Congratulations! Dean Blumenthal honored by Israel Cancer Research Fund

Lion Brand Yarn Company would like to congratulate our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Dean Blumenthal, on his award at the Israel Cancer Research Fund’s Tower of Hope Gala on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.

Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) is a nationwide charitable organization that was founded in 1975 by a group of American and Canadian researchers, oncologists, and business people determined to harness Israel’s educational and scientific resources in the fight against cancer. ICRF has provided more than $64 million to support innovative studies by Israeli scientists.

George H. Blumenthal, former Vice President here at LBYC and Dean’s father, was one of those business people that was a founding member of ICRF. He served as the Vice President of the Board of Directors before his passing in 1988. It was then that his wife, Rose Blumenthal, took over his board seat.

• How long have you personally been involved with ICRF?

Since it’s founding. I remember the first fundraising event in 1975 and the excitement when a woman in the back of the room stood up and pledged $100,000. It was then that Doctor Hirshaut and my father, who chaired the event, knew we were off to a great start.

• What do you think the significance is of funding research specifically in Israel?

Since Israel is a melting pot of people from all over the world, there is a large base of people to study and that is why the doctors have been able to identify specific cancers relating to certain regions. ICRF is not about building buildings, they are about the research and funding the right doctors to do the research.  

• What was your motivation to accept this honor?

The executives at ICRF shared their goal of remembering the founding members on the 40^th anniversary. I was impressed that they would honor someone who passed away 28 years ago. So this year when I was approached by the ICRF I felt it would be a wonderful tribute to my father upon the 30^th anniversary of his passing.

• What do you think George would say if he was here to see you accept?

I think he would shed a tear and tell me to get back to work!

It is in his father’s memory that Dean accepts this role as honoree as he wishes to continue George‘s legacy of the pursuit of eliminating cancer. Lion Brand is proud of George, Dean, and Dean’s brothers, Jack and Joe, for the work they have supported. We join them in looking forward to a future without cancer.