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winter-spring2011–Vol.25,No.2
The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation
F o u n d e d J u n e 2 1 , 1 9 7 2
Richard Monti, Co-Chairman; Caroline Monti Saladino, President; Arthur Saladino, Co-Chairman
Caroline Monti Saladino, PresidentThe Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation
Tita and Joseph Monti
Following is the text of Caroline Monti Saladino’s speech at the Ball of the Year 2010.
Dear Friends,Good evening and welcome to all of our old friends and so many new friends. You are a living tribute to the work of The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation.
I believe that our video presentation gave a clear picture of the many projects that our foundation is involved with. We have come a long way since 1972, and I would like to go back and share with you a personal and emotional time, through the eyes of my dear parents, Tita and Joseph Monti.
This past year, I felt I was ready to begin reading some of my mother’s journals; words written by her hand beginning in June 1972, after my brother Don lost his battle with cancer. On June 27 of that year, just six days after his passing, she wrote:
Joe and I must make sense of this devastating loss. I miss my son already; I cannot see him each day as I have for the past 16 years, and yet, I am determined to see him each day, and I will! I will see him in the eyes and faces of others. Men, women and children who are forced into this journey as Don was, but I am determined to help them succeed in their battle. Not to fail as we did. And in their success, Don will live on. Joe and I from this day forward will dedicate our lives to making a positive difference, and we will do this in his name. We will have faith in our mission, and bring hope and love to so many. This is my goal, and in this way, I will see my son every day, until God calls me and we are face to face in Heaven.
These powerful words synopsize all their hard work, and why. They were true to their word and then some, and I believe that each and every person in this ballroom tonight is an important player in our ability to continue their mission. This foundation’s achievements are evident in the thousands and thousands of survivors who, through
these past 39 years, have walked away from cancer, and through our commitment, will continue to do so.
And so with our 40th anniversary just one year away, we have decided to honor our survivors at the Ball next November, celebrating 40 survivors dating back from 1972 to the present. This will be a joyful celebration, and the ultimate affirmation of my mother’s words and my parents’ dreams.
Thank you as always for your loyalty and support, and please remember my mother’s words from St. Paul to the Corinthians: to live each day with faith, with hope, and most importantly with love. May God bless you all and enjoy this evening. It is a true celebration of life.
Gratefully,
Mario & Matilda Cuomo, Margaret Cuomo Maier, Howard Maier
Back row, standing: Katherine Faria, Robert Monti, Alana Monti, Don Saladino, Joseph Faria Sr., Arthur Saladino, Donny Travaglia, Joseph Saladino, Richard Monti, Joseph Faria Jr., Sophia Travaglia.Front row, seated: Gabrielle Travaglia, Caroline Faria, Melissa Saladino, Danielle Faria, Caroline Monti Saladino, Anna Saladino, Sarah Saladino, Erin Monti, Vanessa Monti
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I2010 Ball of the YearIn June 1972, a 16-year-old boy named Don Monti died at North Shore University Hospital of myeloblastic leukemia. Within days of his death, his parents, Tita and Joseph, committed themselves to founding an organization in his memory ultimately dedicated to finding a cure for cancer. Today, the Foundation raises more than $1 million annually – more than $35 million since its founding. All contributions provide funding for cancer research at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, direct patient care at the Don Monti Division of Oncology/Hematology at North Shore
University Hospital and a Genetics Counseling Masters Program at Long Island University.
One of the primary annual fundraising activities is The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation Annual Ball of the Year. More than 700 guests attended the 39th Annual Ball, held in November at the Crest Hollow Country Club. The evening was festive, as guests dined and danced and celebrated this extraordinary legacy begun in 1972 – the ultimate goal of curing cancer.
