New annual prize to recognize pediatric oncologists

The prize committee will be composed of leading figures from business and the military.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Updated: OCTOBER 13, 2015 02:59
DANIELLE SONNENFELD (photo credit: Courtesy)
DANIELLE SONNENFELD
(photo credit: Courtesy)
A charitable fund established in the memory of a young woman who died earlier this year in a car accident on the way to volunteer with young cancer patients will has announced that it will be giving an annual award to pediatric oncologists in her honor.
The Danielle Fund, named after 20-year-old Danielle Sonnenfeld, will present its new award to doctors and nurses who have shown “devoted care” and “admirable treatment” of their young patients.
Sonnenfeld’s life was “an inspiration and example of giving, empathy, and action for cancer patients,” the fund said in a statement, adding that the award would be accompanied by a cash prize and will be decided on the basis of recommendations from the families of children with cancer.
The winners of the first award will be decided in January and the ceremony is slated to be held in the presence of senior government officials at the President’s Residence in March.
The organizers believe that promoting warmth and a good bedside manner are conducive to healing.
Sonnenfeld was born in Brazil and made aliya at a young age. After her high school graduation she began volunteering at the oncology department at the Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva and was killed on the way to a volunteer shift.
After her death the hospital named a mobile oncology unit after her.
“Her unique personality touched the lives of dozens of patients and families, who cried out for a compassionate and caring attitude in dealing with the pain,” the fund stated.
The prize committee will be composed of leading figures from business and the military.