Newswise — More than 325 guests recently gathered at Eagle Oaks Country Club for Meridian Health Foundation’s inaugural BuildingHOPE Benefit to support oncology research through Meridian Cancer Care. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and attendees, proceeds from the event will offset costs so that additional oncology patients can enroll in clinical trials through Meridian Cancer Care.

“We are fortunate to have a robust oncology research program at Meridian Health,” shared Mark Krasna, M.D., corporate medical director of Meridian Cancer Care. “Support from the community enables even more patients that qualify to enroll in valuable clinical trials. This is extremely significant because when it comes to advancing cancer care, clinical trials can lead to better treatment, more accurate diagnosis and ultimately, a cure.”

Over 1,500 patients are currently enrolled in clinical trials at Meridian Health. “There are significant costs associated with running research and clinical trial programs,” shared Thomas Bauer, M.D., medical director of thoracic oncology at Meridian Health. “Financial support from donors has tremendous impact and makes it possible to expand our reach and offer even more patients the opportunity to enroll in a growing number of trials.”

The BuildingHOPE Benefit was chaired by Freeholder Serena P. DiMaso, who has a personal connection to oncology research after losing her father to cancer abruptly in 2014. “I decided to get involved with this event to help other families avoid the pain my family experienced when we lost my father shortly after diagnosis,” shared Serena. “I am thrilled that we were able to join together to raise these funds and give new hope to families that may otherwise feel defeated.” The name “BuildingHOPE” (Healing OutPatient Experience) shares its moniker with six major oncology expansion projects taking place throughout Meridian Health. With a three year investment of $128 million, the projects will build hope for residents with new facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and expanded medical expertise. To make a donation to Oncology Research through Meridian Cancer Care, visit www.MeridianHealth.com/GIVE. To learn more about Meridian Cancer Care, visit www.MeridianBuildingHOPE.com. About Meridian Health Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization in New Jersey, comprising Jersey Shore University Medical Center and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin, Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge and Perth Amboy, and Meridian Partner Companies that include home care and hospice services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, ambulatory care, ambulance services, fitness and wellness centers, and outpatient centers that allow the full continuum of health care services to be offered locally. In May 2015, Meridian Health and Hackensack University Health Network signed a definitive agreement to merge. Meridian Health has consistently been rated among the top performing health systems in NJ for clinical quality and nationally is the recipient of the John M. Eisenberg Award for Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint Commission and the National Quality Forum. Meridian is one of the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” for six consecutive years. Earlier in 2015, Great Place to Work® and Fortune recognized Meridian Health as one of the 20 Best Workplaces in Health Care in the nation and the number one Best Place to Work for Women. Meridian is recognized for patient care and nursing excellence, including being the first health system in the country to achieve Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center at all of its original hospitals. Additionally, Meridian’s mission of training the next generation of health care professionals is vital to providing a foundation for sound health in our community. In 2008, Meridian Health launched a four-year nursing program in partnership with Georgian Court University. Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine has also honored Meridian as one of the nation’s 100 Most Wired Health Systems for 16 consecutive years. Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies. For more information, visit www.MeridianHealth.com.