2012 Greater Hartford NBC Connecticut Women Against MS Luncheon
HARTFORD, Conn. – The Greater Hartford NBC Connecticut Women Against MS Luncheon will be held Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
According to statistics, three times as many women are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as are men. As a result, women now come together annually throughout the state of Connecticut to learn, through inspirational personal accounts, about the effects of this potentially debilitating disease and the latest advances in treatment and care. These same women join together to raise critically needed funds to move scientific research forward to find a cure. These funds also provide for the continuation of vital programs and services offered by the chapter to the more than 6,000 state residents battling the baffling and oftentimes debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. Since 2001 these dynamic groups have been known as Women Against MS, or WAMS.
This year’s Greater Hartford NBC Connecticut Women Against MS (WAMS) Luncheon will include boutique shopping before and after the luncheon. The luncheon will feature reality television star, Jill Zarin, formerly of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City; Lisa Wexler, award-winning talk radio host of The Lisa Wexler Show; and Ronda Giangreco, author of “The Gathering Table” and MS In My Life speaker. Lisa Carberg, NBC Connecticut anchor, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
Jill Zarin is best-known for her time as part of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Born and raised in Woodmere, N.Y., Zarin graduated from Simmons College School of Retail Management. She began her career as assistant buyer at Filenes and grew to become the national sales manager and vice president of Great American Knitting Mills Jockey division. She joined her husband, Bobby Zarin, owner of Zarin Fabric Warehouse, as a marketing consultant soon after they married.
In 2008, Zarin was cast in “The Real Housewives of New York City,” which she appeared on for four seasons. The show grew into an opportunity to expand the Zarin brand and create her own line of products. Inspired by her husband’s business, Zarin designed her first Jill Zarin Home Bedding Collection that is sold exclusively at Bed Bath and Beyond. Zarin then designed Skweez Couture, a fashionable shapewear line that is available in major retail and department stores such as Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, Von Mauer, and Boston Proper. Most recently, she launched the Jill Zarin Jewelry Collection. Her latest collection launched in major department stores in July, 2012.
In addition to her on-screen and business endeavors, Zarin is a well sought-after public speaker. She was the keynote speaker at the Kodak 2010 conference for over 2,000 employees, the Weight Watchers Remarkable Women charity luncheon in Detroit, and honorary host and emcee of the GLAAD OutAuction. Zarin has spoken at college campuses across the country such as Brown, Simmons College, and Rutgers Business School. Zarin has also served as spokesperson for Kodak and Pantene.
Zarin wrote her first book, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother,” with her mom, Gloria Kamen, an advice columnist, and her sister Lisa, host of The Lisa Wexler Show, a daily talk radio show. “Secrets of a Jewish Mother” is now in its third printing and is being translated into Japanese, Chinese and Russian. Zarin and Wexler will sign copies of the book from 11 a.m. to noon.
Wexler, the Gracie-Award winning creator of The Lisa Wexler Show will also speak at the luncheon, a talk radio show. Listen to her daily from 4:00- 6:00 PM EST in New York at AM 1230 WFAS or at lisawexler.com.
Zarin frequently appears on national television talk shows and has nearly a million followers on social media. For more updates and information, sign up for Zarin’s newsletter at www.jillzarin.com.
Funds raised through Connecticut Chapter events, such as WAMS Luncheons, ensure ongoing scientific research to find better treatments and a cure. These funds also provide for the continuation of vital programs and services offered by the chapter to the more than 6,000 Connecticut residents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease for which there is no cure.
The 2012 NBC Connecticut Women Against MS Luncheon takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center on Thursday, Nov. 15. Seats are limited. Boutique shopping begins at 10 a.m. and lunch starts at noon. Boutique shopping will resume after the luncheon, continuing until 3 p.m. Media partners include West Hartford-based NBC Connecticut and The River 105.9.
For more information or to reserve a seat, call 800-FIGHT MS or visit www.ctfightsMS.org.
10/19/12