Patients from Children's National Medical Center Create Jewelry to Benefit Gabrielle's Angel Foundation
Gabrielle's Angel Foundation Board Member, Lorraine Schwartz honored her mother's memory with a day of jewelry making at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
This past January, Lorraine and her siblings Ofira, also a jewelry designer and Ilan Sandberg spent the day with patients between the ages of 6-and 15-years-old to create one-of-a-kind fine jewelry designs with gems donated by Lorraine Schwartz Inc.
Lorraine and her team taught the children various design techniques and created pieces for their favorite celebrity that inspired and help them get through their difficult treatments. For one of the creations, Lorraine worked closely with a young designer, Sammi, who wanted to design something special in memory of her sister Lexi, who recently passed away from liver cancer. They created a bracelet and earrings set for Miley Cyrus made of black spinel and green garnet set in 18K gold. Miley wore the bracelet to Clive Davis' Grammy party and the matching earrings are now available on Charitybuzz.com.
100 percent of the proceeds from the auction will fund a grant to provide jewelry and art therapy programs at Children's National Medical Center through a partnership with Gabrielle's Angels Foundation. Children's National is a leader in cancer research throughout the United States and around the world. Their dedicated oncology team is renowned for their expertise in specialized and comprehensive oncology care for children and teens.
Lorraine, who along with her siblings founded The Shulamit's Hope Foundation, in memory of their mother, Shulamit who died of lung cancer, said, "One of the most memorable times for our family was when my mother made jewelry during her treatment. It was so therapeutic for all of us. We still have those pieces and cherish them."
Lorraine and the young patients created a collection of pieces, which were recently spotted on some of today's hottest celebrities on the biggest red carpets:
Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research was created in 1996, when Grammy-nominated songwriter and philanthropist, Denise Rich lost her daughter Gabrielle, a vibrant 27-year-old actress and Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor, to acute myelogenous leukemia. Gabrielle's mother and sisters, Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter, believed the best way to Honor Gabrielle's memory was to create a Foundation that would fund the best and brightest scientific investigators with the hope that less toxic treatments, and ultimately a cure, might be discovered.
Gabrielle's Angel Foundation funds young scientific investigators conducting research in the fields of leukemia, lymphoma, and related cancers. Since its inception, Gabrielle's Angel Foundation has awarded grants totaling $23 million to over 100 of the top physician-scientists in America. Acknowledged by the Better Business Bureau as an Accredited Charity and recognized as one of the "Best in America" by the Independent Charities of America, Gabrielle's Angel Foundation maintains its status as one of the largest non-governmental sources of grant support for blood cancer research in the United States. In 2011, the Foundation announced the creation of its sister chapter, Gabrielle's Angel Foundation UK, which will expand its mission to fund similar research in the United Kingdom.
Lorraine Schwartz is a third generation diamond dealer. When she started designing for herself the world took notice. Before she knew it, A-list celebrities such as Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé Knowles, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jennifer Lopez were buying her collections and commissioning Lorraine to make one-of-a-kind pieces. Lorraine Schwartz jewelry is known for its individuality and workmanship and is adorned by celebrities and royal families worldwide. Schwartz has been honored by CFDA, Awarded the Accessories Council's Innovator of the Year, and named one of US Weekly's top 25 most stylish New Yorkers. Lorraine Schwartz, an ardent philanthropist, has been honored by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, The Einstein Foundation, and has funded cancer research through the Shulamit's Hope Foundation in memory of her mother. Lorraine Schwartz designs are sold exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman or by appointment only at her Fifth Avenue showroom in New York City.
Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation's children since 1870. Home to Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National is consistently ranked among the top pediatric hospitals by U.S.News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. Children's National is a Magnet designated hospital. With 303 beds and eight regional outpatient centers, Children's National is the only exclusive provider of acute pediatric services in the Washington metropolitan area. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Charitybuzz raises funds for nonprofits around the globe through online auctions with the world's most recognizable celebrities and brands. Featuring access to acclaimed actors and musicians, business and political leaders, sports stars, luxury travel, couture fashion, rare memorabilia and more, Charitybuzz brings its online community of bidders exclusive opportunities to live their dreams and make a difference. Since launching, Charitybuzz has raised more than $75 million for charity. To learn more, visit www.Charitybuzz.com, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Charitybuzz or follow us on Twitter at @Charitybuzz.
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