Geri Barish, flanked by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, presented a $70,000 check on behalf of 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Dr. Michael Wigler on January 26, 2005.That same evening the first Michael Haven’s Children’s Cancer Grant was awarded to Dr. Scott Lowe, Deputy Director of the CSHL Cancer Center.

(from l-r): Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory President and CEO Bruce Stillman, Ph.D., 1 in 9 Vice President Louise Levine, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor Michael Wigler, Ph.D., 1 in 9 President Geri Barish, and 1 in 9 Board Members Fran Kritchik and Sherry Chaikin.

“Cancer is a monumental problem with so many important issues including patient rights and access care, but we must never forget the importance of research. My heart is with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and I know that one day the answers will be found right here, on Long Island, from this special place,” Barish said.

Through awareness programs, education, and especially research funding, 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition has worked for more than a decade to eliminate breast cancer on Long Island. In that time, 1 in 9 has donated in excess of $1 million to Dr. Wigler and his colleagues. Dr. Wigler was among the first scientists to discover a human oncogene and is a pioneer in the development of powerful research tools to compare healthy cells and diseased cells. With this technology he is identifying genes associated with breast and many other cancers, autism, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s disease.

(from l-r): Michael’s Haven Founder Geri Barish and Dr. Hans Guido Wendel, a post-doc in Dr. Scott Lowe’s lab, who accepted the award on his behalf.

Michael’s Haven, founded more than three years ago by Geri and her husband Alan, in memory of their son Michael, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing free childhood cancer education, outreach, and resources to children, families and caregivers touched by cancer. Always committed to research, the Barishs created the Michael’s Haven Children’s Cancer Grant and bestowed the first grant to Dr. Lowe. Dr. Lowe is making great strides in the understanding of programmed cell death and chemotherapy resistance.

“Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has been fortunate to have found such a great friend in Geri Barish. We are grateful that she has now entrusted us with her son’s honor and chosen us as the first recipient of funds from Michael’s Haven,” Bruce Stillman, President and CEO of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, said.