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Huntington Charity League Diana Han
When it comes to her volunteer work on behalf of Huntington Hospital, it was meant to be, Diana Han believes. “I kept coming across people who were connected to the hospital,” she says, mentioning her daughter Irene’s softball coaches — who are physicians here — by way of example. So when a friend invited her to the 2017 gala for National Charity League Juniors of San Marino (which later became Huntington Charity League), she decided to attend. “I went with Irene to learn what the buzz was about,” she says.
Huntington Charity League (HCL) is a group of local volunteers who, at their annual gala, raise funds that benefit vulnerable babies and their families here. Support generated through the event also goes toward scholarships for select Huntington Hospital nurses.
A fateful day.
At that first HCL gala Diana attended, one of the auction prizes completely captured daughter Irene’s attention: a painting of the hospital. (Irene is herself a talented artist.) What made the auction item even more attractive was that whoever obtained it would also get to have lunch with then-President and CEO Stephen A. Ralph, and receive a tour of the NICU.
Diana made a bid — and won. She, along with her husband, Nixon, and Irene, were all able to participate in the lunch and tour and, “During the lunch, I learned more about the hospital, and realized how inspired I was by its mission,” Diana says. Over the course of the NICU tour, her interest grew still further. “I was so moved by all the little lives that were so fragile and vulnerable,” she says.
“That experience sealed my fate,” she adds. “I wanted to do what I could to give back,” and Irene’s enthusiasm provided further motivation. Diana decided to join the group that would become HCL.
No regrets.
Since then, Diana has in turn encouraged others to join the group — and has nurtured Irene’s desire to become more involved, too. (Irene is exploring ways that she might use her artistic talents to benefit the hospital.) Diana’s son, Eason, age 5, is too young to become meaningfully involved — but she plans to bring him to hospital events when he is old enough. “It’s important to me to pass the importance of volunteering and philanthropy on to my children,” she says.
A native of China, Diana is active in the San Marino Chinese community, helping at local events. She was initially nervous about whether there would be a language barrier to her involvement at the hospital. Now, she encourages others not to worry about that. “Language is not a problem. Come volunteer!” she says.
Celebration and support.
On February 22, 2020, Huntington Charity League held its annual patron cocktail reception at The Valley Hunt Club. More than 100 guests attended the festive event, which included hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music, prizes and more. Proceeds from the 2020 reception support essential care for babies in Huntington Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. A portion of funds raised also benefits our Parent Connection program, and helps provide advanced nursing education, via support of The Helen Hancock Advanced Nursing Degree Scholarship program.
