Treatment for cancer encapsulates more than medical interventions. The healing process includes the support of a dedicated psychosocial team, a comforting environment, and a caring community.
Recently, the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids—Mineola , Liz and Peter Menges, along with family and friends, celebrated the opening of the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation Adolescent/Young Adult Lounge, in memory of Bobby Menges.
Underwritten by the foundation, this special area of the center was created to help meet the exceptional physical, social and emotional needs of the facility’s adolescent and young adult pediatric cancer population.
Bobby was treated at the Cancer Center for Kids as a child and then again as a young adult. As a teen, he realized that he needed more than child-themed treatment areas. He wanted a place within the center tailored to peers with similar experiences: a quiet place to do schoolwork, hang out with other patients, and to simply relax.
The new lounge is such a place, featuring a dedicated space for the adolescent/young adult population, including individual pods in which to socialize or relax, and tech-centered experiences.
Throughout his treatment, Bobby inspired everyone at the center, from his participation in music and social groups to community-service initiatives. He always brought a unique perspective and explored ways to fill in gaps and make everyone feel more included.
Menges, chairman of I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, spoke eloquently about how the lounge fills a very special need for adolescent/young adult patients. “Supporting that demographic became a real passion for Bobby. He was devoted to the challenges, needs, and solutions required to serve these young people. This event represents a special opportunity to celebrate Bobby and his vision coming to life as we approach the fifth anniversary of his death.”
Menges gave shout-outs to longtime friend Charlie Schmitt, the Garden City Real Estate Group, and the center’s Director Mark Weinblatt, for “adding a new dimension to Bobby’s dream.”
Weinblatt spoke fondly of Bobby as “an extraordinary child and an extraordinary young man who was truly an inspiration to so many. The Adolescent/Young Adult Lounge has gotten rave reviews from our teenagers. We couldn’t do it without the support all of you have given us.”
For more information about the foundation, please visit https://www.imnotdoneyetfoundation.org. For more information about NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids—Mineola, please visit.https://nyulangone.org/locations/nyu-langone-cancer-center-for-kids-mineola.