Back row: John DiCapua, MD; Scott Fields, MD; Eve Fields; Jean Barmash; Frank Cacace, MD; Suseel Thomas. Front row: Christina DiCapua: Meredith Feinberg; Alla Keyzner, MD; Ruthee-Lu Bayer, MD; Veena John, MD
Back row (standing): James Sullivan, MD; Charles Conte, MD; Dennis Dowling; Gene Coppa, MD; Andrew Sama, MD; Robert Somerville. Front (seated): Judy Papia, Mary Kay Conte, Lynn Dowling, Susan Sama, Susan Somerville
Top row: Lee Michel, Zohannes Zuber, James Hicks, Chris Vakoc, Scott Lowe, Walter Goldschmidts Bottom row: Lynn Michel, Saya Ebbesen, Camila Dos Santos, Shane Mayack, Dagnia Ziedlickis
John & Gail Probst
Bunny Burns, Mary Shawn DeGaetano, Colleen DeGaetano, Harold King, Joan Klocke, Nafessa King
Tori Meagher, Chrissy Boccia and Katy Goodrich
Caroline Monti Saladino, Barbara & David Lieberman
Arthur Saladino, Caroline Monti Saladino, Dr. Bruce Stillman, Erin Monti, Richard Monti
Mary & Rob Simmons, Bobby Fitzsimmons, Joseph Faria, Michele Fitzsimmons
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Sharon & Dr. Candido Fuentes
Christina Bishop-Feeny, Caroline Monti Saladino, Arthur Saladino, Christopher Feeny
Alana Monti, Robert Monti, Richard & Erin Monti, Vanessa Monti
Don Saladino, Joseph Faria, Howard Maier, Joe Saladino
David & Debbie Feinblatt
Alicia Babcock, Danielle Faria, Mary-Lynn McDevitt, Ashley Wakim
Jim Smoot, Chrissy Boccia, Dave Boccia, Joan Healy, Kay Smoot
Arthur Saladino, Dominic Florio
Alina & Dr. Steve Ricco, Don SaladinoDrs. Robert & Alex Maiorino, Dr. Paul & Lucy Mazzei
Arthur Saladino, Caroline Monti Saladino, Dr. Nadya Swedan, Robert McIntyre
Karen Orzel, Billy Collura, Wendy Rodgers
Joyce & Rich Merzbacher, Danielle Faria
Joe & Nicki Gregory, Jim Smoot, Donna & Tim Andrea
Ed & Pat Travaglianti, Amy Travaglianti, Ed Travaglianti Jr.
Caroline Monti Saladino addresses the Ball attendees
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2010 Ball of the Year
Calvin Chan, Melanie Charles, Dr. James Watson, Virginia Sack, Amanda Brosseau, Veena Ganesh
Dr. Alan and Fran Gorman, Caroline Monti Saladino, Arthur Saladino
Matilda Cuomo, Margaret Cuomo Maier, Robert Aiello
Caroline Monti Saladino, Tori & Ned Meagher
Amy Hughes, Sarah Hughes, Caroline Monti Saladino, Dominic Foresto
Charles & Kathy Rayfield, Caroline Monti Saladino, Arthur Saladino, Fran Ramondetta, Geanine & Malcolm Palmer
Caroline Monti Saladino, Arthur Saladino, Chris & Doug Fox
Donald Monti and Arthur Saladino
Frank Chau, Caroline Monti Saladino, Dr. Elizabeth Chau
Allison Rubin, Victoria Steinberg, Karen Orzel, Tera Leuthauser, Katherine FariaArthur Saladino, Caroline Monti Saladino,
Dr. Helen Kim, Dr. David Bernstein
Anna Paternoster, Mary Simmons, Elena D’Agostino, Tricia Colón
Carolyn and Greg Genovese
David & Joan Steinberg, Melanie & Robert Cassandro
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Arthur Saladino, Caroline Monti Saladino, Erin Monti, Richard Monti
Back row: Dr. David J. Steinberg, Dr. Paul Forestell, Dr. Matthew Draud, Fred Miller, Dr. Jeffrey Kane Front row: Michelle Draud, Janet Kane, Nancy Marksbury, Dr. Katherine Hill-Miller, Joan Steinberg
Joseph & Sarah Saladino
The Hatsis family: Stephanie, Maria, Dr. Alex & Joanne Hatsis, Bess, Alex Jr., Christina with Caroline Monti Saladino and Arthur Saladino
Gabrielle Travaglia, Caroline Faria, Sarah Hughes, Sophia Travaglia
Caroline Monti Saladino with Louise Martone Peluso and family
Thomas & Cynthia Cooke, Caroline Monti Saladino, Arthur Saladino, Lu & Aline Cortese
Tim McDevitt, Anne Eble, Chrissy Hotten, Brian Hotten, Vaira Van Son, Peter Van Son, Danielle Faria, Kieran McGowan, Mary-Lynn McDevitt, Tina McGowan, David & Sally Nadler
Joseph Faria Jr., Frank LaRuffa, Anna Saladino
Michele Fitzsimmons, Gwen Cooleen, Danielle Faria, Ginny Nason, Denise Foxen
Michael Cohen & friends
Arthur Saladino, Caroline Monti Saladino, Dr. Gary & Peggy Alex
Julia Marvella and Joanne DeGiaimo
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2010 Ball of the Year
