When COVID-19 first began spreading across New York, The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation felt compelled to act for their community and their world. Based in Rye Brook, New York, The Mathers Foundation saw firsthand the virus’ unprecedented growth into neighboring New Rochelle—what would soon become one of the nation’s first hot spots for COVID-19.
“Our organization’s driving mission is to ‘advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring research that will benefit mankind.’ Never has that mission been so urgent than during this global pandemic,” said Richard Handelman from The Mathers Foundation. “We knew that finding a research partner who shared our vision was critical, and we believe that the Albert Einstein College of Medicine has the professional expertise to conduct this seminal project.”
In service to their mission, The Mathers Foundation made an inspiring $300,000 contribution to Einstein’s Critical Response Research & Education Fund in support of Dr. Liise-anne Pirofski, Chief, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Selma and Dr. Jacques Mitrani Chair in Biomedical Research, and Professor, Department of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, to fuel her investigations into a treatment for COVID-19.
Drawing on her expertise in infectious diseases, Dr. Pirofski teamed up with scientists at Johns Hopkins University early in the pandemic to utilize plasma from patients who had recovered from COVID-19 to treat the infection through “convalescent serum.” In April 2020, Dr. Pirofski’s research translated to the bedside by advancing to a randomized controlled clinical trial in connection with NYU Langone.
Partnerships across the scientific, medical, and philanthropic communities have been instrumental in Montefiore and Einstein’s response to COVID-19. Thanks to a generous $1 million matching challenge from The Price Family Foundation to fund research at Einstein, The Mathers Foundation’s contribution had double the impact.
It is committed friends like The Mathers Foundation who are helping to change the course of COVID-19. Will you join us?
On April 11, 2020, Devi Kinkhabwala and friends joined the race against COVID-19 through a virtual 10K in an uplifting effort to “help the helpers” at Montefiore and Einstein. Miles for Montefiore—a peer-to-peer fundraising initiative Devi launched in support of frontline workers like her father and stepmother (both doctors at Montefiore) and brother (a student at Einstein volunteering with COVID-19 patients)—motivated over $11,000 in private donations.
With the help of the Strava app, social media, and a desire to make a difference, more than 30 Miles for Montefiore runners came together—while apart—in a moving and impactful way. Participants shared videos online that all resonated messages of encouragement, pride, and hope for those fighting on the frontlines. “Thank you, Montefiore. We will keep running and you keep saving lives!” cheered one participant as she began her final mile.
Funds that Miles for Montefiore participants raised directly benefit urgent clinical and research needs across Montefiore and Einstein. Learn how you can launch your own fundraising campaign here.
It is generous partners like Devi who are helping to change the course of COVID-19. Will you join us?
Thanks to Alex Schueler of Schuyoga, you can now support Montefiore’s frontline workers while finding zen on Sunday mornings. Motivated by a desire to do her part in caring for our community, Alex teamed up with the Montefiore and Einstein Office of Development to develop a donation-based "Virtual Vinyasa" series. The class, which launched on March 29 via the Zoom video platform, brought together inspired participants from around the country to lift up our community—and our spirits.
Within the fundraising effort’s first 48 hours, Virtual Vinyasa raised over $1,400 through class registrations. All funds directly benefit COVID-19 relief efforts at Montefiore, including providing life-saving resources for patients, personal protective equipment for healthcare teams, and more. Response to the first class was so great that Virtual Vinyasa has become a weekly class on Sundays at 11:00am EST.
PIX11 featured Schuyoga's partnership with Montefiore in a weekend segment where participants praised the opportunity to stay connected while giving back. Interested in signing up or making a donation? Visit here.
It is generous partners like Alex who are helping to change the course of COVID-19. Will you join us?
After her campus closed due to COVID-19, Yale University freshman Stella Gray watched as headlines read grimmer and more urgent by the day. She saw a light amidst the devastation: altruistic healthcare workers around the world, especially those in her hometown of New York City. She felt inspired to support their work by launching Tie Dye For Good, a clothing company designed to “brighten a dark and difficult time.” All proceeds benefit Montefiore Health System’s Critical Response Care Fund.
"Reading about Montefiore’s healthcare workers and the true resilience, bravery, and relentless desire to heal has been so moving and inspiring to me. These healthcare workers are putting their lives on the line every day and truly healing with love," said Ms. Gray. "That spirit inspired me to start Tie Dye For Good and keeps me motivated to continue."
