Patients to Benefit from $1 Million Gift to John Theurer Cancer Center from Grateful Patient and Family
June 29, 2022
Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation is pleased to announce a generous gift from Norton and Anita Waltuch and Boris and Denise Slusarev in honor of the care Boris received during his cancer treatment from Andre Goy, M.D., chairman and chief physician officer at Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center and physician-in-chief of Oncology at Hackensack Meridian Health. The gift will benefit critical cancer research being done in lymphoma at John Theurer Cancer Center, located at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center.
“We are incredibly thankful for this most generous gift from the Waltuch and Slusarev families,” said Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. “Such gifts from grateful patients and their families demonstrate the trust, confidence and hope that our health care heroes provide during life’s most uncertain moments. We know that this gift, a true testament of love and appreciation, will reach beyond today and impact cancer patients and their families tomorrow.”
U.S. News & World Report has recognized John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center as the best cancer center in New Jersey. The recognition reflects the extraordinary strength of its comprehensive patient care, research and education programs.
“My family and I have been very lucky in life, and we are relieved that Boris, my son-in-law, was able to get the wonderful treatment he so desperately needed and deserved,” said Norton Waltuch. “Our daughter, Denise, was with Boris every step of the way, keeping us informed of his treatment and recovery. The comfort and care that Dr. Goy and his team provided to our children is simply priceless. They saved his life, and we are proud to make this gift to show our sincere appreciation and to benefit cancer research at John Theurer Cancer Center.”
In 2019, John Theurer Cancer Center became a member of the National Cancer Institute-approved Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, making the Cancer Center a member of one of just 16 cancer consortia based at the nation's most prestigious institutions. The NCI endorses such consortia to bring together accomplished institutions with independently proven records of excellence to join forces in pursuit of the NCI's original mission: improving cancer outcomes through scientific discovery; reducing the impact of cancer on individuals and communities and diminishing cancer disparities; and developing the next generation of cancer scientists, clinicians and educators.
“We are extremely thankful for this inspirational gift in honor of Boris’s treatment and his successful outcome,” said Dr. Goy. “As John Theurer Cancer Center’s chairman and physician-in-chief, I am humbled to be part of our team amidst the fascinating advancements currently happening in lymphoma and beyond at John Theurer Cancer Center - New Jersey’s largest and premier cancer program at the core of the ongoing revolution in cancer care. As a leader in blood cancer treatment and cell therapy, and as one of the largest programs in mantle cell lymphoma in the country, we aim to provide our patients with the best treatment options they deserve. The Waltuch and Slusarev families’ precious gift will help us continue our mission through our expansion of precision medicine, immunotherapy and data analytics that will continue to transform cancer care. Having the ability and support to push the needle together in cancer is the best reward for our team, and we are again thankful for the Waltuch and Slusarev families’ generosity.”
To learn more about supporting cancer care or research at John Theurer Cancer Center, contact Nancy K. Kennedy, director of development, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation, at nancyk.kennedy@hmhn.org. To donate to John Theurer Cancer Center, visit Give.HackensackMeridianHealth.org/JTCC.