Dani Mazzilli, JoAnn Mazzilli-Zolotin, and Lee Mazzilli
The world-class care NewYork-Presbyterian provides is enriched by the families we serve and the countless families that support our efforts through philanthropy—like the Mazzilli Family. Lee Mazzilli and JoAnn Mazzilli-Zolotin recently dedicated new CT/PET technology at the Center for Community Health (CCH) at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in honor of their late brother, Fred L. Mazzilli, through the foundation they established in his name.
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a test that uses a special type of camera and a tracer (radioactive substance) to look at organs in the body. When coupled with a computed tomography (CT) scan that uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of the inside of the body, this technology will allow specialists and other staff at the CCH to better diagnose and treat cancer at all stages.
Fred Mazzilli
The Mazzilli family has called Brooklyn their home for decades, and has enriched the borough and beyond with their hard work and generosity. Fred, Lee, and JoAnn were all born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, with Lee demonstrating great baseball talent early in his youth. Lee would go on to play for teams such as the New York Mets, the Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees. He would go on to coach the Yankees during their 2000 World Championship run and manage the Baltimore Orioles. Regardless of the role, Lee always strived to help his teammates however he could.
A cornerstone of the Mazzilli family, Fred was no different. Spirited and caring, Fred was a source of strength and support to all he knew. “Our children were his children. … He always had a smile on his face,” says JoAnn, CEO of the Fred L. Mazzilli Foundation. In 2011, Fred was diagnosed with locally advanced lung cancer and came into the care of Dr. Anthony Saleh and his team at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. “People come to us when they’re in their most vulnerable state to get that care that is so important,” says Dr. Saleh.
Over the next few months, Fred and his family became very close with Dr. Saleh as they navigated the rigors of Fred’s treatment together. “You’ve heard of bedside manner: Dr. Saleh has above the bedside manner,” says Dani Mazzilli, Fred’s sister-in-law. Consistent communication and compassion deepened the bond between the family and NYP Brooklyn Methodist staff, with Dr. Saleh remembering, “When Fred was ill, Lee would call me on a daily basis. I was always honest with him and was always available to him.”
left to right: Juan Meija, MPH, President of NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital; Dr. Anthony Saleh;
Lee Mazzilli; Dani Mazzilli; and JoAnn Zolotin-Mazzilli.
Fred persisted through several rounds of treatment but passed peacefully surrounded by loving family in 2012. Inspired by his memory and the care he received, the Mazzilli family came together to determine how they could express their appreciation for Dr. Saleh and NewYork-Presbyterian. Lung cancer screening was still in a nascent phase, but the family knew they wanted to do something that would advance lung cancer care with Dr. Saleh’s help. Thus, the Fred L. Mazzilli Foundation was established to help empower and fund lung cancer screenings throughout Brooklyn. “We did this because Dr. Saleh was my brother’s physician. After we couldn’t save my brother, we were just so grateful for everything he did," JoAnn states. “We got together and decided we would do something every year to give to this hospital to say thank you and to help other people.”
In addition to giving to the Hospital annually, the Fred L. Mazzilli Foundation works in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian to provide hundreds of lung cancer screenings every year—even covering the cost of some screenings when patients are unable to afford them. “It is a labor of love … everything goes to the Hospital and with time we will grow more and more with exposure,” Dani offers. “This gives us a chance to see that maybe somebody else won’t have to go through what we went through.” Speaking at the dedication, President of NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Juan Meija, MPH, reaffirmed this message. "Many patients have benefited from screenings and lung cancer tests," said Meija. "Now they'll be supported from screening to minimum invasive treatments."
Three generations of the Mazzilli family
The Foundation is excited to continue helping advance lung cancer care and supporting the people of Brooklyn on a larger scale. “This is something special because of all the time we put into every year,” mentions Dani. “We’re a small foundation … we really don’t have anyone running the foundation for us, so this just motivates us to keep going.”
“When you put your head down on the pillow at night and you feel good about helping people, that’s what counts,” Lee says.