Robert E. Helpern Received National Jewish Health President’s Award

Hospital Trustee and Golf Tournament Co-Chair Recognized for More than 15 Years of Dedication

On June 4, National Jewish Health held its 22^nd Annual Golf Tournament at Fresh Meadow Country Club. The event honored longtime co-chair Robert E. Helpern and raised more than $180,000 benefiting The Fund to Cure Asthma.
 

The Fund to Cure Asthma raises critically important funds for basic and clinical research related to understanding, treating and eventually conquering this widespread, debilitating and often fatal disease.

“About 2.5 million people have a type of severe asthma that affects their day-to-day lives in ways many of us cannot imagine. For these individuals, going to work or attending school can be a daily struggle,” said Marc Krause, National Jewish Health associate vice president for development, eastern region.

Nancy and James Berry Hill and Marjorie and Stephen Raphael started The Fund to Cure Asthma to help National Jewish Health, the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, provide compassionate care and conduct groundbreaking research related to asthma. For more than 15 years, Robert E. Helpern of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirsctritt LLP, has co-chaired the Annual Golf Tournament that helps raise money for the Fund. For his dedication, Helpern was honored with the National Jewish Health President’s Award.

“Bob’s fundraising has helped bring us within reach of curing the most severe, life-threatening asthma. His efforts have benefited a great number of people who now breathe easier because of the research supported by the Fund to Cure Asthma,” said Michael Salem, MD, president and CEO of National Jewish Health.

The President’s Award is one of the highest awards given at National Jewish Health, and pays tribute to individuals whose exceptional support through philanthropy, volunteerism and leadership has furthered the institution’s research, patient care or education mission.

In addition to leading the Annual Golf Tournament, Helpern has served for more than a decade as an ambassador for National Jewish Health in his role as National Trustee.

“It has been my honor to serve as a National Trustee of National Jewish Health and to Co-Chair the Annual Golf Tournament for The Fund to Cure Asthma for many years,” Helpern said. “The golf tournament has raised millions of dollars which will help National Jewish Health find better treatments and ultimately a cure for asthma. It is a very special place and I hope to continue my involvement for many years.”

Through the support of events such as the Annual Golf Tournament, Denver-based National Jewish Health has become a place of hope and healing for people in New York and across the country that are living with severe asthma. It is the place in the United States where physicians refer the most difficult asthma cases.

Co-chairing the 22^nd Annual Golf Tournament with Helpern was Stephen B. Siegel, chairman of Global Brokerage at CBRE, Inc. Siegel also serves as co-chair of the National Jewish Health Council of National Trustees. Samuel B. Lewis, of SBL Property Consultants, LLC, was chairman emeritus for the tournament. He, too, serves as a National Trustee.

Sponsoring the event were Tournament Sponsors Marjorie and Stephen Raphael; Birdie Sponsors Jacqueline and Bob Helpern, Hercules Corp., Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, First American Title Insurance Company, Sheila and Sandy Lewis, Diane and Darryl Mallah; Journal Founders Demari Services/The Tower Group, Marsha and Richard Goldberg; Par Sponsor Sheryl and Arnie Winick; Journal Patrons Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, RD Management LLC, Robert Morrow, Harriet and Eric Rothfeld; Journal Benefactors Mc Gowan Builders, Inc., Pearlgreen Corporation-Yellowstone Supply; and Hole-in-One Sponsor Audi Biener.

For more information about the Golf Tournament or other National Jewish Health events in the New York area, contact Mattie L. Shepheard at 212.297.0857 or ShepheardM@njhealth.org. You can also review the program booklet.