Industry Rallies Around Stricken Rep

Industry Rallies Around Samantha Tuttlebee, Holds Benefit To Raise Funds
 

Samantha Tuttlebee and her son, Aidan.

A silent auction and cash bar will be held this Wednesday evening, September 29, at Highbar in New York City to benefit Samantha Tuttlebee.  Tuttlebee is an independent sales rep and former staff rep at 89 Editorial and BlueRock who is in dire need of a heart transplant.  The benefit, titled “We Heart Sam,” is being organized by her friends at a range of companies, including Maria Stenz of Stenz + Co., Sharon Lew of Lew & Company, Trevor King of Click 3X, Caryn MacLean of Union Editorial, Chris Ott of Merkley, Michelle Stuart of The Artists Company, Veronica Beach of Pool, Jolie Miller of Simpatico, Beth Kinder of Freemarket Films, freelance  copywriter Melissa Berman and Moana Page, a close friend. 
 
Tuttlebee, the single mother of a 12-year son, suffers from a congenital heart defect that has left her unable to work while she awaits a donor heart suitable for transplant.  Her friends and colleagues have been assisting with her everyday needs while helping find additional means of support to allow her to focus on her health and maintain her spirits. 
 
All proceeds from the Highbar event will be used for Tuttlebee’s support, says Stenz.  The event will include a silent auction and music from several production industry members who will double as DJs for the night.  A suggested donation of $20 will be collected at the door.  Highbar is located at 251 W 48 Street, between Eighth Avenue and Broadway.  Doors open for the event at 6:30 PM.
 
Tuttlebee says she’s totally humbled by the industry response to her condition, and is doing her best to advocate for additional research and funding into the cause and treatment of congenital heart defects.  She was recently interviewed on the subject by a camera crew from National Geographic, which is preparing a documentary on the impact of congenital heart defects, which Tuttlebee says is the number one form of birth defect in the US and the number one cause of birth defect-related deaths.  She cites stats from the Children’s Heart Foundation that claims nearly twice as many kids die from congenital heart defects in the US each year as from all forms of childhood cancer combined, yet cancer research is funded at a level five times higher than that which is devoted to heart defects.
 
“This is my chance to be a spokesperson for others,” says Tuttlebee about her new role.  “I’ve realized that I can now be a rep for people in need, people who don’t have the ad business behind them and supporting them, like I do. They don’t have the benefit of not having to worry about their basic needs.”
 
In addition to having to deal with massive medical bills and caring for her family, Tuttlebee was told recently by her landlord that he’s sold her apartment building and she and her son have to move within the next few months, so she has to deal with that while also taking care of her health. She’s attempting to find a new apartment in the same neighborhood where she lives in Brooklyn, so that her son does not have the additional disruption of switching schools.
 
“The fundraiser is going to be huge, since it will help not only with our bills but with the move,” Tuttlebee says. “Again, I can’t thank everyone enough.
 
For more information on the event, go to www.weheartsam.org.