The 32nd annual Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala held at Cipriani 42nd Street raised more than $2 million for critical Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs.
Willie Geist, co-anchor of The Today Show and Morning Joe emceed the event, which included remarks from Gala General Chair and Founder Princess Yasmin Aga Khan (daughter of Rita Hayworth) and 2015 Gala Chair Daryl Simon.
Simon gave a moving speech about her mother’s battle with the disease, which inspired her to become involved with the Gala.
Michele and Larry Herbert were honored with the Rita Hayworth Award and Michele spoke powerfully about her dedication to the cause drawing both laughter and tears from the crowd. The Herbert’s recently committed a substantial gift to create the Michele and Larry Herbert Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s in Women Fund as part of the Alzheimer’s Association Women’s Alzheimer’s Research Fund, which will support critical research into gender vulnerabilities in Alzheimer’s and why woman are disproportionately affected by this disease.
Later in the evening, CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller introduced B. Smith and Dan Gasby as they were honored with the Alzheimer’s Association Champions Award for their dedication to the cause and for B.’s courage in announcing her own diagnosis.
Actor Danny Glover sent a personal video message honoring his close friends B. and Dan for “bravely using their voices for Alzheimer’s” calling them his champions and heroes. Model Klara Urbanova donned the stunning purple gown celebrating fashion designer Naeem Khan, a longtime supporter of the organization, designed as a part of his Purple Dress Partnership with the Gala, which was auctioned off to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Other guests included: Brooke Shields, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ray Kelly, Hunt Slonem, Patty Smyth McEnroe, Brendan Shanahan, Yaz Hernandez, Olivia Jordan, Robin Meltzer, Sharon Bush, Nicole Sexton, Jean Shafiroff, John and Margo Catsimatidis, Somers Farkas, Chele Chiavacci Farley, Margo Nederlander, Karyn Kornfeld, Carleton Varney, Harold Koda, Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney.
Pictured:
B. Smith, Michele Herbert, Willie Geist, Daryl Simon, Dan Gasby
Ray Kelly