Chrissy Boccia, Melissa Saladino, Kay Smoot, Sarah Saladino
Bernadette & David Borg
Richard, Vanessa & Erin Monti
Connor Monohan, Alana Monti, Robert Monti
USMC Color Guard
Arthur Saladino, Nancy Wadler, Caroline Monti Saladino, Dr. Gary Wadler, Nina & Dr. Vincent Vinciguerra
Don Saladino, Anna Saladino, Joseph Saladino
Joseph Faria Jr., Danielle & Joseph Faria Sr., Caroline Faria, Katherine Faria
William & Joan Healy, Joseph Saladino
Caroline Monti Saladino, Arthur Saladino
Elizabeth & Dr. James Watson, Caroline Monti Saladino, Arthur Saladino
Bro. Edmond Precourt, Arthur Saladino, Caroline Monti Saladino, Danielle Faria, Joseph Faria
Arthur Saladino, Caroline Monti Saladino, Anna Saladino, Cathy Bolz, Teresa Bolz, John Bolz Sr.
Mrs. & Dr. Raj Narayan
Richard Monti, Erin Monti, Christiane and Michael Franzese
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O
WCandy Cures Cancer
B & B Coverage, LLC, Tees Off for a CureOn Nov. 8 and 9, 2010, B & B Coverage, LLC, competed in the final round of the Chubb Charity Challenge Golf Tournament at The Sanctuary resort in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.
Forty-six teams from around the country competed for donations to be made by Chubb to their favorite charities. We thank B & B for choosing to donate its winning purse to The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation!
On December 15, 2010, Lewis J. Bernstein of B & B came to the Cold Spring Harbor Labs to meet with Caroline Monti Saladino and Dr. Bruce Stillman for a tour and to present the check.
Dr. Mona Spector; Dr. Bruce Stillman, President, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Lewis Bernstein, B&B Coverage, LLC; Caroline Monti Saladino President, The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation; and Joseph Saladino, B&B Coverage, LLC.
When 7-year-old Ally Gottesman lost her aunt to cancer in 2006, she decided that she had to do something to fight the disease. The following Halloween, Ally started to raise money for The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation by initiating what she calls “Candy Cures Cancer.” Instead of asking for candy as she trick-or-treats, she asks for donations to the Foundation.
Since then Ally, now 11, has raised more than $10,000 for The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation! Ally and her dad, Vincent, recently toured the laboratories at the Joseph and Tita Monti Cancer Research Center at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. There, they met with Dr. Scott Lowe and Dr. Amy Rappaport, who were able to show Ally exactly what her efforts help them accomplish. We truly appreciate your hard work, Ally!
Ally Gottesman with Dr. Scott Lowe and Dr. Amy Rappaport
Caroline Monti Saladino, Vincent Gottesman, Ally Gottesman
Friends of Tory Zabatino Raise More than $35,000
Friends and relatives of Tory Zabatino at the 2010 Bar Crawl: Mr. & Mrs. Cimino (Tory’s parents), Mr. & Mrs. Logiudice (Tory’s grandpar-ents), Christopher Spinelli, Victoria Iacobazzo, Liam O’Donovan, Steve Arocho, Ryan Hogan, Scott Ciancuilli, Joseph Zabatino
Salvatore “Tory” Zabatino was only 24 years old when he lost his battle to cancer, but he lived his short time on earth with kindness, care and passion. He always spoke highly of the work of The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, particularly its work in caring for children with cancer.
When Tory died, his friends wanted to do something special in his memory. So in 2006, they organized a bar crawl in the West Village of New York City and raised $5,000. They’ve organized another each year since. Each year more people have joined the crawl – even many who didn’t know Tory, but knew someone touched by cancer and wanted to help – and each year they’ve raised more money. The 2010 Bar Crawl was held the same night as the Ball of the Year, Nov. 6, 2010, and raised more than $12,000 in Tory’s name for The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. More than $35,000 has been raised in Tory’s memory to date.
