David and Alice Jurist are deeply committed to making a difference and mentoring families who have a cancer diagnosis whether it be a mother, father or child. They recently established The Eileen Fund, a 501c(3), to support research into precision therapies that directly target the underlying causes of cancer, in order to cure it the first time and prevent its return in any form.

Alice and David know firsthand how painfully difficult it is when your child receives a cancer diagnosis.

In 1984, their daughter Eileen was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease.  Alice and David were by Eileen’s side as she battled and survived this awful disease. As the parents of seven children, they experienced how difficult a cancer diagnosis is for the entire family.

They found coping resources to be sorely lacking. David and Alice wanted to make sure children and their families would get the support they deserved. They made it their mission to improve outcomes and the patient and family experience.

The Jurists teamed up with a group of parents committed to help their children and others like them with cancer and serious blood disorders through the Tomorrows Children’s Fund (TCF). Alice and David served as members of the executive board. David was the co-president of TCF for more than 30 years.

Through the years, the Jurists raised tens of millions of dollars, with the incredible support of Don and Deirdre Imus, for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Among the Jurists’ greatest contributions was an annual, one-of-a-kind summer picnic at their home in New Jersey. More than 1,000 parents and children attended every year. They enjoyed rides, games, entertainment and great food. Families looked forward to this extraordinary event which provided much needed, life-affirming joy, laughter and smiles.

For nearly four decades, David and Alice devoted an enormous amount of time and resources to Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH). David has served on numerous boards, including the HMH Board of Governors, the Advisory Board and Hackensack University Medical Center. Alice and David supported the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology and the CJ Foundation for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, just to name a few of the charitable organizations they helped throughout the years.

A noteworthy accomplishment was the establishment of the David and Alice Jurist Institute for Research at Hackensack University Medical Center. This extraordinary facility is dedicated to clinical studies and research, giving cancer patients unparalleled access to medicine’s most promising breakthroughs and treatments.

Their daughter Eileen battled cancer more than once during her lifetime. Her final battle took place in 2016 when she lost her life to this insidious disease.

David and Alice continue to fight the battle against cancer in honor of Eileen. They have an unwavering commitment to create a better future through improved treatments and cures for our loved ones, our children and our friends. They will never give up until cancer is a thing of the past.

David and Alice have lived their lives both personally and professionally in sync with one another. Together, they ran Tanagraphics, a prestigious New York printing and graphics communications company, serving the needs of a broad range of Fortune 100 companies. Alice is the founder and CEO of The Willows Communications, a full-service design and communications company.

Despite all of their remarkable accomplishments, the Jurists remain steadfast in their commitment to children and adults and their families who are battling cancer and other diseases. Their numerous awards and accolades are testimony to the extraordinary work they have done and will continue to do through The Eileen Fund.