Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) held its annual Beauty of Giving luncheon and live auction benefiting Cancer and Careers, on December 13, 2019, at The New York Hilton.

The event highlights the unique role of Cancer and Careers, which provides free education, services and information to cancer survivors, healthcare providers, and employers nationwide; and helps enable patients and survivors to balance treatment and recovery with employment, including job search and reentry, health insurance, practical, legal, and psychosocial issues of working through treatment.

CEW & Sponsors Highlight Cancer & Careers’ Mission
    
Heidi Manheimer, Chairwoman, CEW Foundation, opened the program with a description of the mission of Cancer and Careers, saying, “Cancer and Careers is the only organization focused on how to continue to thrive in the work world while undergoing treatment. We serve people in every industry and with every type of cancer,” she said. “In addition, we provide accredited trainings, access to care, and insight into centers for research as well as medical care. You can turn to Cancer and Careers whenever you need help,” she said.
    
Manheimer thanked the sponsors, including Condé Nast, the lead sponsor for the past 12 years; and Pfizer Oncology, P&G Beauty, Robertet, Josie Maran, Korres, Orlandi, philosophy, tarte™, Tweezerman, New World Natural Brands, Beauty Inc, Consultancy Media, Kaplow, Suite K, and WWD.

Susan Plagemann, Chief Business Officer, Style Division, Condé Nast, thanked Carlotta Jacobson, President, CEW, and her team, and acknowledged the importance of the work that Cancer and Careers does; the enhanced conversation around cancer and treatment, and the role of work as a great source of self-esteem. In closing, she acknowledged the ways in which the beauty industry has championed the cause, thanking them for their innovation and for their compassion.
    
Rebecca Nellis, executive director, Cancer and Careers, said, “Cancer and Careers offers support when a person’s life/work balance is flipped. We serve more than 400,000 people a year, and help to build support systems for people with cancer that are well-defined. It takes persistence and funding. The stakes are high, and so is the payoff,” said Nellis.

She thanked the following partners for their generosity and support, including: Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, Genentech, HSN, Pfizer Oncology, P&G Beauty, QVC, Tweezerman, Chanel, Condé Nast, The Estée Lauder Companies, Firmenich, L’Oréal USA, Love Potion OdeParis, Shiseido, Dermstore, Eisai, Kaplow, Laura Geller, Nordstrom, Seattle Genetics®, and Servier.
    
B.J. Mitchell, executive assistant to the President and CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc., a cancer survivor, movingly related her own story of treatment and overcoming cancer, while a full-time employee.

Mitchell thanked her boss, Mike George, President and CEO of Qurate Retail, Inc., who was the first person she reached out to when she received her diagnosis.

Honoring Qurate Retail Group

Carlotta Jacobson, president, CEW, honored the Qurate Retail Group for its support of Cancer and Careers and described the genesis of the Beauty with Benefits multimedia event, which launched in 2013 with 16 beauty brands.

Conceived by Claudia Lucas, Beauty with Benefits began on QVC, and now includes HSN. It is a collaboration with CEW that has grown to include 100+ brands to date. “This collaboration,” said Jacobson, “now in its seventh year, has raised more than $10 million.”

Jacobson explained that 80% of the purchase price of donated merchandise funds Cancer and Careers’ work nationwide; and with the Qurate Retail Group’s reach in video commerce and storytelling, and the collective participation of the beauty industry, the results have been profound.

Next, Jacobson welcomed Mike George, President and CEO of Qurate Retail, Inc., who accepted the award on behalf of Qurate Retail Group.

George thanked B.J. Mitchell, with whom he has worked for 15 years, for telling her story; and recognized her spirit and character. “She has gotten her toughness and generosity of spirit from her mom,” said George, who emphasized the importance of creating a workplace where people can be valued and make a difference. “Cancer and Careers is the only non-profit of this kind that provides assistance to women working through cancer,” said George.
    
George thanked CEW on behalf of his team, saying, “I’m reminded of how privileged we feel to be inside so many homes and have a chance to use our home shopping platform for something like Beauty with Benefits.”

The Fundraising Auction

Each year Cancer and Careers reiterates its mission to serve individuals undergoing treatment with a fundraiser to help those in need, to “Be the Boss Over Cancer.” To that end, auctioneer, Pat Tully, lent his skill and enthusiasm to raise funds for the cause, with a variety of auction lots.
    
The lots up for auction included a Truffle Hunt in Umbria, Italy, donated by Skin&Co Roma; a Tahitian Cruise, donated by Ma Cher and Paul Gauguin Cruises; an Escape to Aspen and The Little Nell Hotel, donated by Augustinus Bader, Burton, Cos Bar, Ellina Aspen, Lily Garfield, and The Little Nell; a trip to One&Only: Palmilla Los Cabos, Mexico, donated by Condé Nast, Delta Airlines, and One&Only: Palmilla Los Cabos; a Luxury Retreat to Bali, donated by Benefit Cosmetics; and a Private Jumby Bay Island stay for eight, donated anonymously. The total amount raised this year was $550,000.