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Thank YouThe Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following for their generous support of our 2010 Ball of the Year:
Sherwood-Triart Photographers
Banfi VintnersThe Goodrich Family
The Kitt FamilyThe Mariani Family
PYW InteriorsKathy RayfieldLauren Cona
Judi BuaGeanine Palmer
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cottage PharmacyKen Villani
Michael Cohen
La Prairie at Saks Fifth AvenueCarol Dolciotto
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System
A special thanks to Mrs. C. Arthur Smith and the members of the Three Harbors Invitational Dance Class for their generous donation to The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation.
Three Harbors is a nonprofit organization that runs a class comprised of 5th and 6th grade boys and girls from the Cold Spring Harbor/Huntington area.
This year’s class was chaired by Mrs. James Schubauer, Mrs. Mark DeGennaro, Mrs. Robert Fitzsimmons and Mrs. Joseph Faria.
Katherine Faria and Samantha Fitzsimmons
Henry Hubbell, Matthew DeGennaro, Kane Jaklitsch, Jamie Schubauer, Patrick Erichsen
“Strike Out Cancer” Event Raises Money for ResearchTaylor Micelotta, a junior at Jericho High School, organized a softball fundraiser last summer to raise money for The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. The event took place June 27, 2010, at the Jericho High School softball fields.
After months of planning and coordinating many different aspects of the day – from catering to collecting donations – more than 64 people came out to support the six-inning game, which ended in a tie. More than $10,000 was raised for the Foundation. Thank you, Taylor, and keep up the great work!
Caroline Monti Saladino greets the Micelotta family - Jason, Chris, Nikki, Taylor and John - at the 2010 Ball of the Year.
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Don Monti Division of Oncology/Hematology
Annual Christmas Party
Caroline Monti Saladino, Kathy Peranzo, Joan Klocke, Santa and his helpers, Danielle Faria, Arthur Saladino
Santa’s helpers prepare to serve food
A staffer from 7 Monti with Santa and his helpers
Caroline Monti Saladino, Ann Reinhardt, Santa
Santa, Fred Muller, Caroline Monti Saladino
DMMRF volunteers with Dr. Helen Brannon, Arthur and Caroline Monti Saladino
Patients enjoy the festivities with Caroline Monti Saladino, Santa and his helpers
The Christmas party, held Dec. 17, 2010,on the 7th and 8th floors of the Monti Pavilion, is an annual tradition of The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. Each patient receives a gift and patients and staff enjoy lunch provided by the Foundation.
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Joseph, Tita and Don Monti Genetics and Human Development Lab Dedicated at C. W. Post
A new genetics laboratory, funded by The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, was dedicated at the C. W. Post campus of Long Island University in Brookville on Oct. 1, 2010.
The Joseph, Tita and Don Monti Genetics and Human Development Laboratory will offer the infrastructure and technology that professors and students need to unlock the secrets of human genetics and assist patients at risk for cancer, heart disease and other conditions. Construction of the lab was made possible by a $500,000 gift from The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation.
In acknowledging the generous gift to construct the laboratory, Dr. David J. Steinberg, president of Long Island University, said, “We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for advancing this exciting medical discipline, which is bringing new resources to patients and families
in the fight against debilitating birth defects and inherited conditions.”
At the dedication ceremony, Caroline Monti Saladino, President, The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, commented, “I see people here who are dedicated and passionate about what they are doing. When I look at the students, I see my brother, who loved the sciences. Ours is a commitment of love, and yours is also.”
The new laboratory serves as a genetics/embryology teaching facility for students in C. W. Post’s new Master of Science degree program in Genetic Counseling, the first of its kind on Long Island and one of only a few in the nation. Equipped with the most advanced scientific tools, the laboratory also will be a resource for students in the biology, biomedical sciences and forensic science degree programs at the University.
