Press Release From The Cancer Institute of New Jersey

June 28, 2006
Contact: Courtney DeNicola
(732) 235-9872
denicoca@umdnj.edu

Award of Hope Honorees Announced
Annual Event To Honor Long-time Friends and Supporters
and Leading Breast Cancer Physicians

New Brunswick, New Jersey, June 27, 2006 — The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Foundation Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the honorees for the Eleventh Annual Award of Hope Gala and Benefit Auction. Governor Christine Todd Whitman and John R. Whitman will receive the Award of Hope for their years of support to bring a cancer center of extraordinary quality to the citizens of New Jersey and for their leadership to continue to advance cancer care and discovery. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) breast oncologists Dr. Deborah Toppmeyer and Dr. Tom Kearney will be honored with the Leadership in Patient Care Award for their dedication to their patients, their research, and the community.

This year’s Gala and Benefit Auction will take place Saturday, October 7, 2006 at
Pontefract Farm in Oldwick, New Jersey.

Since its inception, the Gala has raised more than $6,000,000 for cancer research, patient care, and education programs at CINJ. Today, the New Brunswick-based facility is New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest level of designation awarded by the United States government.

"The Award of Hope Gala provides a great opportunity to raise awareness about CINJ research, patient care and programs and to recognize those who are making a difference in the fight against cancer,” said Leslie Taylor, Chair of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation’s Board. “Governor Whitman, John Whitman and Drs. Toppmeyer and Kearney in their day-to-day lives provide models of service to which we can all aspire. We look forward to a successful and inspirational evening.”

Award of Hope

Over the past several years, the Whitman’s have played an integral role in building,
nuturing and leading CINJ to its position as one of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment centers. In addition to serving as a member of CINJ’s Leadership Council and Board of Overseers respectively, Governor Whitman and John Whitman have continued to help guide the Institute’s growth, lending their support toward activities that advance CINJ’s continuing research and education efforts for the benefit of all NJ citizens.

Established in 1997, the Award of Hope was created to recognize individuals,
corporations and foundations that make extraordinary contributions to the cancer care of New Jersey citizens.

Leadership in Patient Care

Drs. Toppmeyer and Kearney will receive the Leadership in Patient Care Award in
recognition for their dedication in providing each and every patient with the best and
most compassionate care. Under Dr. Toppmeyer’s leadership, The CINJ LIFE Center, whose mission it is to understand and develop methods to prevent and reduce young women’s chances of developing or dying from breast cancer, has developed into one of CINJ’s most aspiring programs, giving young women hope and the opportunity to better understand their risk.

As Co-director of the New Jersey Comprehensive Breast Care Center and Director of the Section of Breast Surgery, Dr. Kearney has created a program where patients receive the highest quality of care, including the latest treatment options for their disease. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Tom Kearney, CINJ’s Breast Cancer Program is one of the best in the state, providing exceptional patient care in a compassionate setting.

For sponsorship opportunities, ticket inquiries and more information about CINJ’s Award of Hope Gala and Benefit Auction, please call The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation at 732/235-8614.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the state’s first and only National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is dedicated to improving the prevention, detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer. CINJ’s physician-scientists engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice quite literally bringing research to life. The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. To support CINJ, please call 732/235-8614.

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Network is comprised of hospitals throughout the state and provides a mechanism to rapidly disseminate important discoveries into the community. Partner Hospitals: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Atlantic Health System (Morristown Memorial Hospital, Mountainside Hospital, Overlook Hospital). Affiliate Hospitals: Bayshore Community Hospital, CentraState Healthcare System, Cooper University Hospital (CINJ at Cooper),* Jersey Shore University Medical Center, JFK Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton (CINJ-Hamilton), Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Somerset Medical Center, Southern Ocean County Hospital, The University Hospital/UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School,* and University Medical Center at Princeton.
*Academic Affiliate