An aura of true joy and purpose overflowed on a recent fall evening as hundreds of cancer survivors, their families and their healthcare professionals joined together to celebrate the work of North Shore University Hospital’s Don Monti Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program.

Among all the commotion of the gathering for the Sixth Annual Celebration of Life dinner at the Crest Hollow Country Club, two humble men were overwhelmed and almost speechless. Robert Carucci, a 29-year-old bone marrow recipient from Medford, came face-to-face for the first time with his bone marrow donor, Petty Officer First Class Rick Foresteire of the United States Navy.

Mr. Carucci was diagnosed in 2002 with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After chemotherapy and a subsequent stem cell transplant did not place him in remission, Mr. Carucci needed a bone marrow transplant. A long-time platelet donor, Orlando, FL, native Petty Officer Foresteire joined the National Bone Marrow Registry 12 years ago and then received word a couple of years ago that his bone marrow was a match for Mr. Carucci, who received his transplant in September 2006 at North Shore University Hospital, under the care of Ruthee Lu Bayer, MD, chief of the Don Monti Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit.

“I would always try to help someone, but the opportunity to save someone’s life, well, I would do it all over again,” said Petty Officer Foresteire. “It’s a great feeling to see him here with his family.” This heroic story was just one of many that unfolded during the evening. Patients Frank Balchaitis and Mary Ann Vargin celebrated their one-year and five-year transplant anniversaries, respectively. Each shared personal stories of the challenges they and their families faced when confronted with their life-threatening illnesses.

“It’s not just about me, it’s about us,” Mr. Balchaitis told survivors, their loved ones, the Transplant Unit staff and the “anonymous angel” who supported him in fighting this “unseen enemy.”

“I was so lucky to have my family and friends, but my shining star was Dr. Bayer,” proclaimed Ms. Vargin. During her battle with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), “Dr. Bayer always had such faith in me.”

Dr. Bayer thanked Caroline Monti Saladino, president of the Don Monti Memorial Research Foundation, for her deep commitment and unending support of the patients and for the “extreme makeover” the foundation recently helped fund for the unit.

In June 1972, 16-year-old Don Monti, Caroline’s brother, passed away at North Shore University Hospital after losing his battle with myeloblastic leukemia. Caroline’s parents, Tita and Joseph Monti, honored their son’s memory shortly after by establishing the foundation with a mission of finding a cure for cancer through research, education, fellowship and care.

“This is a day my parents lived for,” recalled Ms. Monti Saladino. “Good friends and family and good spirit.”

The celebration was all the more sweeter when Dr. Bayer announced that earlier in the week, the Program received the prestigious Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) accreditation and is now the only accredited adult bone marrow transplant center in the Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island area. “Tonight would not be possible without Caroline’s help,” she said.

“My life has been touched and enriched by each one of you in this room,” added Dr. Bayer. “As one we stand strong. But together we are unbeatable.”

Media Contact: Terry Lynam, 516-465-2640