One of the best-established charities in South Jersey was created out of  despair. Nearly a half-century after its founding, the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer and Heart Fund has done more to help those in need than anyone at the time could have predicted.

Ruth Newman Shapiro, the daughter of Rose Newman, was born in Atlantic City and attended Atlantic City High School, where she was a top student involved in many after-school activities. After attending college, she married her high school sweetheart, Matthew Shapiro. Together, they adopted several children and had one of their own. A devoted mother and wife, Ruth had a busy, productive life that was cut tragically short when she died of cancer at 32.

Her mother found meaning in her loss. In 1961, cancer patients had to drive to New York or Philadelphia to get cobalt radiation treatments. With her daughter, Doritt Linsk, and six others, Ruth raised $20,000—enough for the down payment for a cobalt machine for Atlantic City Hospital. It was the start of the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer Memorial Fund.

At first, Rose thought her group would disperse after the cobalt machine was paid for. But she found that local cancer patients had needs that were unfulfilled, and the RNS Fund continued its work. In 1965, Atlantic City Hospital dedicated the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cobalt Unit and, three years later, unveiled a mammography unit and a suite of diagnostic tools the group had also donated.

As the hospital grew, so did RNS. In 1988, the fund pledged $1 million to build the Ruth Newman Shapiro Regional Cancer Center at what was then called the Atlantic City Medical Center, City Division. The fund supported treatment for cancer patients at other local institutions including Shore Memorial Hospital, the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilita-tion and Cape Regional Medical Center. While RNS continued to assist South Jersey cancer patients, the fund’s directors (all of whom were volunteers) learned there was a similar need for support of the region’s cardiac care facilities. So RNS began to raise money to create better facilities for people with heart disease.

In 1997, members announced a five-year mission to upgrade cardiac care at Shore Memorial. Two years later, the new Ruth Newman Shapiro Cardiac Care Unit opened. In late 2001, the fund delivered the last installment of a $750,000 gift.

In 1998, the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center opened at the Bacharach Institute Rehabilitation Center’s Pomona campus, and in 2001 the Heart Institute-Rose Newman Pavilion at Atlantic City Medical Center’s City Division began providing cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology.

In the area of cancer diagnoses and treatment, RNS was just as active, with a mobile mammography van hitting the streets in 1995, as well as ongoing programs to support patient care at Atlantic City Medical Center (renamed the Atlanticare Regional Medical Center in 2005), as well as Shore Memorial and Burdette Tomlin.

Over 48 years, the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer and Heart Fund has assembled an impressive track record because of the passion and determination of its volunteer staff and the success of its fundraising events. These include an annual golf tournament, several luncheons and events, and the Show House at the Shore, a summer tradition that started in 1992.

Each year, the Show House takes over an area home and turns loose an army of designers and artists, transforming it into a showcase of the latest in home design and fashion.

This summer, the Show House is living “La Dolce Vita” at one of Ventnor’s most storied domiciles, at 12 South Suffolk Avenue. The 1920s Dutch Colonial was most famously the home of Paul “Skinny” D’Amato, owner of the legendary 500 Club. From July 11 to August 16, visitors can see this celebrated house, enjoying lectures and conversations about interior design.

It’s fitting that the Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer and Heart Fund, a stalwart charity for nearly a half-century, has crossed paths with another towering figure in Atlantic City history.

2009 Show House at the Shore:
12 South Suffolk Ave., Ventnor

Gala Designer Open House & Preview Party: Friday, July 10, 7 p.m.-10 p.m. includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts from Atlantic City casino hotels, regional restaurants and country clubs.
   
Show House Hours:
July 11 to August 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday
and Thursday. Boutique open daily.

Seashore Conversations Lecture Series: Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 11 a.m. featuring nationally renowned designers

Meet the Designer Night:
Every Thursday, 6-8 p.m.

RNS Digital Mobile Mammography Van:
Wednesdays from July 15 through August 12, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Women who have their mammograms at the van will receive complimentary tickets to the exhibition. Call 800-246-2404 to schedule an appointment.

By David Schwartz

David G. Schwartz (www.dieiscast.com), an Atlantic City native, is the Director of the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV and the author of several books, including Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling.

Comments(1):

1. RNS Cancer & Heart Fund Article by David Schwartz

   It is always a pleasure to have our organization's history and accomplishments recounted. Mr. Schwartz gave us a sterling tribute and for that we are most appreciative. Our success is possible only through the generosity of the community. I hope this article inspires that continued support and educates the public of our good work started so long ago. Sincerely, Julie Reses RNS President

   Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Julie