Donor Spotlight - The Mathers Foundation
"Our organization's driving mission is to 'advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring research that will benefit mankind.' Never has that mission been so urgent than during this global pandemic." - Richard Handelman, The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation
When COVID-19 first began spreading across New York, The G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation felt compelled to act for their community and their world. Based in Rye Brook, New York, The Mathers Foundation saw firsthand the virus’ unprecedented growth into neighboring New Rochelle—what would soon become one of the nation’s first hot spots for COVID-19.
"Our organization’s driving mission is to ‘advance knowledge in the life sciences by sponsoring research that will benefit mankind.’ Never has that mission been so urgent than during this global pandemic," said Richard Handelman from The Mathers Foundation. "We knew that finding a research partner who shared our vision was critical, and we believe that the Albert Einstein College of Medicine has the professional expertise to conduct this seminal project."
In service to their mission, The Mathers Foundation made an inspiring $300,000 contribution to Einstein’s Critical Response Research & Education Fund in support of Dr. Liise-anne Pirofski, Chief, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Selma and Dr. Jacques Mitrani Chair in Biomedical Research, and Professor, Department of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, to fuel her investigations into a treatment for COVID-19.
Drawing on her expertise in infectious diseases, Dr. Pirofski teamed up with scientists at Johns Hopkins University early in the pandemic to utilize plasma from patients who had recovered from COVID-19 to treat the infection through "convalescent serum." In April 2020, Dr. Pirofski’s research translated to the bedside by advancing to a randomized controlled clinical trial in connection with NYU Langone.
Partnerships across the scientific, medical, and philanthropic communities have been instrumental in Montefiore and Einstein’s response to COVID-19. Thanks to a generous $1 million matching challenge from The Price Family Foundation to fund research at Einstein, The Mathers Foundation’s contribution had double the impact.
It is committed partners like The Mathers Foundation who are helping to change the course of COVID-19. Will you join us?
