Keynoter Emmitt Smith Just Seen Unmasked At Las Vegas Autograph Event. Agents Won’t Discuss COVID-19 Status.
American Cancer Society: “Many People Being Treated For Cancer … May Not Be Fully Protected…”
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Officials connected to today’s highly controversial Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation “Go Pink” event continue to refuse comment just hours before the luncheon is set to start. The mask optional, vaccine optional event will take place in The Boca Raton, the new name for the old hotel known as The Boca Resort.
The event’s headliner, former Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith, was just seen unmasked, signing autographs, at an unmasked event in Las Vegas.
At issue: why a hospital is hosting an indoor, unmasked fundraiser for immunocompromised women just as COVID-19 numbers locally are starting to stabilize. There is no testing requirement for the event’s attendees. Boca Raton Regional Hospital, where hundreds died from COVID-19, is not requiring vaccination proof for those taking part in the event. There is no way to eat lunch while wearing a mask.
It is also unclear whether Emmitt Smith will be tested for COVID-19 before entering the room where breast cancer patients are expected to be present. Media representatives at Octagon Management — Smith’s agency — refused to comment. Smith charges $50,000 to $100,000 as an appearance fee.
BocaNewsNow.com provided several opportunities for comment to Boca Raton Hospital Foundation President Mark Larkin, Spokeswoman Jen Rohloff, Baptist Regional Hospital Spokesman Michael Maucker, and Sara Green-Hill, Spokesperson for “The Boca Raton.”
All ignored or refused our requests. But those connected with Boca Raton Regional Hospital, and employees at “The Boca Raton” did not.
“You’re not getting a response because they know they’re making a huge mistake,” said a source connected to the event and aware of BocaNewsNow.com’s multiple requests for comment. “They got in too deep, too fast and they can’t cancel the event. They are scared.”
“It’s typical Boca,” added our source. “When given the chance to have a glitzy event or keep people alive, the glitzy event will win every time. There is just no reason that a foundation with so much money, connected to a hospital, is hosting an in-person event right now.”
Mark Larkin, who tax returns reveal is paid approximately $500,000 a year to oversee the Boca Raton Regional Foundation and its $300-Million bank account, also ignored our requests for comment on the Foundation’s in-person unmasked event at Boca West Country Club earlier this month.
We asked American Cancer Society national spokeswoman Kathy DiNicola and Miami-based spokeswoman Viviana Martir for guidance concerning cancer fundraising during the COVID pandemic. Neither were interested in responding to questions on an issue that could negatively impact cancer fundraising. However, the American Cancer Society, on its website, stresses the dangers faced by immunocompromised cancer patients.
“Some cancer patients might be at increased risk of serious infection in general because their immune systems can be weakened by cancer and its treatments.”
COVID-19 numbers in Palm Beach County are returning to lower levels. The current positivity rate is 4.5 percent. But what is today considered low was just a year ago considered deadly. Lockdowns were first initiated when the positivity rate reached 5 percent.
