Have you ever wanted to be a part of something bigger than yourself? Not only did senior Jara Lipman become a part of something amazing, she created it! Take a peek into the life of this simple UCF student who is a true real life celebrity to those who have the honor of knowing her.
Q: Tell us about the “Steven Jay Lipman Foundation.”
A: The Steven Jay Lipman Foundation is through the Cleveland Clinic to help fund Radiation Induced Heart Disease research and help families suffering from the disease get proper care.
Q: What made you want to create a foundation like that?
A: When I was 9, my dad was diagnosed with Radiation Induced Heart Disease, and the only people who were doing research, treatment, and working with the disease was the Cleveland Clinic. Without their help, expertise, and care my dad would have not lived nearly as long as he did. He made it 9 years after he was diagnosed and died a week after my high school graduation. This was a way for my family to help people who were not as fortunate to find the Cleveland Clinic so early on.
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Q: Did you have help from anyone?
A: My mom, my brother, and I began the foundation with the help of the Cleveland Clinic.
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Q: What have you accomplished so far?
A: We have raised a lot of money in the foundation, but we could always raise more!
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Q: Do you wish to work non-profit when you graduate?
A: Yes, non-profit is something I am passionate about and something that I feel I can do a lot of good in.
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Q: What is your ultimate goal for your foundation?
A: I hope to give at least one family more time together. I was fortunate enough to have my dad see me graduate high school and celebrate my brother’s thirteenth birthday, a lot of Radiation Induced Heart Disease patients do not get that much time.
Q: How do you plan on making sure that goal becomes a reality?
A: By asking everyone to try and donate just a little to the foundation! Any amount can, and will, help!
If you would like to donate go to https://www.clevelandclinic.org/isupport/default.aspo
Send the acknowledgement of the donation to:
The Lipman Family
9704 Triton Court
Boca Raton, FL 33434
Specify the donation is in the memory of Steven Jay Lipman.
Select “Other” when asked for the donations placement and type “Steven Jay Lipman Fund.”
Q: Where do you wish to see the “Steven Jay Lipman Foundation” in 5 years?
A: Hopefully still doing its part in research and helping families. The disease is in a very small amount of people, so all the patients are dying out and hopefully we can just save one!