NEWS FROM ENGLEWOOD HEALTH FOUNDATION • FALL 2021
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Philanthropy Earns an in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
I remember how much I enjoyed the first day of school. Filled with the anticipation of a new year ahead and anxious to reunite with friends after a long summer, I was always first at the bus stop. Looking ahead each year to the Englewood Health Foundation’s Annual Walk for Awareness fills me with much of that same enthusiasm. This year, with an abundance of caution and your safety our top priority, we are choosing to resume a virtual format on Sunday, October 24, to benefit The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center at Englewood Health. Whether in person or virtual, this event is always high-energy and rewarding, raising much-needed funds to support our loved ones, friends and neighbors in their fight against breast cancer. The Breast Center averages over 60,000 patient visits annually and that number continues to climb with over 330,000 new cases expected in the nation this year. Additionally, there are new and greater obstacles to care created by the pandemic. Your support for the Walk for Awareness is more important than ever before and will enable Englewood Health to provide diagnosis and treatment for noninsured and underinsured members of our community who otherwise could not afford care.
Debra Albanese Executive Vice President
The
on -----------------------------------
22 years
$85,000 Raised Year One $2,915,545 Raised to Date 14,684 Total Supporters to Date
GEOGRAPHY Emerson Population 7,596
Emerson
62,000 Patients Seen Annually tion 32,896
la Fair Lawn Popu
Fair Lawn
508 Breast Cancer Patients Diagnosed Englewood
Englewood Population 28,402
n opulatio y City P
Jerse
258,523
Population and patient statistics based on 2019 data.
With more patients than ever before choosing Englewood Health, establishing new delivery points throughout the region is a priority. For breast care and related imaging, patients can choose The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center at Englewood Health, Englewood Hospital Imaging at Emerson or Englewood Hospital Imaging at Fair Lawn, which opened earlier this year. Soon, Englewood Health ZT Systems Outpatient Center in Jersey City will bring these important services closer to Hudson County families. Broader access and greater convenience top the honor roll when it comes to improved patient outcomes. Philanthropy is essential in the ongoing strategic placement of institutional experts and specialized services, such as diagnostics and infusion, to care for diverse populations of individuals at risk for cancer. Jersey City
Together, we will deliver world-class breast care, close to home.
HISTORY Lessons in Compassionate Care When asked to say a few words at his father’s retirement ceremony earlier this year, Julian Sanchez called to mind some history lessons – but not the kind found in a textbook. As Medical Director of The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center and Chief of Pathology at Englewood Health, Miguel Sanchez, MD, was always hard at work in the fight against breast cancer. Julian learned early that his father was fueled by passion, the intellectual challenges of cancer diagnostics and pioneering new forms of treatments. He taught his son – and hundreds of clinicians who he mentored at Englewood Health and beyond – that what you do for a living should be an expression of your zest for life. That enthusiasm helped build a model of precision cancer care that continues to shape the patient experience and propel the Center to extraordinary new heights. The Center is recognized by the U.S. Congress as a model for the diagnosis and treatment of breast disease, drawing renowned clinicians from across the globe who seek our expertise. It is also the first in New Jersey to earn accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Dr. Sanchez made an immeasurable impact on the patients he treated. His devotion changed the lives of many, including Jill Fader. In 1999, recognizing Dr. Sanchez for life-saving care, she and her late husband, Paul, organized the first Walk for Awareness with a mission to provide critical assistance to breast cancer patients. In its 22-year history, the Walk welcomed a record number of supporters and raised nearly $3 million – all
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the while with Dr. Sanchez leading the charge. Our partners in philanthropy are essential in the fight against breast cancer and Englewood Health’s ability to ensure all patients, particularly those underinsured, uninsured and underserved, receive the critical care they need. We should all be proud to have helped advance this very important mission.
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Miguel Sanchez, MD Medical Director of The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center and Chief of Pathology Retired in 2021 after 40+ years
Taking the baton from Dr. Sanchez following his retirement is Mindy Goldfischer, MD, who now leads the Center as Medical Director after 33 years with Englewood Health. She gives high marks to Foundation donors for helping broaden access to care and offering patients greater peace of mind. “Our goal is to reduce obstacles to care. One way we do this is by alleviating patient anxiety when it comes to screening by providing a quick process and same-day results,” says Dr. Goldfischer. She also cites concern over a recent increase in more advanced breast cancer cases. “Unfortunately, too many postponed their mammograms during the pandemic. We know that regular screening is key to early diagnosis, treatment and survivorship,” she concludes. In fact, mammograms are considered the international gold standard for detecting breast cancer early, often finding breast changes years before physical symptoms develop. Thanks to our steadfast supporters, Englewood Health delivers the technology, resources and programs that improve patient outcomes and save more lives.
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SCIENCE
[ P O P ! Z I U Q
Mindy Goldfischer, MD Medical Director of The Leslie Simon Breast Care and Cytodiagnosis Center and Chief of Breast Imaging
What is one example of how philanthropy drives breast cancer treatment innovation?
The answer is at the top of your head!
Philanthropy allows us to apply new technologies in patient care. Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy infusion at Englewood Health are wearing cool caps to help minimize hair loss. The science behind scalp hypothermia is rooted in how cold constricts blood vessels beneath the skin of the scalp, reducing the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the hair follicles. The cold also decreases the hair follicles’ metabolic activity, which makes the cells divide more slowly and protects the follicles from the chemotherapy. Less chemotherapy medicine in the follicles translates to a lower likelihood of hair loss.
Register today!
www.walkforawareness.org
or All-In on the Fight Against Breast Cancer vir tu al
0 pm
Sunday, October 24, 2021 | 1:00 - 3:0
from The Foundation will broadcast live orial Park in Fair Lawn Mem & Club Field od ewo Engl the wherever you are! as you get in on the action from
SCAN ME
Even your furry friend can get in on the action as part of this year’s virtual Susan Lucianna Memorial Dog Walk.