Washington, D.C. - Sing it out for the Sister to Sister Foundation and for international super-star Celine Dion, who graciously posed for photographs with foundation concert-goers just minutes before stepping on to the stage at the Verizon Center.
The captivating Dion concert held September 8 in Washington, D.C., provided an opportunity for Sister to Sister to host a special event to help pay for free cardiovascular screenings for women.
Irene Pollin, founder and chairman of the Sister to Sister Foundation, opened her private suite at the Verizon Center to special guests who wanted to enjoy the concert and, at the same time, support the nonprofit foundation.
It was an unexpected bonus when Ms. Dion — attired for her performance in a red dress and silver stilettos, agreed to have her picture taken with the 30-some Sister to Sister benefactors backstage. Ms. Dion also took time to chat with each of them.
It was the first time Mrs. Pollin and her husband, Abe, used their suite for a Sister to Sister Foundation fundraiser. And judging by the positive reviews and fully subscribed skybox, it won't be the last. Mr. and Mrs. Pollin, owners of the Verizon Center, were both on hand for the concert.
"Money raised by our event will provide free heart health screenings to approximately 2,600 women in 2009 — about half of whom will learn that they may be at risk for heart disease," said Mrs. Pollin.
The Verizon Center is one of the venues used since 2000 for the annual Sister to Sister heart screening fairs in the United States.
Among those attending the event were Deborah and Steve Epstein, Drs. Bernadine Healy and Floyd Loop, Gail and Shelley Himelfarb, Irma and Lester Poretsky, Judith and Leland Bishop, Nancy and Harold Zirkin, Aniko Gaal Schott and Nash Whitney Schott, Grace Tang, Marcell Soloman, Judy and Peter Kovler, Fariba and Reza Jahanbani, Dr. Celia Maxwell, Tuleda Johnson, and Ryna and Mel Cohen.
Additional contributions were generously donated by others unable to attend the event, including The Honorable William and Sheila Newman, Buffy and William Cafritz, Judy McHale and Michael O'Halloran, Shelly Kay and Al Policicchio, Vicky and Roger Sant, Barbra and Jack Kay, Clarice and Robert Smith, and Glenna and David Osnos.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the USA. Sister to Sister is the only national organization that provides free heart-health screenings for women. Since its inception in 2000, more than 175,000 women across the country have attended foundation events and 70,000 have received free screenings.
Photo 1: Celine Dion belts out a song at the Verizon Center.
Photo 2: Foundation backers Harold and Nancy Zirkin listen to the music.
Photo 3: Dr. Bernadine Healy (far left) and her husband Dr. Floyd Loop and Deborah Epstein chatting before the concert begins.
Photo 4: Enjoying the Dion concert are (from far left) Reza and Fariba Jahanbani, Grace Tang, and seated on the ledge Marcell Soloman.
Photo 5: Aniko Gaal Schott (left), Nash Whitney Schott, and Washington Life Editor-in-Chief Nancy Bagley in the executive suite.