Thank you: A note to you from the parents of Zev Wolff

By Helen and Ranan Wolff

Issue of April 24, 2009 / 30 Nissan 5769

How lucky we are to be living in the Five Towns. When our son Zev was stricken with a childhood cancer called neuroblastoma, we asked for your help in raising $3 million. The goal was to create a cure for our son, Zev, and other children who did not respond to the standard, currently available treatment. To help gather this money, a small charitable organization, Zev’s Fund, was formed late in 2007. Due to the many who attended our Yom Iyun event at the Young Israel of Woodmere and others who gave in various fundraisers or donated individually, we have been able to raise nearly $1.5 million dollars.

We cannot thank you enough for all you have done. Infinite thanks and blessings to everyone who has made a contribution. We would like to give a special thank you to Rabbi Hershel Billet for organizing a community-wide fundraising effort. We look forward to the day that Zev becomes an adult and can begin to reciprocate the chesed that he has received. The thought that thousands are praying every day for the recovery of our Zev Eliezer ben Chaya Sheindel gives us tremendous strength.

Zev is Baruch Hashem holding his own right now in his battle with neuroblastoma. He is attending school regularly this year, but still gets the cancer treatments he needs to keep the neuroblastoma at bay. He absolutely loves school, loves being with his friends and siblings, and loves doing the things that other kids do. For Zev, every day is a gift. He takes nothing for granted, nor do we.

Thus far Zev’s Fund has raised enough money to fund the development of a drug known as Hu3F8. (We were joined in our fundraising efforts by a sister organization, Band of Parents.) The project is being overseen by Dr. Nai-Kong V. Cheung, head of the Neuroblastoma program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Cheung is very excited about the prospects for this new drug and the speed with which his laboratory has been able to develop the working prototype for the drug. The final stages, which include the manufacture and FDA approval, are due to be completed by next spring.

Zev’s Fund has also given seed money to fund a clinical trial being set up by Dr. Giselle Sholler at University of Vermont. This trial will tailor treatment to individual children based on the particular biology of their tumors.

REQUEST

Dr. Cheung has found promise in two other immunotherapy drugs. We have committed ourselves to help him fund these projects as well. Please consider an initial or additional contribution to assist the development of these future treatments. Every amount large or small helps. We ask that you visit the website www.zevsfund.org.

Every blessing to you and your families.