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Members of Hadassah Nassau and Hadassah Suffolk are stepping it up on Long Island, New York, walking with purpose to raise money for groundbreaking stem cell research at Hadassah hospitals.
The 2026 Hadassah Walks Long Island for Stem Cell Research and Beyond, held on Sunday, May 3, raised over $460,000. With donations still coming in, the total may be on par with the nearly $490,000 raised last year.
The name of the Walk is as long as its history.
The time-honored tradition was the brainchild of Hadassah Nassau’s Ellen Domnitch 20 years ago. With Hadassah Great Neck Chapter board members gathered around her dining room table, then-chapter president Domnitch shared what makes Hadassah hospitals global leaders in stem cell research and suggested a walkathon to raise funding and awareness for this “very promising medical advancement.”
“I personally was inspired by the fact that stem cells were being tested for a multitude of medical problems,” said Domnitch. “At the time, my dear mom was experiencing many medical challenges, and I believed that the research could somehow help my mom.” Back then, as Hadassah researchers in Israel were breaking new ground, stem cell research was highly regulated in the United States.
Roz Meyerson didn’t need much convincing. “I was impressed by what she shared, and from that moment, I was in.”
The initial Nassau Stem Cell Walk — in 2006 — was a success in its own right. Taking the grassroots route, members took to the streets, going door to door to collect donations; created collection envelopes, and solicited local businesses for support. The short walk course, under a mile long around Great Neck, gathered some 100 walkers and raised $10,000.
Four years later, Meyerson assumed her current position as Hadassah Great Neck Lulav Chapter’s fundraising VP, while also taking on the task of chairing the Walk. “Each year, our attendance grew, and so did our fundraising.”
The event had promise, and Hadassah women had vision.
Viviane Kovacs, Hadassah Nassau’s new president at the time, was inspired to grow the Walk beyond Great Neck by expanding it across the region. In 2012, two walks ran on the same day — one on the North Shore and one on the South Shore of Long Island.
“In that first year, the region doubled what the chapter brought in the year before,” said Kovacs. “In the second year, the region brought in over $100,000, and since then this fabulous event has grown and now raises in the vicinity of $450,000 annually.”
“Everyone, unfortunately, is touched by or has a loved one who has suffered from either cancer, heart disease, an autoimmune disorder, MS, Parkinson’s disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), etc., and this type of research can create miracles. I believe this is the reason why Hadassah volunteers and members have rallied around the Walk year in and year out,” she continued.
Kovacs was particularly interested in the trailblazing research of Dr. Eyal Banin, director of the Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) Center for Retinal and Macular Degeneration, who was investigating the use of human embryonic stem cells to treat dry AMD. “When clinical trials proved successful, a leading pharmaceutical company agreed to collaborate in developing and commercializing this research, greatly enhancing the possibility that millions of AMD patients can benefit from this. I like to think Hadassah's Walk for stem cell research helped play a part in this breakthrough.”
Another merger three years ago brought Hadassah Suffolk into the mix, “and it has been a wonderful partnership,” said Meyerson.
Nowadays, the Walk takes place in Roslyn Harbor, with corporate and foundation sponsors aplenty. A virtual celebration with honorees was added in 2020, and many events featured a Major Gifts parlor meeting, where stem cell recipients shared their medical journeys, and a mitzvah project.
“Today, I'm so grateful that we have so many members working together to spread awareness of the many breakthroughs and success stories as a result of our amazing doctors and scientists,” said Domnitch.
Dr. Benjamin Reubinoff, director of HMO’s Sidney and Judy Swartz Stem Cell Research Center of the Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, and Dr. Dimitrios Karussis, head of HMO’s Multiple Sclerosis Center — along with colleagues including neurologist Dr. Petrou Panayiota — have been leading the way forward, not just in developing treatments that show significant benefits for patients with progressive MS, but also for ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
“I have continued chairing the Walk because of my firm belief in the importance of the research being done at the Hadassah Medical Organization. Their findings are shared with and benefit the worldwide community,” said Meyerson, who has been inspired by the MS patients she’s met who have been treated at Hadassah hospitals. She also has family and friends who’ve benefited from stem cell transplants.
This year, Kovacs, current Hadassah national treasurer, and her husband, Alan, received the Steps to Hope Award, which she says represents bringing hope through action.
“The Walk is lifechanging, as Hadassah's medical research is crucial and has advanced healthcare for all. I have had members come up to me and tell me their story of how stem cell treatment saved their life or the life of someone dear to them. For me, personally, being involved in this Walk has been lifechanging, as I am a small cog in this global universe making a difference that will have lasting implications.”
“I continue to make a meaningful donation towards this walk yearly and show up to walk regardless of the weather.”
While the Walk continues to support stem cell research, the wide range of groundbreaking research, technology and innovation at Hadassah hospitals also benefits from the event.
Tune in to our Hadassah On Call podcast to learn more about stem cells:
The Exciting Future of Stem Cells - Part 1
