Two philanthropic gifts intended to advance childhood cancer programs at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital illustrate what a difference a challenge grant can make. Karen and Larry Vassil of Richfield, Ohio, pledged $1 million to meet and exceed a $750,000 challenge grant from The Skirball Foundation of New York. The Vassils gift was given in honor of their daughter, Hilary, a cancer survivor. The combined gifts will fund the Jack J. and William N. Skirball Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Ireland Cancer Center of UHCMC.
Hilary Vassil, now 15 years old, received lifesaving care of the Ireland Cancer Center and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and has remained cancer free for over two years.
“Hilary’s treatment inspired us to look for a way to make a meaningful gift to University Hospitals”, said Mr. Vassil. “When we learned about The Skirball Foundations challenge grant, we were inspired to meet the challenge and to do even more. We are very grateful for the care that our daughter received and are proud to collaborate with The Skirball Foundation.”