health mind and body

Israel Cancer Reserach Fund celebrates 40 years

Posted

Since the summer of 1999 I have been involved with the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF). Originally I was trying to find a cure for my late uncle, Michael Ressner, and just trying to share what ICRF in Los Angeles, along with all the ICRF chapters, were accomplishing in the U.S., Canada and Israel.

At the 1999 ICRF luncheon in Beverly Hills I met Leah Susskind, a lovely woman from New York, who told me that there was a New York chapter and I must attend their events. For over 16 years I have been thrilled to be able to cover events in the New York area.

What is the ICRF?

It is the world’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting cancer research in Israel. ICRF awards grants to support the research of Israel’s best scientists. And now it is 40 years old, celebrating with a Tower of Hope Gala in Manhattan that honored ICRF’s founders and supporters and four decades of life-saving research at the amazing.

The late Dr. Daniel Miller founded the fund. I was thrilled to meet his widow, Helene, and grandson, Josh, at the gala. According to board member S. Donald Friedman, “What Israel was able to achieve on the battlefield, Dan wanted to achieve in the scientific laboratories in Israel.” 

Also instrumental in the early days of ICRF were the late George Blumenthal and Dr. Yashar Hirshaut. Both Five Towners have been giants  for ICRF.  I am  always happy to meet Yashar and his lovely wife, Perie. It was a pleasure to meet some of the Blumenthal family members.

There were lists and lists of those from the last 40 years who have helped ICRF either medically or financially. I must single out the incredible Ben Brafman, a Lawrence resident who served as our master of ceremonies. He truly is more than a celebrity lawyer — a wonderful man who gives so much for ICRF. Kudos to Ben Brafman for his inspiring words.

Serving as co-chairs for the evening were Kenneth Goodman and Louis Brause. After losing his first wife Barbara, Ken has directed his time and energy to finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. Louis also works hard for ICRF in Florida. They met and mingled with everyone.

Page 1 / 2