Actress Katie Holmes will headline this year's Rose of Hope luncheon for the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center at Bridgeport Hospital
Actress (and tabloid sensation) Katie Holmes will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Rose of Hope Luncheon on June 13, a benefit for the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center. Holmes has appeared in several notable films, ranging from the action blockbuster “Batman Begins” to critically acclaimed art house pictures such as “The Ice Storm” and “Pieces of April,” in which she plans a young woman planning a last Thanksgiving dinner for her mother, who is dying from breast cancer.
But despite her varied and impressive credits, she’s probably best known for two things: Playing Joey Potter on the iconic WB soap “Dawson’s Creek” and her recently ended marriage to Tom Cruise.
She is also an active philanthropist. In 2009 Holmes co-founded the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a non-profit organization which aims to help underprivileged youth realize their dream of becoming professional dancers and works to support, improve, and increase access to dance education in the United States. Her co-founders include director Adam Shankman; producer, Nigel Lythgoe; and “Dancing with the Stars” judge, Carrie Ann Inaba. Holmes’ work with the foundation was recognized at Variety’s 2010 Power of Women event .
Holmes is a supporter of children’s charities and international relief organizations, including the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. She was included in Love Our Children USA’s 2009 Mothers Who Make a Difference List, alongside First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.
The Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center, the first free-standing, community-based breast care center in Connecticut, has been helping women in the community fight breast cancer for over a decade.
One of the area’s largest and most publicized fundraisers, the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center’s Rose of Hope Luncheon takes place each year in June, with over 500 Fairfield County women and men attending. The luncheon serves as an important source of funds for the Breast Care Center’s programs for women in need, including their Medically Underserved Initiative, which provides financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured women. Over 700 women receive screening and diagnostic services through the Initiative each year, making it the largest program in the area.
The luncheon also raises money for the Breast Care Center’s outreach and education programs. “So many women are still unaware of their risk for breast cancer,” says Dr. Donna Twist, executive director of the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center in a press release put out by the center. “We feel its part of our mission to get the message out to women — early detection can save your life. Breast cancer is treatable and often curable when found early.”
“We’re so excited to have Katie at this year’s luncheon, helping to us to get the message out about breast cancer screening and early detection,” says Twist. “She’s a talented woman with a successful career and busy family life who makes time to help others,” says Twist. “
Daneen Grabe and Linda Blackwell, both of Fairfield, will co-chair the Rose of Hope Luncheon. Both are active members of the Breast Care Center’s President’s Council and Advisory Board. Cindy Citrone of the President’s Council will serve as Special Program Chair. For the ninth consecutive year, the Rose of Hope Luncheon will be held at the Fairfield home of Patti and Tom Keegan.
People’s United Wealth Management will also receive the 2013 Rose of Hope Award, which recognizes the charitable work of an individual or organization.
For ticket information, call 203-255-5300.
