Pioneering Community-Based Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care & Prevention Opens in Harlem

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Thursday, 1 May 2003

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, North General Hospital, and Polo Ralph Lauren Create Innovative Partnership

Through an innovative partnership, The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention has opened its doors to provide individuals -- many of whom are medically underserved -- with access to the highest quality cancer screening and treatment services.

"We have an incredible opportunity before us. The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention brings together the unparalleled expertise of the nation's leading cancer center, an urban community hospital committed to meeting the unique needs of this community for more than 30 years, and the generous support of Polo Ralph Lauren," said Dr. Harold Freeman, medical director of the Ralph Lauren Center and a national authority on the interrelationships between race, poverty and cancer. "Collectively we can break down socioeconomic barriers to early cancer screening by creating culturally sensitive, state-of-the-art treatment and screening programs that will make a difference in the lives of people who suffer disproportionately from cancer."

African-Americans are more likely to develop and die from cancer than any other racial or ethnic group, according to the American Cancer Society. In addition, minorities often do not receive life-saving cancer screening services such as mammography and colonoscopy, that can prevent and detect cancer at an early, treatable stage. The Ralph Lauren Center will provide access to these and other important cancer care services within the Harlem community.

One of the most innovative services provided by the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention are patient navigators – a concept pioneered by Dr. Freeman. The navigators assist patients and family members to effectively access healthcare services and ensure that they are not lost in the complexities of the health care system. Patient navigators help individuals overcome obstacles ranging from financial and insurance difficulties to communication and information challenges; medical system barriers such as missed appointments; and emotional concerns.

"This pioneering project in cancer care in a neighborhood with predominantly minority populations enables us to address a problem that none of us could do alone," said Dr. Harold Varmus, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center president. "Ralph Lauren's vision and the generosity of his company, combined with Harold Freeman's commitment, expertise, and leadership is what makes this possible."

"I have been committed to the fight against cancer for more than fifteen years, and it is deeply gratifying to join with Memorial Sloan-Kettering and North General in creating a cancer center in the heart of the Harlem community," said Ralph Lauren, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Polo Ralph Lauren. "Our goal is that the Center, and the innovative services it offers, will have a positive impact on the lives of Harlem residents."

In addition to providing prevention and screening services for colon, prostate, cervical and breast cancers, the Center's cancer specialists will provide state-of-the art outpatient treatment for a wide range of cancers as well as offer services such as pain management and palliative care. The Center will offer culturally sensitive patient care, including a bilingual staff, and will conduct research to advance the understanding of the cultural factors that influence cancer care and improve health outcomes of medically underserved communities.

"We are very excited as an institution for this tremendous opportunity to work with Memorial Sloan-Kettering to bring state-of-the-art cancer care to this underserved community," said Dr. Samuel Daniel, president and CEO of North General Hospital. "The generous support of Ralph Lauren has brought our community hospital together with the world's leading institution in cancer care to reduce the disparities that exist in cancer prevention, education and mortality among the African-American and Latino populations we service."

Located in East Harlem, New York, just two blocks from North General Hospital, the beautifully designed space features a warm, friendly environment offering patients personalized attention and community outreach services. The Center's highly trained staff consists of medical oncologists, oncologic surgeons, nurses, patient navigators and social workers who are committed to ensuring that community residents receive the best possible cancer care and screening services right in their own neighborhood.

The Center, supported by a $5 million dollar leadership grant from Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, is designed to serve as a national prototype for other cancer screening and treatment programs for medically underserved populations. State Health Commissioner, Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.PH., said, "Governor Pataki and I are especially appreciative of the collaborative leadership exemplified by Memorial Sloan-Kettering, North General Hospital and Polo Ralph Lauren in this exciting new venture. The state-of-the-art Ralph Lauren Cancer Center will further ensure access to quality health care. "

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is the world's oldest and largest institution devoted to prevention, patient care, research and education in cancer. Its scientists and clinicians generate innovative approaches to better understand, diagnose and treat cancer. MSK's specialists are leaders in biomedical research and in translating the latest research to advance the standard of cancer care worldwide.

North General Hospital is a 200-bed, voluntary, community teaching hospital and Harlem's largest private employer. The state-of-the-art medical facility is New York State's only minority-operated, not-for-profit hospital and has been ranked one of New York's top ten hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. The hospital's specialties, focusing on diseases that disproportionately affect people of color, include AIDS, asthma, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories and fragrances. For over 35 years, Polo's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include "Polo", "Polo by Ralph Lauren", "Ralph Lauren Purple Label", "Polo Sport", "Ralph Lauren", "RALPH", "Lauren", "Polo Jeans Co.", "RL", "Chaps", and "Club Monaco" among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. For more information, go to www.polo.com

For more information, or to contact Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, see their website at: www.mskcc.org