Hamilton star to perform at ‘virtual’ Rose of Hope event Sept. 25

FAIRFIELD, CT (Sept. 9, 2020) – Bridgeport Hospital’s premier fundraising event, the Rose of Hope Luncheon to benefit the Norma Pfriem Breast Center, has been transformed into a virtual evening event starting at 7 pm Friday, Sept. 25, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Tony and Grammy Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry, who played Alexander Hamilton’s sister-in-law Angelica in the original cast of the Broadway hit Hamilton, will be the musical performer at “A Night of Magic Together while Remaining Apart.” Bank of America is the lead event sponsor. Other sponsors include Connie and John DeMattia and the DeMattia Charitable Foundation, and Judy and David Nessel and the Nessel Family Foundation (in memory of Amy Nessel). The event co-chairs are Elise Bucknall and Lynne Taikowski. For information, tickets, and to preview or bid on the vacation getaway auction items, visit ROH2020.givesmart.com.

The breast center’s popular fundraiser has been a live event for 20 years, drawing 500-600 guests annually. This year, those who register for the Sept. 25 webcast will be provided with login credentials at the time of registration. While virtual, it still promises to be an exciting and fun event!

“As you can imagine, Norma Pfriem Breast Center has been experiencing a dramatic loss in funding this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the needs of our patients have increased,” said Donna Twist, PhD, executive director of the center and vice president of development for Bridgeport Hospital.

“That’s why support of this year’s Rose of Hope event is more crucial than ever.”

Funds raised by the event directly impact the center’s ability to provide medical care, patient navigation and support services at the level of excellence our patients have come to expect from our breast cancer and other oncology programs in Bridgeport, Fairfield and Trumbull, Twist said.

“It not just our underinsured clients who continue to look to us during these uncertain times, but many of our other clients as well, who are facing added financial burdens due to the pandemic,” she added.

Beside Goldsberry’s musical performances, this year’s event will include a short film featuring breast center patents and their stories and after-party music provided by DJ Nomad NYC. In addition, each sponsorship or ticket includes a virtual party package featuring light fare and mini-bottle of sparkling wine.

Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org