." Ms. Biblowit, too, has an impressive list of corporate, philanthropic and public service credits.

I was asked to circulate among the guests and show the "Evelyn's Hope" ring that was being given away as the luncheon prize. The second ring we donated, an all diamond piece, was to be presented at a later date. Future prizes also included Mrs. Lauder's favorite breast cancer pin. She has literally hundreds of them, but she wanted to contribute the one she loved the most. When Mrs. Lauder checked the inside of the pin for information on the designer, it turned out to be a Laura Ramsey ™ original. We all had chills when we learned of this startling, but wonderful coincidence. (The breast cancer pins may be obtained by clicking on the link. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the BCRF.)

Mrs. Lauder opened the symposium on "Genetics and Breast Cancer" with a history of the foundation. The applause level soared as she announced awards of $8.5 million in grants to 50 researchers at noted cancer centers. In addition, a portion of all the monies raised by the foundation in October will be shared by the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and New York City's Twin Towers Fund to help the families of New York City police officers, fire fighters and rescue workers.

The symposium was moderated by Dr. Larry Norton, head of the Division of Solid Tumor Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and included panel members Joan S, Brugge, Ph.D, of Harvard Medical School; Mary-Claire King, Ph.D., of the University of Washington; Arnold J. Levine, Ph.D., of The Rockefeller University; Joan Marks, M.S., of the New York Breast Center Project at Sarah Lawrence College; and Michael Wigler, Ph.D., of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The tone was optimistic, in keeping with the foundation's mission of "finding a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime." The panelists spoke about ongoing research, new findings, and promising medications. "We have entered a new phase of science," Dr. Norton declared, stressing the importance of the human genome project and modern detection techniques. The speakers focused on a range of genetic findings and then turned the discussion over to the audience for questions.

Afterwards, we went upstairs to the beautifully appointed Empire Room. The luncheon began with a stirring rendition of "God Bless America" that brought the guests to their feet. There were not many dry eyes in the room as we all joined in. Mrs. Lauder welcomed the guests and introduced luncheon emcee Elizabeth Vargas. Mrs. Pataki and Mr. Bloomberg then took their turns at the podium.

My heart beat wildly when Mrs. Lauder called me up to the podium to present the rubellite ring named in her honor. A hush fell over the room as she prepared to draw the winning ticket. The announcement brought applause and "oohs and ahs" as the ring was officially presented. Another highlight of the afternoon was meeting our friend Jane, a dedicated "Gems at Large" viewer.

I felt as though I were living a dream. Then all too quickly, it was over. The BCRF had done it again - another perfect event for a cause that touches all our lives. I've been told by foundation members that each of the annual luncheons has its own personality, a cumulative persona that makes it special. I realized that Oct. 4, 2001 might have been the most special of all. Dedicated to defeating a life threatening illness and taking place so soon after the World Trade Center catastrophe, it was a tribute to survival and the courage of the BCRF, New York, and the nation.

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