Palm Beach Rallies for Promise Fund

Written by:

Christine Schott

CAPEHART

03/19/2026

Founded in 2018 by Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker to ensure that no woman’s chance of surviving breast or cervical cancer is determined by her income, ZIP code, or access to care, the Promise Fund has quickly become a critical force across South Florida, expanding access to screenings, diagnostics, and patient navigation for women who might otherwise go without.

This mission was at the center of the organization’s annual donor celebration at Club Colette in Palm Beach, where close to 150 supporters gathered for an evening of fundraising and remembrance. Board member and longtime Palm Beach resident James “Chip” DiPaula, who sponsored the dinner, opened the event by outlining the organization’s continued expansion across Palm Beach and Broward counties, particularly in screening and follow-up care. That impact was most clearly expressed through a series of personal moments throughout the evening.

Dariyan Younessi received the inaugural Next Generation Leader in Philanthropy Award for his student-led initiative, Driven by the Promise, accepting the honor in memory of his grandmother, whose death from breast cancer shaped his family’s story. The evening also recognized Nasser and Yvonne Kazeminy with the Daniel E. Ponton Excellence in Community Service Award, and honored the late Irwin Levy, whose family remains closely involved in the Promise Fund’s work. The Betty Ford Trailblazer Award was presented posthumously by her daughter, Susan Ford Bales, to Dr. Michael Zinner, a leading figure in cancer care.

The evening’s central announcement came from Nancy G. Brinker, joined by her son Eric Brinker, who committed $1 million from the Goodman-Brinker family in honor of her parents, Ellie and Marvin Goodman, and her sister, Susan Goodman Komen. “This mission has always been deeply personal for our family,” Brinker said. “When we see the lives being changed and the women who are receiving care because of the Promise Fund, we know this work matters. Our hope is that this gift helps ensure that more mothers, daughters, and sisters have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives.”

The pledge set off the evening’s “Call to the Heart,” generating additional leadership gifts, including $100,000 contributions from Howard and Michele Kessler, David Brodsky, and James “Chip” DiPaula. In a final moment, Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim announced that he would match the Brinker family’s $1 million commitment, prompting a standing ovation and bringing the evening’s fundraising efforts to a close.

In total, the event generated more than $5 million in support of the Promise Fund’s work. Proceeds from the evening will support the organization’s continued expansion of breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostics, and treatment navigation, with a focus on reaching women earlier, when care is most effective.