Annual "Seeds of Hope" Women's Health Event Takes Place May 22
Erie, Pennsylvania – May is recognized as Women’s Health Month, and an annual tradition to raise awareness to the work being done to advance women’s health continues in Erie.
On the morning of Thursday, May 22 at The Kahkwa Club, the Hamot Health Foundation joins forces with Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) and Penn State Behrend for Seeds of Hope. This yearly event, which runs from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., is an opportunity for leading researchers, oncologists, and local women to share and learn the latest in breakthrough research and treatments.
Seeds of Hope began in 2017 by the late Diane Mitra as a grassroots effort to benefit Magee-Womens Research Institute – where she’d been a patient being treated for endometrial cancer - with awareness and funds.
With the growth of this yearly event, and the leadership of Hamot Health Foundation, Magee-Womens Research Institute Erie was launched as the first MWRI expansion outside Pittsburgh. The event in its modern iteration serves to honor Diane’s memory after her passing in 2021, and continue the legacy of promoting and advancing women’s health care in Erie and beyond. Hamot Health Foundation development officer Nick Cianci has worked as an integral link between Hamot Health Foundation and MWRI.
“In less than six years, we’ve invested $26 million in the local infrastructure to conduct women’s health research.” said Cianci, “In that time, we’ve also enrolled more than 1,200 women in life-changing research in topics from fertility and prenatal health to menopause and aging.”
The 2025 edition of this long-standing luncheon will welcome out esteemed guests from Penn State Behrend in chancellor Ralph Ford, PhD and vice chancellor and associate dean for research Alicyn Rhoads, PhD alongside leading researchers from Magee-Womens Research Institute in Halina Zyczynski, MD (medical director, MWRI Erie; director, Women's Health Service Line at UPMC Hamot), Megan Bradley, MD, Ashley Russell, Ph.D., John Harris, MD, MSc, and Carla Picardo, MD, MPH. Attendees will be able to learn from educational sessions, participate in panel discussions, Q&As, and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and food of The Kahkwa Club.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the vital work of MWRI Erie.
If you are unable to attend Seeds of Hope, but would like support the advancement of women’s health, consider a donation to the Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie Fund. This fund helps expand research and trials for areas including reproductive development, pregnancy and newborn medicine, infectious disease, women’s cancers, and more.
To learn more about Seeds of Hope or Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie Fund, head to HamotHealthFoundation.org.
About Hamot Health Foundation:
Founded in 1881, Hamot Health Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission to lead the Erie community to better health. The vision and values of the organization are steered by an unwavering commitment to the 4 C’s: Clinical Excellence, Cutting Edge Research, Career Development, Community Health.
Follow The Foundation:
Stay updated on the latest news, initiatives, events, and programs from the Hamot Health Foundation at HamotHealthFoundation.org, or follow along on social media with Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hamot Health Foundation
Shawn Bednard, Development Coordinator
(814) 877-7038 | bednards@upmc.edu