I’ve known Nicole Porto for several years as the public relations representative for the Royal Asscher Diamond Company. She is a sweet person who does her job extremely well and who is far too young to have such a serious illness.
In June Nicole was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder. Since the illness was discovered she has undergone several blood transfusions and is scheduled for a bone-marrow transplant on December 6.
To help offset her medical expenses several of her many friends have set up the Nicole Porto Fund website where those who are interested can give a donation through PayPal.
In addition, friends of Nicole will hold a benefit on December 4 in New York at The Malt House on Thompson Street. It will include a jewelry sale, raffle and silent auction. The event admission is $25 that can be made at the website on in person at the event.
All of the proceeds from registration fees, silent auction and raffle tickets will go directly to Nicole's medical bills. Lita Asscher, Diana Widman and Lois Sasson are donating 35 percent of all jewelry sales to Nicole.
The raffle and silent auction prizes will include:
* Two free passes for flights anywhere in the U.S. on Virgin America Airlines!!
* Forty percent discount flight passes from Virgin America
* A 3-month membership to Equinox
* Dinner cooked by a professional chef
* Limited edition fine pens by Faber-Castell
* Nicole's favorite Diana Widman earrings
* A floating diamond necklace by Royal Asscher
* Fine jewelry donations by industry talent
* A summer weekend in a Vermont country house
More information and instructions about making donations and attending the event are on the website.
Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes website.
