It’s been said that friends are the most important ingredient in the recipe of life. For George and Estelle Rosenfield, that expression had truly special meaning.

For 50 years, the Rosenfields were friends with Jerry and Bea Taft. “At least once a month, the four of us were together socially for a game of gin rummy or a meal. We were friendly with Jerry and Bea, as well as their children; it was just a real love affair,” said George Rosenfield. “We thoroughly enjoyed being with each other through all the good times.”

Unfortunately there were bad times, too, as Jerry was struck with esophageal cancer. Following the passing of their dear friend, the Rosenfields decided to do something besides mourn his death. “We made it our mission to do something to help patients with the same disease as Jerry,” George Rosenfield said.

Recently, the Rosenfields pledged $450,000 to the School of Medicine to augment their original $500,000 gift made in 1998. These two gifts, combined with a third recent gift of $52,000 to buy a Photo Dynamic Therapy laser, brought the couple’s philanthropic commitments to more than $1 million and earned them membership in the prestigious George E. Merrick Society.

The Photodynamic Therapy Program was dedicated in memory of Jerry Taft.

PDT is used for some patients being treated for esophageal and lung cancer. This non-invasive treatment uses light to treat shallow tumors in sensitive areas of the body, which are difficult to reach with conventional surgery. “Cancer often starts on the surface before it grows deep in the mouth or throat,” said Francisco Civantos, M.D., a head and neck surgeon at UM/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The advantage of PDT is, you shine the laser at the tumor and it can heal malignant cells in one shot.”

“In addition to better outcomes, the Rosenfields’ gift of a photodynanmic treatment laser allows us to treat patients here in Miami instead of having to refer them elsewhere, such as Jacksonville or Minneapolis,” Civantos added.

The couple’s generosity didn’t stop with honoring Jerry Taft’s memory. During the Taft dedication ceremonies George Rosenfield sought an additional project he and Estelle might become involved with. When informed that the gastrointestinal suite needed to be expanded, the couple pledged $450,000 to cover the construction costs. “Because of the Rosenfields’ generosity we will have the potential to double the number of patients seen, provide far greater accessibility for all of our doctors and the ability to grow the Center into the future,” noted W. Jarrard Goodwin, M.D., F.A.C.S., director of the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Breakthrough treatments and the accompanying facilities to provide expanded services do not happen without someone caring, sharing and willing that they must.

George Rosenfield said, “When I was treated for Crohn’s disease I was well cared for by Dr. Arvey Rogers and his colleagues. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to give back and honor Dr. Rogers as well as the memory of my dear friend in the process.”