University Hospitals of Cleveland (UHC) announced two philanthropic gifts today to advance childhood cancer programs. 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 is in honor of their daughter, Hilary, a cancer survivor. The combined gifts will fund the Jack H. and William N. Skirball Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Ireland Cancer Center of UHC.

 As parents, the Vassils wanted what all parents desire for their child -- a chance to be normal, to fit in, to enjoy childhood. Their worst fears almost came true when Hilary was diagnosed with aggressive leukemia at the young age of 8. Hilary, now 15, received lifesaving care at the Ireland Cancer Center and Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and has remained cancer free for two years. She is a sophomore at Walsh Jesuit High School and is an athletic trainer for the football team as well as an active member of SADD.

 "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 Foundation’s 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."

 "We spent many late nights at the hospital and the nurses on Rainbow (floor) 2 are second to none," said Mr. Vassil. "We have been to too many funerals as a result of this disease and this gift will help close that floor -- eliminate it and the disease."

 Susan Wiersma, M.D., pediatric oncologist at Ireland and Rainbow, cared for Hilary, guiding her through her treatment, therapy and remarkable recovery from leukemia. Hilary still receives six-month checkups at Ireland to monitor her continued progress.

 "Compassionate care is sometimes as important to patients and their families as medical treatment," said Dr. Wiersma. "Gifts like these enable us to pursue more research and advanced treatment that ultimately results in children getting to go home healthy."

 "The ongoing generosity of those who have been touched by this disease is a testament to Rainbow and Ireland," said John Letterio, M.D., chief of Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology. "Without the continued commitment from generous benefactors to this hospital, we would not be able to care for, treat and help those afflicted as successfully as we have. We are grateful to The Skirball Foundation for initiating this exceptional challenge grant and to the Vassils for their extraordinary gift."

 The Skirball Foundation has roots in Cleveland dating back to its founder, Jack Skirball, who was an assistant rabbi in Cleveland for two years after his college graduation in 1921. In 1950, Jack and his brother, William, established The Skirball Foundation. Jack and his wife, Audrey, moved to California. William remained in Cleveland; he had an office in Playhouse Square and owned movie theaters throughout the Midwest. Following Bill’s death in 1978, Jack’s in 1985, and Audrey’s in 2002, the Skirball legacy lives on through their Foundation.  Since its inception, the Foundation has made philanthropic grants totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, including many in support of clinical research.

 The Foundation’s recent gift to UHC was its first medical contribution in Ohio.

 "The Trustees of The Skirball Foundation appreciate this opportunity to foster important clinical research, a major interest of the Skirballs, particularly with respect to serious illness affecting children," said Foundation President Martin Blackman.

 "Philanthropy comes to us in many forms," said Fred C. Rothstein, M.D., University Hospitals of Cleveland president and chief executive officer, of the Skirball and Vassil gifts. "Whether generosity stems from giving back as a result of successful treatments at University Hospitals of Cleveland or it is based on the promise of that possibility, the ongoing charity and faith in our organization always exceeds our expectations as we are honored to serve as stewards in the pursuit of healthcare excellence."