The Paul R. Nardoni Foundation

Tile Paul created at Univ. of Pa. Oncology Art Program

New Paul R. Nardoni Oncology Unit ("Paul's Place") To Promote "Seize the Day" Theme at Somerset Medical Center Opened for Patients on April 5, 2005

The Nardoni Family officially opens the Paul R. Nardoni Pavillion with a ribbon cutting.

The hospital rooms at the new Pavillion include sleeper couches, internet access, hotel-style decor and tropical art work -- all for the comfort of the patient.

A dedication plaque at the Pavillion showing pictures of Paul.

The PRN Foundation Board opens the Paul R. Nardoni Pavillion with a ribbon cutting.

PRESS RELEASE

Paul Nardoni exemplified strength and spirit, even during his difficult five-year battle with Hodgkin’s disease that ultimately took his life in April 2001 at age 32. Acutely aware of the feelings and needs of others, Paul noticed over the course of his many hospitalizations that the families of cancer patients, including his own, lacked comfortable overnight accommodations near their loved ones. They also had no diversions to pass the arduous hours spent in the hospital. His wish to enhance the comfort of both cancer patients and their families would eventually become the mission of the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation of Whitehouse Station, which combined with gifts from several close friends of the Foundation, recently contributed $500,000 to Somerset Medical Center’s $20 million “Breaking New Ground” capital campaign. The gift will name the Paul R. Nardoni Oncology Unit, also known as “Paul’s Place”, in a new inpatient pavilion. The unit, located above the new emergency department, will feature 25 hotel-caliber patient rooms, each with full bathrooms and sleeper sofas, and is expected to open in early 2005.

“The funds and programs provided by the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation have a direct and immediate impact on patients,” said Paul’s mother Roseann Nardoni of Whitehouse Station, Foundation President and Chairperson, who along with Paul’s father Ren, wife Ellen and sister Renee, established the Foundation shortly after his death. The Foundation Board also includes many friends and other family members close to Paul. “We chose Somerset Medical Center to fulfill our philanthropic efforts because we felt they best exemplified the commitment our Foundation has to cancer patients and their families,” said Ellen Nardoni of Flemington. For “Paul’s Place”, Foundation Board members met with the project’s architect and interior decorator, who incorporated their suggestions in the design of the new inpatient unit. In addition to making the Internet accessible at each bedside, for example, they also have applied a central theme to the hallways and patient rooms with verbiage that epitomizes the way Paul lived his life: Carpe Diem (“Seize the Day”). Photographs of Paul and the story of his valiant struggle will adorn the walls as well, so that patients, families and visitors can learn about the special person behind the unit’s name.

“Everything patients and families would want has been included on this in-patient unit,” said Victoria Tourville of Whitehouse Station, a Nardoni Foundation Board member. “The medical center listened very closely to our wishes and made every effort to accommodate even the little things we wanted for patients and their families. We’re very proud of our association with Somerset Medical Center, and thrilled with this unique partnership.” “We are extremely grateful to the Nardoni Foundation for their significant contribution to our capital campaign,” remarked Steve Kalafer of Annandale, a prominent New Jersey businessman and community leader who serves as Honorary Campaign Chairman and who is also a Nardoni Foundation Board member. “Their commitment to the comfort and aid of cancer patients and their families is unparalleled in our area.” A professional chef who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and went on to manage the kitchens of some of the finest restaurants in California and Hawaii as well as the Wind Star cruise ship, Paul Nardoni was forced to put aside his apron when he was diagnosed in 1996. He returned to New Jersey seemingly undaunted by the health challenge before him, taking sales positions with the Somerset Patriots and then a Honda dealership, all the while undergoing a menu of treatments that included chemotherapy, immunotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

“Paul never gave up and he made sure that we never did either. His message was living, not dying,” said Roseann Nardoni. “He would have loved this new unit, and the fact that there’s a flat-screen TV in every room. But the best thing about making this gift is that it fulfills Paul’s wish.” Based in Whitehouse Station, the Nardoni Foundation began by purchasing movies and aerobeds for a local hospital. Since then, it has awarded grants every fall to numerous health care institutions that have greatly improved the inpatient experience for cancer patients and their families. At Somerset Medical Center, an $11,500 donation in 2003 created a special needs fund for medication, wigs and prosthetics, and enabled the acquisition of a computer and printer, mini refrigerator, DVD/VCR player, air mattresses, lounge furniture and assorted puzzles, games, craft supplies, books, CDs, DVDs and videocassettes. The Nardoni Foundation’s success has been made possible by the time, passion and contributions of many people.