The Society has played a vital role in the Center's success for more than 60 years. Founded in 1946 by a small number of dedicated women, The Society is now a flourishing volunteer organization whose Administrative Board of 100 women and men take part in more than 20 committees dedicated to promoting the well-being of patients, supporting cancer research, and providing public education on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer. In addition, the general members of The Society, numbering an additional 400 people, show their support for the organization's goals through their membership and participation in Society programs, in addition to introducing friends to The Society.

By continually updating and modifying its programs and services to respond to the needs of the Center and its patients, The Society has remained a vibrant and highly effective organization.

Society volunteers display art and flowers throughout all public areas of the hospital and in patient rooms, and plan and support stimulating activities for pediatric patients and their families. Anonymous Society volunteers fulfill the dreams of adult patients at the Center. Working closely with hospital staff, The Society, through its Endowment for Patient Care, also provides assistance with housing and transportation needs facing patients when they visit or stay at the hospital and responds to requests for emergency assistance from patients.

Projects in both basic and clinical research funded by The Society have included a study to identify risk factors predisposing younger women to breast cancer and an investigation of how T-cells recognize and destroy cancer cells. The Society has also provided funding for many of the elements of the Center's commitment to cancer prevention.

To educate the public, The Society presents a variety of programs including an annual Health Education Seminar during which Memorial Sloan-Kettering physicians and researchers make in-depth presentations on current cancer issues. The Society also produces CD-ROMS and brochures to help familiarize patients with hospital facilities and medical procedures.

This ambitious array of programs and projects would not exist without the funds raised by The Society each year. You can ensure that The Society's work will continue to support Memorial Sloan-Kettering's mission of providing the best cancer care--anywhere--to its patients by attending gala events including The Preview Party of The International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show; the "Bunny Hop," the Associates Committee's annual children's party; the Awards for Excellence dinner; by responding to the Annual Appeal or the Special Projects Committee's solicitations; or by making donations of goods to the Society-operated MSKCC Thrift Shop.

For further information about The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, please call 212-639-7972.

Read more about The Society's activities as reported in our May 2008 Center News.