Caroline Monti Saladino pictured with the inaugural class of the M.S. in Genetic Counseling program at C. W. Post. From left: Calvin Chan of Canada, Caitlin Peters of Hawaii, Kristine Matacchiera of New Jersey, Caroline Monti Saladino, Amanda Brosseau of Kansas, Virginia Stack of New York, Veena Ganesh of Nigeria
– Caroline Monti Saladino, President, The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation
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“I SEE PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE
DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE ABOUT
WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WHEN
I LOOK AT THE STUDENTS, I SEE
MY BROTHER, WHO LOVED THE
SCIENCES. OURS IS A COMMITMENT
OF LOVE, AND YOURS IS ALSO.”
Back, from left: Dr. Jeffrey Kane, vice president for academic affairs, Long Island University; Edward Travaglianti, chairman, Long Island University board of trustees; Dr. David Steinberg, president, Long Island University; Arthur J. Saladino and Richard Monti, co-chairmen of The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation BoardFront: Dr. Katherine Hill-Miller, dean, C.W. Post College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Bhuma Krishnamachari, director of C. W. Post Genetic counseling; Caroline Monti Saladino, president, The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation; and Danielle Faria, executive vice president, The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation
Genetics Counseling students in the new Joseph, Tita and Don Monti Genetics and Human Development Laboratory at C. W. Post
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Bone Marrow Donor and Recipient Meet for the First Time
WWhen Jonathan Franco, 30, received a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), he knew everything would change. He just didn’t know it would be for the better.
Due to his MDS (formerly known as pre-leukemia), “Jonathan’s bone marrow produced bad blood cells,” says his oncologist, Ruthee-Lu Bayer, MD, of the Lake Success, N.Y.-based Monter Cancer Center, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. A bone marrow transplant was his only hope for a normal life, and Dr. Bayer’s team searched for a long time to find him a match.
After a two-year battle with the disease, the Woodside, Queens, resident was the happy recipient of a bone marrow donation from Chicago’s Diana Delgado, 39. His wife, Leydi, was then in her fifth month of pregnancy. Soon after the bone-marrow transplant, the Francos’ son was born. They named him Jonathan Maximum. “We named him after me, because Jonathan means ‘beloved of God,’” says Mr. Franco. “Maximum means ‘the greatest,’ and to us, given my health, our son is truly the greatest miracle.”
Ms. Delgado’s selfless act not only led to Mr. Franco’s welcoming a new son into the world, but also a recent face-to-face donor/recipient meeting. The occasion was
the Eighth Annual Celebration of Life dinner of North Shore University Hospital’s Don Monti Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation Program. The Crest Hollow Country club event is a highlight for bone marrow donors and recipients, family members, health care professionals and supporters.
In June 1972, 16-year-old Don Monti died at North Shore University Hospital of myeloblastic leukemia. His parents, the late Tita and Joseph Monti, immediately committed to founding an organization in his memory. They established The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation at the hospital, and raised and contributed tens of millions of dollars over the years toward cancer research, education, fellowship and patient care.
Today, the program is under the stewardship of Caroline Monti Saladino, whose parents began this vital work so many years ago. As she watched Mr. Franco and Ms. Delgado embrace and chat quietly, Mrs. Saladino remarked that she strongly felt the presence of her mother and father.
Mr. Franco summed up the spirit of the reunion in just a few words. “We have the same bone marrow. She is going to be like a sister to me. We are always going to stay in contact. Now I can be a father to my son. This is great.”
Caroline Monti Saladino pictured with bone marrow recipient Jonathan Franco, donor Diana Delgado and their families
Donor Diana Delgado meets recipient Jonathan Franco
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Staff from the Don Monti Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at North Shore University Hospital were well-represented at the annual survivors’ reunion sponsored by The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation
Ruthee-Lu Bayer, MD, director of the Don Monti Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at North Shore University Hospital
The evening was a celebration of life and survivorship
More than 350 donors, recipients and their families listen to inspiring stories from survivors
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The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation Helps Support Research at
Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) is one of the country’s leading cancer research institutions and has been a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center since 1987. The Laboratory is proud to have achieved this level of recognition and support from the federal government. It is a designation that recognizes strong organizational capabilities, institutional commitment, and trans-disciplinary, cancer-focused science, as well as experienced scientific and administrative leadership and state-of-the-art cancer research facilities.
