$500K Donated To Huntington Hospital By DezyStrong Foundation

HUNTINGTON, NY — Huntington Hospital was pledged a $500,000 donation toward cancer treatment by the DezyStrong Foundation, the hospital announced.

The Long Island-based DezyStrong Foundation was formed in 2019 by Matthew "Dezy" DiStefano, who battled cancer, to provide chances for those with cancer to have access to experiences that boost their mental wellbeing. DiStefano, a Sachem High School North teacher and volleyball coach, died at the age of 42 in January 2020.

Those who receive support and effective coping strategies during treatment, such as relaxation and stress management techniques, have lower levels of depression, anxiety and symptoms related to cancer, according to the hospital. DiStefano believed optimism has a significant impact on quality of life.

The $500,000 gift pledged over five years will name the five-bay Infusion Suite "The DezyStrong Foundation Infusion Suite" within the Don Monti Cancer Unit at Huntington Hospital. The suite treats between 90 and 150 patients each month and provides a safe health care home for those in need of chemotherapy, IV antibiotics and other types of infusions.

"My family and I are extremely proud to support the board of my husband’s foundation in their decision to partner with and make such a generous donation to Huntington Hospital," said Jennifer DiStefano, the wife of Matthew DiStefano. "This donation will give this great hospital the ability to continue to help others in the spirit of strong mind and strong body. The hospital’s willingness to allow the foundation to become involved in not only the naming of the infusion suite but to be able to interact with the patients and caretakers is exactly the type of relationship that my husband would be proud to have his name associated with."

The foundation’s donation also supports Northwell Health’s seven-year, $1 billion Outpacing the Impossible fundraising campaign to fuel innovation to advance health care and support Northwell’s promise to the people it serves. The campaign — which supports capital projects, improves hospitals and clinical programs, advances research and funds endowment for teaching and research initiatives — was publicly launched in October 2018 and to date, has raised more than $820 million.

"The Infusion Suite also helps those who are uninsured or underinsured," said Nick Fitterman, MD, executive director of Huntington Hospital. "This generous donation will help Huntington Hospital continue to provide state-of-the-art health care to its patients, while also honoring Matthew’s memory."