Gray Skies, Bright Hearts: A Rainy Hamptons Day for Glioblastoma

By EMILY CHANDLER-WESTERGREEN, Special to The Paper

I really want to start this off “I don’t always travel to luxurious destinations to attend fabulous fundraisers, but when I do… ” but that would be a lie—because we all know that’s exactly what I do and what my intentions are. I live for a fancy gala and an exotic locale. Some might say I’m a socialite of the world. Actually no one says that, but I thought if I gave ya’ll a nudge, it might catch on.

So here we are in the summer, and naturally, you can find me in the Hamptons, mocktail in hand, surrounded by a sea of sun hats, monogrammed towels, and meaningful causes. This time, it was the Summer Soiree for Gray for Glioblastoma, a beautiful event supporting glioblastoma research—and one that hit especially close to home for me as a cancer survivor.

Now, let’s talk swag. Just as you can absolutely judge a book by its cover, a stellar soiree can and will be judged for its level of swaginess. I knew I was in for a good time when I spotted the monogram machine cranking out custom beach towels like it was Fashion Week for terry cloth. Add in personalized luggage tags (which now live on my most impractical but cutest carry-on), and it was clear this wasn’t your average benefit. Yes, it poured rain all day. Yes, my hair gave up around 6 PM. But when you’re slurping oysters under a canopy, sipping bubbly, and wiping caviar off your chin with something that literally has your name on it, the weather just becomes…ambiance.

But beyond the lovely touches and decadent bites, what really stood out was the heart of the event. Glioblastoma is a devastating diagnosis, and the community gathered that day was there not just to raise money, but to lift each other up. As someone who’s been through the ringer with cancer, it meant a lot to witness hope and humor living side-by-side. Rain or shine, this summer soiree proved that gray doesn’t mean gloomy—it means strength, solidarity, and a damn good beach towel.