The Rose To Receive ‘Women Of Courage’ Award At Upcoming Benefit

The Rose, a nonprofit breast cancer organization in Bellaire, will receive a “Women of Courage” award at an upcoming benefit in February.

The Houston Chapter of Hasassah will honor three honorees at its 2011 Women of Courage benefit, “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” on Feb. 13 at the Westin Oaks Hotel, 5011 Westheimer. A silent auction will open at 11 a.m. with the luncheon starting at noon.

Hadassah, a volunteer organization, has more than 300,000 members in the U.S., including more than 3,000 members in the Houston area.

The three honorees are The Rose, Sonia and the late Harold Raizes and Hayley Feldman.

“We are thrilled to incorporate several ‘firsts’ this year – the first time Women of Courage has honored someone posthumously, the first time to honor a man, the first time to honor an organization and we’re introducing our first-ever ‘Woman of Tomorrow’ Award recipient,” said Joy Blog, event co-chair with Linda Rubenfeld.

The Rose co-founders, Dr. Dixie Melillo, a general surgeon specializing in breast cancer and CEO Dorothy Weston Gibbons, will accept the Women of Courage award at the benefit in February.

The Rose provides mammography screening, diagnosis, access to treatment and support to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, The Rose provided 27,837 screening and diagnostic procedures for those able to pay; 15,680 screening and diagnostic procedures at no charge to low income, uninsured women; 7,621 free patient navigation services to other treatment patients without insurance.

Representing “Yesterday” is the late Harold Raizes, a venerable Houston businessman and Jewish leader.

Sonia Raizes, who, along with “The Rose,” signifies “Today,” is a National Associate of Hadassah and a member of the National Board of Hadassah, she served as the National Fundraising Task Force Coordinator for the Greater Southwest Regions and Area Founders Chair for the National Major Gifts Department.

Sonia Raizes is a breast cancer survivor and has served as Area Chair for Houston’s Cancer Drive.  She has also been involved in community leadership roles including, Young Judaea, United Jewish Appeal (UJA) and her synagogue board and Sisterhood.

“I couldn’t receive this honor without Harold, of blessed memory, being honored too,” said Sonia Raizes, reminiscing how Harold, a former president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and a Hadassah Associate and committed supporter of Hadassah, was always at her side at Hadassah functions.

The “Woman of Tomorrow” is Hayley Feldman, who has been active in Hadassah in the LeAtid group for 11 years, holding many positions, including Membership Vice President, Fundraising Committee President and restructuring LeAtid to include daytime meetings.

At the Houston Chapter level, Feldman has served as Membership Vice President, Strategic Planning Committee, and coordinated mailings of the Women of Courage luncheon invitations.  She is a PTO Vice President and Board Member for Beth Yeshurun Day Schools, Federation Collage 2011 Kick-off Co-Chair and has been active in Congregation Beth Yeshurun Sisterhood and the “Friends of Godwin Park” committee.

Tables are available for purchase at the $1,800, $1,000 and $750 levels.  Premium reserved individual seats are $150 and individual reserved seats are $54. For further information on purchasing or putting together tables, tickets or donating items to the auction, contact the Hadassah office at houstonadmin@HADASSAH.org or call 713-661-1022.