Howard and Abby Milstein Foundation Reaches Milestones In Health, Education and Other Philanthropic Projects

NEW YORK, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Howard and Abby Milstein Foundation is pleased to announce that Spring 2012 has seen the culmination of several philanthropic endeavors at the heart of the foundation's mission.

In areas such as education, science and medicine and youth services, projects supported by the foundation (and the Paul and Irma Milstein Foundation, established by Howard P. Milstein's father) reached important milestones in early 2012. Together, such accomplishments represent tens of millions of dollars in charitable giving.

Howard P. Milstein said: "We've been quite busy in the last several months with milestone events in many of our initiatives. This becomes apparent when you look at the number of projects reaching culmination in Spring 2012."

Key events related to Milstein-supported charitable projects include:

• In March, Paul Milstein Hall of Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP) was the focus of a weekend celebration by alumni, faculty, and students to mark the building's completion. The event was held in the Abby and Howard Milstein Auditorium, an innovative, beautiful and technologically advanced space. Since its completion, Milstein Hall has received numerous architectural awards.
• In April, the New York Blood Center (NYBC) hosted the "Second Milstein Symposium: Perspectives in Cord Blood Biology and Clinical Applications." The symposium celebrated recent FDA approval of HEMACORD™, a cellular therapy product developed and manufactured by the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center at NYBC. HEMACORD™ is the first FDA-licensed hematopoietic progenitor cells-cord (HPC-C) cell therapy, which uses cord blood stem cells to treat disorders of the hematopoietic, or blood forming, system.
• Also in April, Harvard Law School dedicated the Milstein Conference Center, a central feature of Wasserstein Hall, designed to bring students and faculty together and improve the student experience. Howard and Abby Milstein, both alumni of Harvard Law School, met in 1973 while students at the school.
• Spring 2012 also saw the continued development of the Milstein Medical Asian American Partnership Foundation (MMAAPF), an international, bilateral initiative dedicated to contributing to the improvement of world health by developing mutually beneficial partnerships between the United States and Asia. Working with some of the premier health organizations in the world, MMAAPF will bring together and fund exchanges between the best research and medical talent from both regions. The Howard and Abby Milstein Foundation and the Paul Milstein family are making significant financial commitments to the growth and development of the partnership, which will focus on areas including: senior healthcare; reproductive medicine; blood research; skin disease and melanoma; and translational medicine.

Awards and Honors

Howard P. Milstein has received several awards this Spring for his philanthropic work. Last night, Mr. Milstein was honored by the nonprofit Abilities! at their 46th Annual "Sports Night" event. Abilities! is an organization dedicated to giving children with physical disabilities the opportunity to receive a quality education, vocational training and employment placement. Abilities! is also home to The Henry Viscardi School, one of the nation's foremost institutions for educating children with severe physical and medical disabilities. Mr. Milstein was introduced at the event by his business partner, famed golfer Jack Nicklaus. Each spoke of their mutual commitment to giving back to the community.

And just last week, Mr. Milstein received a Humanitarian Award from the Catholic Big Sisters and Big Brothers organization.

These most recent honors come on the heels of Mr. Milstein's appointment in March as Honorary Battalion Chief by the New York City Fire Department. Mr. Milstein was sworn in by New York Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano.

"Howard is a true friend to this Department," Commissioner Cassano said during the ceremony. "He has always done the right thing for this Department, always been there to offer his help and support, and that's why we're here today."

Mr. Milstein is President and CEO of New York Private Bank & Trust and its operating bank, Emigrant Savings Bank. He also leaders the Milstein family's real estate companies, including: Milstein Properties, Milford Management, and the Milford Agency.

About The Howard and Abby Milstein Foundation

For more than 15 years, the Howard and Abby Milstein Foundation has been taking on some of the most challenging issues facing the world today. The Foundation's strategic gifts, institutional leadership and hands-on involvement stimulate innovation, create efficiencies and produce results in seven core areas: Medical Research, Biotechnology & Science; Higher Education & Youth; History; Religious and Communal Organizations; Arts & Culture; Law Enforcement & Homeland Security; and Civic Engagement.

SOURCE The Howard and Abby Milstein Foundation