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Helen and Bernard Kozloff |
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In 2003, after Helen Kozloff was
diagnosed with cancer, her children and grandchildren
approached her with the idea of creating a foundation.
Having already established successful careers of their
own, the younger
Kozloffs encouraged Helen to use her wealth to establish
a family foundation that would perpetuate not just
her own legacy, but provide the opportunity for generations
of family members to become engaged in philanthropy.
The Helen and Bernard Kozloff Family
Foundation was formed in 2003 with a mission to fund
organizations and initiatives that promote and support
healthcare, community, and education. In February,
the Foundation made a $250,000 gift to begin the Kozloff
Family Cancer Research Endowment at the University of Chicago, which will provide continuous
funding for new ideas and investigations that will
address cancer prevention and patient care within
the Section of Hematology and Oncology.
The Kozloff family has deep roots
in Chicago. Throughout their lives together, Ben and
Helen were known for their philanthropy, giving generously
to local organizations and causes, including several
Chicago hospitals and their synagogue.
The couple was the force behind
Ben Kozloff Wholesale Inc., which had been in the
family for two generations. Ben started working in
the business at the young age of 12 in Detroit, and
then moved the company to Chicago after he and Helen
were married. A full-time mother and active community member, Helen was dedicated to raising
their children as well as supporting Ben in their
business and philanthropic endeavors.
Helen’s daughter, Denise
Alfassa, says that after her mother’s diagnosis
with pancreatic cancer, Helen received excellent patient
care at the University of Chicago Medical Center. When Denise’s
sister, Joanne Levine, was diagnosed with colon cancer,
she too was treated at Chicago. Sadly, Joanne lost her battle to cancer in 2000 and Helen
passed away this year.
“Our family has spent a great
deal of time in the oncology unit at the University
of Chicago,” says Denise. “My sister and
mother received
such wonderful care here — the nurses and doctors
are very special and supportive people. We sincerely
want to find a cure — this is why we made our
gift.”
Mike Levine, Joanne’s widower,
summarized the family’s passion for philanthropy
and their dedication to cancer research: “When
we decided to form the foundation, we asked ourselves,
‘What would Ben and Helen want to do?' We
immediately thought about cancer because of the experience
my wife and her mother both had with the disease.”
The family’s relationship
with the University of Chicago goes even further:
Helen and Ben’s son, Mark, is a Clinical Associate
of Medicine in the Section of Hematology and Oncology. Three granddaughters
have connections as well: Sara Levine is engaged to
Eric Lazar, who began a
fellowship in nephrology at the University this year.
Lara Kozloff received her masters in public policy
from the University. And Dana Alfassa
will be attending the University’s Laboratory
High School in September.
“My family and I understand
the tremendous power that research can have to discover
ways to prevent and control this disease,” says
Dr. Mark Kozloff. “The University of Chicago has a strong
reputation for excellence in training new investigators
in cancer research. We felt that a gift to this institution
could have a significant impact on treating this disease.”
Sara agrees: “Our grandparents
were so generous to us. They had a remarkable effect
on our lives. We wanted their memory and names to
live on here by improving other people’s lives
through philanthropy.”
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