Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School and area senior services provider, announced today that it raised $1.25 million at this year’s annual EngAGE forum, surpassing previous years’ fundraising totals. The event featured Meredith Vieira, Emmy award winning host, executive producer, and former co-anchor of Today on NBC, who headlined alongside Rita Moreno, octogenarian singer, dancer and actor, and Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner. WBZ-TV’s Dr. Mallika Marshall also participated in the event, interviewing Meredith Vieira on stage in front of the intimate audience.

The annual signature event, which was attended by nearly 400 people, was held on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2017, at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston’s South End.

Vieira and Moreno led conversations on healthy aging, with a particular emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease, a subject close to Vieira’s heart. Vieira has been a tireless advocate for people with Alzheimer’s disease, an illness that tragically claimed her father, brother and aunt.

Dr. Gary Epstein-Lubow, medical director of Hebrew SeniorLife’s planned center of excellence for Alzheimer’s disease and memory care, also spoke at the event.

“At Hebrew SeniorLife, we see aging as an opportunity – a time to pursue new interests, achieve goals, and find a deeper connection to one’s community. That’s why we are committed to helping seniors live healthy, fulfilling lives and to supporting the people who care for older adults,” said Lou Woolf, HSL president and CEO. “EngAGE is an evening to examine new and innovative approaches so we can all live better as we age.”

All proceeds generated by EngAGE fund HSL’s work to provide exceptional health care, strengthen communities, conduct research, and teach the next generation of geriatricians and other clinicians. Jeffrey and Jennifer Drucker and Hinda and Arthur Marcus, all of Chestnut Hill, were co-chairs for this year’s event.

For more information about EngAGE, visit hslengage.org.

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