WESTBURY, N.Y., Jan. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This year marks the 20^th anniversary of Stoff Institute for Medical Research (SIMR) - a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Jesse Stoff dedicated to cancer research and the advancement of integrative medicine. As of early 2016, SIMR kick-started AWARENESS FOR A CURE, a local media-based resource program supporting all Island-based cancer charities. "With the help of my colleagues in the healthcare and care-giving communities, we produced AFAC to facilitate grant-searches for patients and survivors - and also to assist in the promotion of cancer charities, fundraising events and educational efforts," states Dr. Stoff.

One of AFAC's partners is BEST ANSWER FOR CANCER (bestanswerforcancer.org) - an international organization of doctors working to shift the cancer paradigm to a more patient-centered treatment approach. Dr. Stoff carried the same free-resource access and education-based principles into the AFAC blueprint to help orgs' fundraising attendance through social media and mass publishing via web. 

AFAC's charity directory details the specific help that they offer the public. As listed, groups such as the Bone Marrow Foundation, Frankie's Mission, and Andrew McDonough B+Foundation are dedicated to raising money to help fund specific cancer research or provide financial help to patients & families. Meanwhile, the Susan Satriano Memorial Scholarship Foundation gives out money to children whose parents may have been stricken with cancer.

One of the top headliners of "Awareness News" is LI2DAY (www.li2daywalk.org), producers of breast cancer walks on Long Island. Since 2003, founder Ginny Salerno has been organizing multi-day walks all over Long Island where 100% of the funds raised by walkers would stay on Long Island to be distributed by grassroots breast cancer service & support organizations. With support from local politicians and businesses, Breast Cancer Walks have raised over $6 million dollars in 14 years.

AWARENESS IN THE NEWS
In a 2017 on-air interview at WBAB/WBLI, Dr. Stoff was featured as one of Long Island's cancer crusaders and discussed the ways that charities are helping the recently diagnosed. To represent this, guest speaker Jaime LaMarca (Patient Access Manager of the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society) joined the show. "I visit hospitals and oncology offices to raise awareness about LLS and what we can do to help," says Ms. LaMarca. "When a patient is first diagnosed, they are thrown into a world they certainly don't want to be in. An easily accessible support system is really important for (any) patient - and as a social worker, it's a passion of mine to bring support, education and offer financial assistance!"

AFAC also produces "Survivor Stories," a mini-biography video series presenting inspirational role models who escaped the deadly disease. One of the many stories include Rachel Klein, a Long Island mom with a then-to-now perspective of what it was like to first get diagnosed. With the help of foundations like LLS, she received help to "stay in the fight" and regain her quality of life for years to come.

Publishers of AFAC News promote the achievements of local cancer orgs. "By listing & cataloguing grants, publishing fundraiser videos and posting the charity events all over social media, we have become advocates of the charities and a true ally to patients and survivors!" states Laurel Muckey, AFAC co-editor.

To date, Dr. Jesse Stoff continues to pursue his many philanthropic projects. He is also involved in writing and publishing countless articles and books about cancer & wellness while working full-time as the medical director and head onco-immunologist at the Integrative Medicine of NY in Westbury, Long Island (integrativemedicineofny.com). 

Media contact:
Grace Dellavalle
631-920-5757

SOURCE Stoff Institute for Medical Research