Family and friends of the late Gerry Trunz of Manhasset announced the creation of a research foundation in her memory to support ovarian cancer research, treatment and education through the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System.

Ms. Trunz, a mother of four, lost her four-year battle with ovarian cancer in February at the age of 50. "Like most women, Gerry never had any overt symptoms or indications that she was sick, which is why ovarian cancer is called the 'disease that whispers,' said her husband, Charles Trunz III, the chief administrative officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System who is spearheading the new initiative. "The one thing that Gerry felt strongly about was the need to create a program that linked clinical care with research in an effort to avoid the emotional and physical suffering Gerry experienced for over four years."

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death for American women, and three-quarters of cases are not detected until the cancer has spread beyond the ovaries. With early detection, 82 out of 100 women who die of ovarian cancer could be saved, but technologies to achieve this are not yet available.

Working with scientists at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset and doctors at the North Shore-LIJ Division of Gynecologic Oncology, the Gerry Trunz Foundation will support the development of improved genetic screening for ovarian cancer and a "fingerprint" profile to test for early detection.

"The survival rate for ovarian cancer is 90 percent if it's diagnosed in its earliest stages, but it rarely is because the symptoms are so subtle," said John Lovecchio, MD, chief of gynecologic oncology at the North Shore-LIJ Health System. "We're working to develop a sophisticated blood test, similar to the PSA test used to detect prostate cancer in men, which could identify ovarian cancer in its earliest stages."

Among the other goals of the Gerry Trunz Foundation are to integrate ongoing research with innovative treatment strategies to combat the disease, as well as to fund community outreach programs to educate women about early warning signs and symptoms. "Our obvious goal here is to save lives, but we also want to improve the quality of life for survivors and their families," said Mr. Trunz.

For more information about the Gerry Trunz Foundation or to contribute, please contact 465-2569, or write to: Gerry Trunz Foundation, c/o Kevin Dwyer, 125 Community Drive, Great Neck, NY 11021.