Mount Sinai South Nassau, located in Oceanside, recently received a generous $1 million donation from the Betty Ajces Trust to support the expansion of access to cancer clinical trials and research on Long Island. This significant contribution follows a previous donation of $200,000 from the trust last August, which established the Leon and Betty Ajces Memorial Fund at the hospital to benefit its cancer research and prevention efforts.
Dr. Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, expressed gratitude for the donation, stating that it will provide patients with cancer diagnoses the opportunity to enroll in clinical trials for the latest innovations in cancer therapies, technologies, and treatment protocols. This donation will eliminate the need for patients to travel to New York City for cutting-edge trials, as they can now access them right here on Long Island.
Alan Weiner, a trustee of the Betty Ajces Trust and a longtime friend of the Ajces, commended Mount Sinai South Nassau for its commitment to advancing research and access to the latest cancer treatments. He emphasized the trust’s mission to support the hospital’s expansion of cancer research and treatment on Long Island.
The hospital’s Department of Clinical Research, based at the Gertrude & Louis Feil Cancer Center in Valley Stream, is equipped with a dedicated team including a clinical research manager, nurse, and coordinator. They work in collaboration with The Tisch Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center within the Mount Sinai Health System in Manhattan.
A Protocol Review Committee ensures that all protocols and clinical studies align with the National Cancer Institute Central Institutional Review Board and the hospital’s mission. These protocols are then reviewed by the Institutional Review Board to ensure the protection of patients participating in the trials.
Currently, Mount Sinai South Nassau has patients enrolled in breast and lung cancer clinical trials. Dr. Rajiv Datta, chair of the Department of Surgery at the hospital and director of the Feil Cancer Center, highlighted the importance of providing proper support for every trial and patient enrolled. The donation from the Betty Ajces Trust will enable the hospital to enhance this support and expand access to clinical trials.
Dr. Karyn Goodman, associate director of clinical research at The Tisch Cancer Institute, praised the donation for improving access to cutting-edge treatment and clinical trials. She emphasized the positive impact it will have on patients seeking advanced cancer care on Long Island.
Betty Ajces, a talented musician and community leader, was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, in 1929. Her husband, Leon Ajces, a Ukrainian-born immigrant and World War II veteran, passed away in 1999. Their remarkable stories of resilience and success are a testament to their enduring legacy of generosity and support for cancer research.
In conclusion, the $1 million donation from the Betty Ajces Trust to Mount Sinai South Nassau will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to provide innovative cancer treatments and clinical trials to patients on Long Island. This generous contribution will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the local community and further the mission of advancing cancer research and treatment.
