Blue Star Families Lend Support to Soldiers

One of the most recent projects led by the Blue Star Families is the Operation Appreciation program. The Blue Star Families Military Life Issues Survey found overwhelmingly (94%) that the public doesn’t understand or fully appreciate what the military is doing each day and the sacrifices they are making.

Blue Star Families, including Board of Directors member Connie Milstein, started “Operation Appreciate” to express gratitude to those in the field. This initiative invites community members to write letters of support to the military families. The person sending the card can send it to the parent, spouse or child of a military member, or to a veteran in the armed services.

This is a perfect activity for schools, Cub Scout and Brownie troupes, and more. It is a great opportunity to let military people know that others are thinking of them and appreciating the work that they are doing for America.

New Heart Center Offers “State-of-the-Art Care”

The latest addition to excellent health care in New York City has opened its doors as of February 1st, 2010. The Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center will begin offering cutting-edge cardiac care within the New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center’s prestigious walls. Designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners in conjunction with daSilva Architects, this 260 million dollar, 142,000 square foot, 6 floor facility will be able to give the best care possible to cardiac patients and others with related conditions.

Fifty million dollars of the cost was donated by the Milstein Family, which has a long history of service and support for the hospital. Connie Milstein, daughter of Seymour and Vivian, has been actively involved on several committees at the medical center, including the Quality and Performance Improvement Committee. The donation represents one of the largest single donations in New York Presbyterian Hospital’s history, and will go far to create one of the most outstanding cardiac facilities in the country, and even the world.

Susan Axelrod on the 60 Minutes Segment

Hear from CURE Epilepsy founder Susan Axelrod, and the many supporters of this organization, including Connie Milstein about the recent 60 Minutes segment.

CURE Reaches Its 2009 Goals

As 2009 came to a close, CURE raced to raise $250,000. They were thrilled to not only raise this amount, but to surpass their goals as the year ended. This money will go to fund another Challenge Grant for the coming year, which will be named the Friends for the Cure Award. The extra money will, hopefully, fund yet another research project.

President Susan Axelrod, newest Board Member Connie Milstein, and many others were thrilled with the fundraising efforts they saw in 2009. They hope to continue to publicize the needs of those with epilepsy in 2010 and they hope to continue to fight epilepsy in the coming decade.

A Great Upcoming Production

The City Parks Foundation is excited, as 2010 begins, to announce that Three will be coming to the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park. A compilation of the classic fairy tales, “Three Three Little Pigs,” “Three Billy Goats Gruff,” and “The Three Bears,” this is an hysterically funny and enjoyable production.

Written by Jeff Borkin, a children’s TV writer and Emmy winner, the show includes original music and marionettes that are made by master pupetter Addis Williams. The show will run from January 12, 2012 to June 25, 2010.

This is one of the many performances and activities that the City Parks Foundation offers. The Board of Directors include Andrew Tisch and Jean Troubh, and the many trustees include Connie Milstein, James Abadie and others.

Support for CURE From Connie Milstein

Epilepsy research is underfunded when compared to other illnesses receiving funding for research. According to a study conducted in 2008, whereas Parkinson’s disease received between 2,000 and 2,500 dollars per patient in the United States, Epilepsy research received only 500-590 dollars per patient.

One of the mandates of CURE, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, is to lobby the government and educate the public to give funds for Epilepsy research which is on par with other health research in the U.S.

The newest board member of CURE, Connie Milstein will be contributing to this effort and help bring the goals of CURE to the forefront of the consciousness of the public in the United States.

Connie Milstein Comes on Board of CURE

Connie Milstein has recently added another organization that she actively supports with her hard work and determination. Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, known as CURE, has added Ms. Milstein to their board of directors.

Susan Axelrod is the President of CURE, which she co-founded with two other women in 1998 after experiencing years of frustration and disappointment trying to find appropriate medication or a cure for her daughter Lauren’s severe epilepsy.

Connie Milstein has been involved with CURE in the past, helping with fund raising and hosting special events for the supporters of CURE. It was only a natural consequence of Connie’s undaunted and devoted support which led her to becoming an active board member for CURE.