LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring The Pat Cairo Family Foundation, Inc.
upon the occasion of its designation for special recognition

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor The
Pat Cairo Family Foundation, Inc. upon the occasion of its designation
for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, The Pat Cairo Family Foundation was organized in 1995 to
assist those struggling with Cancer; and
WHEREAS, Pat Cairo was treated by Carolyn Runowicz, M.D. at the Albert
Einstein College of Medicine/Cancer Center from the onset of the disease
in late 1989 until 1994; Pat spent approximately three months before her
passing in March of 1995 at Calvary Hospital which is an acute care
specialty hospital serving advanced cancer patients; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, The Pat Cairo Family Foundation has
donated significant funds to help those struggling with cancer; each
year through its Annual Dinner Dance held on or about March 4th, Pat's
birthday and the Golf Outing held in the latter part of July, funds are
raised which are then divided equally and presented to Dr. Runowicz, the
HERA Foundation, and Calvary Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Runowicz, Pat's oncologist at Albert Einstein College of
Medicine, is the Director of HERA Foundation; she went on to serve at
St. Luke's-Roosevelt Center and accepted a position as Director of the
Oncology Signature Program and Director of the UConn Cancer Center at
the University of Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, Establishing the Pat Cairo Fellowship in Oncology at the
University of Connecticut Cancer Center, Dr. Runowicz continues with the
training of young physicians and research in the field of Oncology; and
WHEREAS, Perhaps the Foundation's greatest achievement came on Decem-
ber 22, 1999, when New York Governor George Pataki signed into law an
End of Life Care Bill which ensured quality end of life care for thou-
sands of terminally ill cancer patients; specifically, the law requires
insurance companies and HMOs to pay for treatment of terminally ill
patients at acute care specialty hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Since the Bill's passage, hundreds of cancer patients who
otherwise would have been denied coverage for admission and treatment at
Calvary Hospital have spent their final days being cared for; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of the Foundation's efforts, on March 4, 2000,
Calvary Hospital named the third floor south wing of the hospital
"Patricia A. Cairo Hall"; Pat Cairo's husband, Joseph, is to be
commended for his countless work with the Foundation, and for his strong
support of those struggling with cancer; and
WHEREAS, The Pat Cairo Family Foundation's distinguished record merits
the recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor The Pat Cairo Family Foundation, Inc. upon the occasion of its
designation for special recognition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph Cairo and to The Pat Cairo Family Foundation, Inc.