L-R: Rudolph Giuliani and Nava Barak
In Israel for only two days in October 2005, the former Mayor of New York, Rudolph Giuliani, found time to visit Rabin Medical Center's Davidoff Center, the largest and most prestigious center for the treatment and research of cancer in the Middle East, and fulfilled the promise he made at the 2004 NY gala dinner to visit Israel. Giuliani, who successfully overcame prostate cancer, wanted to give hope and encouragement to patients in their continuous fight against this terrible disease. Speaking before the staff, Giuliani expressed how impressed he was, affirming that this center is one of the most exceptional, outstanding, treatment centers he has ever visited. During his visit, Giuliani also met with two young mothers, Mira Tako and Shiri Givoli, (each with small children) who are cancer patients benefiting from the services of the new Davidoff Center. Giuliani was quite emotional during this meeting and expressed his desire to visit again in the near future.
Current scholarship recipient, Maria Portnoy, demonstrates the enormous impact of your generosity over the years. Born in Ukraine, Maria immigrated to Israel with her family at age six. She majored in robotics during high school and is now in her second year at the Dina Nursing School.
On June 25, 2008, American Friends of Rabin Medical Center
held the first event of a newly-formed group, Wall Street,
High Tech and Life Sciences industries (WHALE), to benefit the
new Emergency and Trauma Center at Rabin Medical Center.
Professor Zvi Laron has been awarded The 2009 Israel Prize for Medical Research, the country's highest honor, for his groundbreaking research on growth hormone activity.