November 06, 2008

The Hassenfeld Committee Co–chairs, Susan Block Casdin, Morgan Hertzan, Steven Jaffe, Patti Kim, Kelly Mack, and Harlan Fabrikant Saroken, and Caesars Atlantic City hosted “Adults in Toyland Casino Night” to benefit the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at NYU Langone Medical Center on Wednesday, November 5, 2008, at Cipriani 23rd Street.

Event-goers, stars, and socialites including Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch, Shoshana Gruss, Dylan Lauren, Former New York Knicks John Starks, Dan Abrams, George Oliphant, Sara Gore, David Zinczenko, Bailey Chase, Charlie Walk, and Guest DJ Pedro Andrade gambled the night away and bid on priceless silent auction items including walk-on roles to hit shows 30-Rock and Ugly Betty and a meet-and-greet with Heidi Klum at the Project Runway finale, showing their support for the Hassenfeld Center.

Over 600 people attended the event, which raised $500,000 to fund integrative care support programs at The Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The Center has been a leader in the outpatient treatment of children with cancer and blood disorders, combining world-class medical therapies and facilities with psychosocial and emotional support services for young patients and their families. The experts at the Center provide compassionate, personalized care, which creates a positive experience during the child's fight against cancer and blood disorders. All services are offered to Hassenfeld Center patients and families regardless of their ability to pay.

The Hassenfeld Committee is a group of young professionals representing a variety of corporate, cultural and philanthropic interests. The Committee’s goal is to help provide services that reduce stress and anxiety for patients and families, services which are often not covered by health insurance. The Hassenfeld Committee’s events have raised over $3 million to support programs at the Hassenfeld Center for the more than 850 children treated there each year.

Funds raised from the Adults in Toyland Casino Night event support programs that include interim treatment, transportation and lodging costs for patients and families in need of emergency and discretionary funds, nutrition education, health education and music therapy, and also support staff positions critical to these programs.

Attendees also included Dr. Robert I. Grossman, dean and CEO of NYU Langone Medical Center; Dr. William Carroll, director of the NYU Cancer Institute; Catherine Scott Manno, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center; The Hassenfeld Family: Sylvia Hassenfeld, NYU Langone Medical Center trustee; Alan Hassenfeld, chairman of the Board of Hasbro, Inc.; Ellen Block; Michael Block; Stephen J. Czech, Hassenfeld Advisory Board member and NYU Cancer Institute board member; Maya and Edward Manley, co-founders of the Making Headway Foundation; Dr. Aaron Rausen, founder of the Hassenfeld Center; and Dr. Jeffrey Allen, director of the Pediatric Neuro-oncology program at NYU Cancer Institute.

Learn More

Read more and view photos in the New York Social Diary

Media Release (PDF) - (Toyland_Release_2008_Final.pdf)

Print-Quality Image (300dpi) (L-R: Morgan Hertzman, Kelly Mack, Susan Block Casdin, Dan Nita, Patti Kim, Harlan Fabrikant Saroken, Steven Jaffe) - (Morgan_Hertzan_Kelly_Mack_Susan_Block_Casdin_Dan_Nita_Patti_Kim_Harlan_Fabrikant_Saroken_Steven_Jaffe.jpg)