Super Saturday Raises $3.6 Million for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Super Saturday Raises $3.6 Million for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
Kelly Ripa and her daughter, Lola, enjoying the Ferris wheel at Super Saturday. (Andrew Walker/Getty Images)
7/31/2012
Updated:
4/24/2016

WATER MILL, NY—Every summer, hundreds descend to an open field in Water Mill, N.Y., to shop ’til they drop in the name of charity—specifically the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), the largest private nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to funding ovarian cancer research.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Super Saturday is a daylong family-oriented event that features merchandise from more than 200 designers, spa, hair, and makeup services, as well as plenty of activities to keep kids entertained while mom and dad shop and indulge.

Super Saturday was founded in 1998 by good friends Donna Karan and Liz Tilberis, former editor of Harper’s Bazaar who fell victim to ovarian cancer in 1999. It began as a simple tag sale in Tilberis’s backyard for close family and friends. As the years progressed, it transformed into the most anticipated and successful fundraising event for the OCRF.

This year’s Super Saturday, held on July 28 and hosted by Donna Karan, Kelly Ripa, Paula Patton, and Ariel Foxman, featured fashions from designers such as Donna Karan, Robert Rodriguez, Alice + Olivia, Theory, Ralph Lauren, Diane von Furstenberg, Helmet Lang, and many others.

There is a method to the madness, according to Kelly Ripa, who told me: “Some are very organized about their shopping and map out where they are going to go. I tend to just go alphabetically through the booths, and I’ve gotten really good bargains that way.”

Mark Feuerstein of the hit series “Royal Pains,” whose beloved aunt died of ovarian cancer, declared that some years he does more damage on behalf of his three children than he does for himself.

His children were no doubt entertained by Elyssa Stern at Camp Divalysscious, where kids enjoyed art projects, face painting, balloon artistry, and other fun activities.

Although Super Saturday’s best finds are attained early in the day, deeper discounts become available as the day goes on.

Multimedia retailer QVC was on hand to make this exciting experience available to shoppers nationwide by broadcasting live for two hours directly from the event.

Despite the rainy weather, the 15th annual Super Saturday managed to raise $3.6 million toward finding a cure for ovarian cancer, a devastating disease that claims the lives of approximately 15,500 women per year.

Although I heard humorous stories about people fighting for bargains and goody bags in the past, I am pleased to report that none of this was witnessed. Instead, I felt that the bigger goal of the day was remembered and realized.