Today, Stella’s online store stocks hand-dyed sweatshirts, hats, Yale apparel, and more comfort clothing. Friends from college, family members, and acquaintances have rallied together to join the cause. Fast forward mere weeks since its launch and Tie Dye For Good has grown into a force for change, grossing $25,000—and counting.
As she begins to see a spark of optimism in the headlines, Stella stays committed to her goal of raising $50,000 for Montefiore.
"I hope to keep speeding up production and raising money for this cause," she said. "Montefiore is there in the critical moments and features like the CBS special Bravery and Hope: 7 Days on the Front Line confirm why I chose to support them. It highlighted how loving everyone is, how amazing treatment is, and how much help I still need to give."
It is inspired partners like Stella who are helping to change the course of COVID-19. Will you join her?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline medical staff have shown remarkable displays of heroism, bravery, courage—and now generosity. Upon receiving hazard pay in recognition of their critical work, the Montefiore Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery attendings and residents banded together to donate all or a portion of their bonuses to support Montefiore’s Project BRAVO Food Pantry. Project BRAVO is a community-based, hospital-driven initiative designed to combat food insecurity for individuals and families in the Bronx.
"The decision to donate a portion of our hazard pay to the food pantry was easy and obvious," said Dr. Evan Garfein, Chief, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery. "The same spirit of service and commitment to our hospital community that compelled our participation in caring for patients during the pandemic gave rise to the ground-swell to give to Project BRAVO."
Today, SProject BRAVO launched in 1986 near Montefiore’s Moses campus—where it still operates today—to help make healthy choices possible and accessible. Today, their mission is more important than ever.
The Bronx has consistently reported some of the nation’s highest levels of poverty, with more than one in four residents facing food shortages. With the surge of COVID-19, the Bronx rapidly became the hardest-hit community by the virus across America—in turn, deepening that distress by further increasing homelessness and job loss.
To lift up our neighborhoods, Project BRAVO instituted extended hours to accommodate more clients and allow for social distancing, onboarded more volunteers, and opened programming to more people in need. Visit Project BRAVO, and you’ll see volunteer teams working together to load and distribute crates of baby supplies, shelf-stable foods, personal care items, and more. Project BRAVO welcomes frontline staff and their families, new mothers from Montefiore’s HealthySteps program, patients receiving HIV / AIDS treatment, and other high-risk, high-need individuals.
“The way we see ourselves is no different from the way any other members of our extraordinary Montefiore community see themselves,” said Dr. Garfein. “Our privilege is to help the hospital and help the community. We are honored to have the opportunity to do both through this gift to Project BRAVO.”
It is inspired partners like the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery who are helping to change the course of COVID-19. Will you join them?
“Ring this bell three times well. Its toll will clearly say, my treatment is done, my course is run, and now I’m on my way.” Patients in more than 30 radiation and chemotherapy centers around the United States and Latin America—including Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM)—are reading that mantra and ringing that celebratory bell thanks to 16-year-old philanthropist Isabella Spar’s passion and generosity.
“When my mother went through proton radiation, it was a scary time for my whole family,” Ms. Spar said. “At the hospital, they had a bell for patients to ring after their last treatment. It was such a big moment for my family to see my mom ring it. Right then, I knew I wanted to spread that feeling of accomplishment to patients around the world, so I founded Project Bell.”
Funded through a combination of donations and the sale of inspirational jewelry made by Ms. Spar on her website (ProjectBell.org), Project Bell donates “New Beginning” bells to any treatment center who would like one. After four years of successful contributions, over 20,000 patients per year ring a bell donated by Ms. Spar. Today, she is well on her way to realizing her vision to gift a bell to every hospital in the country.
The most recent recipient of Ms. Spar’s kindness is CHAM’s Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, CHAM—whose home in the Bronx grew into the hardest-hit community in the nation—transformed pediatric units to accommodate the influx of adult patients sick with COVID-19. As CHAM returns to a fully pediatric operation, Ms. Spar hopes the bell will symbolize promise and healing—for all.
“My goal is for this bell to bring a sense of inspiration and empowerment to everyone at CHAM and the CHAM patients who are going through treatment and striving to ring the bell soon,” said Ms. Spar. “These kids are going through so much, so I hope this bell brings a sense of joy to them and their families.”
It is inspired individuals like Ms. Spar who are helping to change the course of healthcare. Will you join her?
To learn more about Project Bell or to request a bell for a radiation and / or chemotherapy center, contact Isabella Spar at info@projectbell.org.
