ICRF Honors Leading Doctors in Deal, 2009

The Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) held an Evening of Cancer Awareness recently at the Deal residence of Lisa and Isaac Oved. Several hundred members of the community came to listen and learn from leading cancer specialists who were honored for their important work in the fight against cancer.

Sadie Jemal-Meyers, a member of the community and recipient of the 2008 ICRF Tower of Hope Humanitarian award, joined the Oveds in welcoming guests. Mrs. Meyers was presented with an award for her outstanding commitment to ICRF’s mission by Dr. Yashar Hirshaut, ICRF Chairman.  Charles Ben Dayan, ICRF Trustee, presented a special award to Lisa and Isaac Oved for their generous support of cancer research in Israel.

Sadie Jemal-Meyers, event Co-Chair with co-honorees Dr. Patrick Borgen and Dr. Yashar Hirshaut, Chairman of the Israel Cancer Research Fund

Upon accepting his award, Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chief of Breast Surgery at Maimonides Medical Center and Surgical Oncologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, spoke about cancer as becoming a great American victory. “For the first time in my 20-year career, cancer is no longer treated as a single disease but as a large field of complicated diseases,” he said.

Mr. Nahara

Dr. Lawrence Helson, Head of the Pediatric Cancer Lab at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, was recognized for his important contributions in cancer research. He described the remarkable results of pre-clinical studies to identify animals that respond to cancer drug therapies.

Dr. Yashar Hirshaut, a leading medical oncologist, was also honored at the event. He told the audience about ICRF’s mission to raise funds to support the scientists in Israel in their search to find a cure for cancer. Since 1975, ICRF has awarded 1,689 grants, totaling nearly $37 million to scientists who work at all of the major institutions in Israel. According to Dr. Hirshaut, this year ICRF reviewed 171 research grant applications and hopes to award grants to 15% of the applicants. With 7.5% of all Ashkenazi women and 5% of Sephardic women carrying the mutated gene that raises the risk of developing breast cancer, Dr. Hirshaut stressed the importance of continued support of cancer research in Israel. “I believe that the cure for cancer will come from Israel’s outstanding scientific community,” he added.

Awardees Dr. Lawrence Helson, Jacqueline and Max Harary

Other award presentations were given to Jacqueline and Max Harary, who shared their personal story about their son, who is a cancer survivor. Geralyn Lucas, author of Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy and a recipient of the ICRF 2006 Women of Action award, shared her personal journey with breast cancer beginning at the age of 27. She reinforced the theme of the evening—research is critical in the battle for survival against cancer.

The evening’s guests were treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner and entertainment from Israeli actor and comedian Joseph Zeffy Revlin.

To find out more about ICRF, please call the Israel Cancer Research Fund at (212) 969-9800 or visit www.icrfonline.org.