“What makes CSHL’s Cancer Center uniquely strong is our multidisciplinary and interactive approach,” explains CSHL President and Cancer Center Director Bruce Stillman, Ph.D. “Our scientists work in a culture that encourages collaboration and allows for synergy between laboratories and projects.” Dr. Stillman recently won the prestigious 2010 Horwitz Prize for his ongoing research that has helped us to understand the process of duplication of normal cells and how that process goes awry in cancer.
CSHL Fellow Chris Vakoc, MD, PhD (center), consults with his laboratory team pursuing the “Achilles’ heel” of therapy-resistant AML
Aerial view of the CSHL Hillside Laboratories – home to the Joseph and Tita Monti Research Center and other research facilities that are part of CSHL’s National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Center
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Recollections … looking back to 2002
FOSTERING NEW RESEARCHThe Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation provides funding to researchers in CSHL’s Cancer Center who study leukemia and lymphoma and seek to develop new strategies that will make treatments more effective and less toxic to patients. Underscoring the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, these researchers have leveraged the expertise of their CSHL colleagues who study other biological aspects of cancer to make several recent technological breakthroughs.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Dr. Gregory Hannon developed an RNA interference (RNAi) library – a collection of short, hairpin-shaped RNA molecules – each of which can precisely shut off a specific gene within the entire human genome.
The laboratory of Dr. Scott Lowe, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Deputy Director of CSHL’s Cancer Center, has used this RNAi technology to produce “model” mice that have tumors of precisely the same kind seen in human patients. These models allow scientists to study how mutated genes work in tandem to let cancer thrive and how they influence responses, positive and negative, to both conventional and targeted therapies. Recent experiments involving the suppression of a single gene resulted in a full retreat of chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Using mouse models of human leukemia, this team has also been able to accurately predict the response of human patients to chemotherapy.
The unique approach has enormous potential to identify new drug targets, understand drug action and formulate a game plan for tailoring therapies to individual cancer patients.
TAILORING THERAPIESTo this end, CSHL Fellow Christopher Vakoc, MD, PhD, is employing a research strategy in his laboratory that he hopes will reveal what he calls the “Achilles’ heel” of therapy-resistant AML. “My approach entails therapeutic reprogramming of leukemia cells back to non-malignant blood cells by manipulating only the epigenetic material of the cells – not by changing the DNA sequences of specific genes, but rather by manipulating how cancer genes are expressed in tumors,” Dr. Vakoc explains. Importantly, he has identified several enzymes (a class of molecules that can be readily targeted with drugs) that leukemias require more than normal blood cells. This opens up a new vista on the process of identifying new and potentially important targets for future anti-leukemia and other anti-cancer drugs.
Dr. Vakoc is a part of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Fellows program, which identifies the brightest young investigators and provides them with resources to accelerate their careers. As a CSHL Fellow, Dr. Vakoc, who recently completed his graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, is pursuing his own independent research projects – a career opportunity that typically takes many years of postdoctoral training to achieve. The CSHL Fellows Program has spawned some of the world’s most successful investigators, including 2009 Nobel Prize winner Carol Greider, who was a CSHL Fellow in 1988 and member of the CSHL faculty for nine years after completing her fellowship.
Thanks to the Fellows program, Dr. Vakoc is working as part of the CSHL Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary team, whose many members are available on a daily basis for consultations and collaborations. It is the very point of collaboration in science: it exponentially increases the likelihood that a new approach will succeed.
Survivor’s Day has always been very important to The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation. Joseph and Tita Monti, pictured here with two survivors at the 2002 Celebration at North Shore University Hospital, believed that every success story brings us all that much closer to our ultimate goal of curing cancer. Today we carry on that belief here at the Foundation, especially this year – our 40th anniversary year, during which we focus on Survivorship.
D
Don Monti Oct. 11, 1955 – June 21, 1972
FOUNDER & FORMER PRESIDENTTita Monti, FFSC
FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDJoseph Monti, BFSC, KM
PRESIDENTCaroline Monti Saladino
CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARDRichard D. Monti Arthur J. Saladino
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTSDanielle FariaRobert Fitzsimmons Anna Saladino Edward Travaglianti
VICE PRESIDENTSJanine DionDennis DowlingMichelle Fitzsimmons Scott W. Lowe, PhD David J. Steinberg, PhD Joan Steinberg Bruce Stillman, PhD Pat Travaglianti James D. Watson, PhD
TREASURERMichael G. Norman, CPA
LEGAL COUNSELJoseph A. Faria, Esq.
