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Lauren Rose Albert Foundation Delivers Gift Bags to MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
L-R: Maria Arredondo, Lauren Rose Albert Foundation; Ricci Sheridan, breast cancer survivor; Josephine Pulcinello, breast cancer survivor; Susan Rose, founder of the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation; Susan Bass Levin, President and CEO of The Cooper Foundation; Clare Carmody, Lauren Rose Albert Foundation; and Ann Steffney, Clinical Director, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
Patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper received gifts of comfort and joy just in time for the holidays.
On December 9, representatives from the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation delivered 75 Mothers Matter gift bags filled with women’s personal care, beauty and spa products, warm socks and other comforting items for patients at the new cancer center.
“Each gift bag has been carefully and lovingly assembled by a volunteer,” said Susan Rose, LRAF President and Founder. “In keeping with the theme of Cooper’s annual breast and ovarian cancer research fundraiser, Pink Roses and Teal Magnolias, — 50 of the gift bags have all pink products and 25 are teal. They are absolutely beautiful as well as comforting and useful.”
Those in attendance to receive the baskets on behalf of Cooper included Susan Bass Levin of Cherry Hill, President and CEO of The Cooper Foundation; Ann Steffney, Clinical Director, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper; Ricci Sheridan of Collingswood, NJ, breast cancer survivor; and Josephine Pulcinello of Burlington, NJ, breast cancer survivor.
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Mothers Matter is a year-round initiative of the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation with an annual distribution of about 4,500 gift bags throughout southern New Jersey, Philadelphia and even Long Island. The foundation has provided gift bags for the Pediatric and Trauma Units at Cooper for the past 10 years, but this was the first distribution at the new cancer center at Cooper.
“I received a beautiful note from a cancer patient at another facility who had received one of our gift bags,” Rose explained. “She said it made her feel very good about the journey ahead. It gave her a personal lift “
Ironically, Rose was faced with a similar journey not too long ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After completing her radiation sessions at Cooper, Rose decided to expand the Mothers Matter partnership to include MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. She said the foundation plans to continue to deliver gift bags to the cancer center in the future.
“These gift bags are going to brighten our patients’ day,” Steffney said. “It’s a nice thought during a difficult time.”
The Lauren Rose Albert Foundation, established by Susan Rose in memory of her daughter, Lauren Rose Albert, who died in car accident at the age of 40. The Cherry Hill-based organization encourages women to achieve economically and educationally and to seek brighter futures for themselves and their families – reflecting Lauren’s legacy of helping others lead better lives.