Ralph Macchio To Be Honored At LI's Maurer Foundation's Gala

GARDEN CITY, NY — Ralph Macchio of "The Karate Kid" fame is set to be the honoree at the Maurer Foundation's 2024 Pink Diamond Gala, the charity announced.

The Maurer Foundation, a Melville-based charity, holds the gala annually to support breast cancer education and prevention. This year's gala is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Garden City Hotel.

Gala attendees will have the opportunity to join Macchio and other distinguished guests in supporting the foundation. The evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, live music, raffles, and a silent auction. Tickets, worth $550, can be purchased here.

Macchio, a Long Island native, is best known for his iconic role as Daniel LaRusso in "The Karate Kid."

"He has long been a champion for causes close to his heart, making him a fitting choice for this year’s honoree," the foundation wrote in a news release.

Macchio expressed his enthusiasm for his role as honoree.

"The Maurer Foundation's focus on youth education and prevention is what I find most inspiring," Macchio said in a news release. "Information yields the power to save lives and the wider the reach, the better the results. Paying forward Dr. [Virginia] Maurer's knowledge and expertise to the younger generation only increases our chances for good health into the future. They are doing incredible work."

The Pink Diamond Gala, which has become a cornerstone event for The Maurer Foundation, aims to raise critical funds to support its educational programs. These programs are designed to equip young people with the knowledge and tools they need to understand and reduce breast cancer risk.

"We are humbled to have Ralph Macchio as our 2024 Pink Diamond Gala Honoree," said Susan Samaroo, executive director of The Maurer Foundation. "His dedication to our mission makes him an
exemplary ambassador for our cause. We look forward to celebrating Ralph and raising vital funds to
advance our programs and initiatives."

The Maurer Foundation is a non-profit established in 1995 by Long Island breast surgeon, Dr. Virginia Maurer. Their mission is to save lives through breast health education that focuses on breast cancer prevention, early detection, risk reduction and healthy lifestyle choices.