MEDICAL CONSULTANTSLori Ann Attivissimo, MDRuthee-Lu Bayer, MDThomas J. Degnan, MD Joan Klocke, RN, MSN, OCN Lawrence Scherr, MD Nadya Swedan, MD Vincent Vinciguerra, MD Gary Wadler, MD Robert Waldbaum, MD
BOARD OF DIRECTORSSylvia & Robert Aiello Donna & Frank AndreaChristine & David Boccia Bunny Burns Melanie & Robert Cassandro Michael Cohen Tricia & Jeff ColónAline & Luciano CorteseMatthew DeGiaimo Marianne Doherty Marguerite Eng, RD Debora & David Feinblatt Christina & Carmine A. Fiore Agnes Trill Funk John S. T. Gallagher Katy & Marc Goodrich Msgr. Thomas Hartman Joann & Alex Hatsis, MD Susan & Robert Johnson Ruth Leonard Jackie Lomtevas Terry LynamMary-Lynn & Timothy McDevitt Victoria & Edward Meagher Anna & Steve Michailidis Donald MontiErin Monti Jane Norman Karen Orzel Bro. Edmond Precourt, FSC Charles Prizzi Randi Monti Puccio Wendy Rodgers Sarah & Joseph Saladino Melissa & Don SaladinoAlicia & George Schwertl Anthony Scotto Lori & Robert Soviero Ella & Bernard V. Strianese Cindy & Don TassoneDonna Trinko George Tsunis Kenneth Villani, R.Ph. Carol Vorperian
The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation
For more information, visitwww.donmontifoundation.org9
Who's Who
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory One Bungtown Rd. Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
Bone Marrow Celebration of Life DinnerWednesday, June 1, 2011The Crest Hollow Country Club
Faith, Hope & Love Walk Saturday, June 4, 2011 Long Island University’s C.W. Post Campus
The 40th Annual Ball of the YearSaturday, Nov. 5, 2011The Crest Hollow Country Club
Donate online at www.donmontifoundation.org
Save the Date
Meet Dr. David Steinberg Dr. David J. Steinberg, the ninth president of Long Island University, has served the institution since 1985. During his tenure, the University has experienced a renais-sance, becoming one of the largest and most comprehensive private universities in the United States. Under his leadership, the University's endowment has increased from $4.8 million to nearly $80 million, and its enrollment has risen from 19,000 to more than 24,000. He has spearheaded a capital improvement plan which, since 1994, has led to over $400 million in investments in new construction and major renovations. In addition, new doctoral programs have been established, and operating reserves have been created and increased.
The son of the late Rabbi Milton Steinberg of Manhattan's Park Avenue Synagogue, Dr. Steinberg was born in New York City and was educated at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass.; Malvern College in England; and Harvard College, from which he graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. After a Fulbright year at the University of the Philippines and a year at Columbia University on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, he returned to Harvard, where he earned an MA in East Asian studies in 1963, and a PhD in history in 1964. Dr. Steinberg has received three honorary degrees.
He began his teaching career in the Department of History at the University of Michigan, where he rose to the rank of full professor. In 1973, he joined the administration of Brandeis University as executive assistant to the president, becoming vice president and university secretary in 1977.
The author of numerous books and articles on Southeast Asia and, in particular, Philippine history, Dr. Steinberg has taught, lectured and written
about this important area of the world for nearly half a century. He's written several books, including “The Philippines: A Singular and a Plural Place,” now in its fourth edition, described by former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Nicholas Platt as “the best single-volume guide to understanding the Philippines, past and present.”
Dr. Steinberg was a member of the international observer team that monitored the Philippine presidential elections when Corazon Aquino ran against Ferdinand Marcos. He has written numerous op-ed pieces and has been a consultant to UN agencies, the United States government, the Ford Foundation and others.
A passionate advocate for cancer research and the improvement of the quality of care and support for cancer patients and their loved ones, he and his wife, Joan, a chanteuse and real estate executive, both serve as vice presidents of The Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation.
Dr. Steinberg cites his greatest personal accomplishment: raising his two superb sons, Noah, a businessman who lives in Budapest, Hungary; and Jonah, an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Vermont. His greatest joy: watching his grandchildren grow.