Husband honors wife's memory with foundation The Amy Foundation raises money to help women getmammograms BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer SOUTH BRUNSWICK - A township man who lost his wife to breast cancer has started an organization so that other people may not have to go through the intense pain that he and his family have. Arie Behar's wife, Amy, was only 49 years old when she passed away. It was just seven weeks before she and Arie would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. A few months after she died, Behar decided he wanted to help women that do not have the money to get mammograms. So, he created The Amy Foundation. "This was obviously a very devastating experience," Behar said. "I wanted to try to prevent someone else from going through what I went through. Early detection of [breast cancer] can make a huge difference in the survival of the patient. It's an issue of affordability and health care. There are 47 million people in the U.S. without health insurance and without easy access to medical care." There are about 178,000 new cases of breast cancer each year, as well as about 40,000 deaths. Amy fought for over six years after she was diagnosed with stage-two breast cancer in 2000. She began chemotherapy and took part in a clinical trial, thinking it may help others.After radiation, she went into remission for four years. However, in 2005, the cancer came back in the same breast. She fought for two more years before she passed away. Allowing women over 40 to get mammograms is the main goal of the foundation and Behar hopes to raise money in support of this cause. So far, the foundation has only put on one event: a reception at Behar's home on April 15. At least 100 to 150 people came to his house to support the cause. "It was standing room only, and Arie has a pretty big house," said Barbara Frankel of The Amy Foundation. With this reception and with other donations from the community, the foundation has already raised over $90,000. Behar is also in the process of starting a program with Saint Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick. "Saint Peter's has a philosophy of not turning away anyone," he said. "Saint Peter's will give women free mammograms with our funds." "Working with The Amy Foundation will enable women without insurance to seek preventative health care and make mammograms a part of their annual health-care routine," said Alfred Glover, president and chief executive officer of Saint Peter's. "We are pleased to partner with The Amy Foundation in furthering our mission of providing care to all those in need." Mammograms are so important because they can detect tumors at half of a centimeter or smaller, according to Dr. James C. Salwitz, managing partner of the Central Jersey Oncology Center and a member of the board of The Amy Foundation. These tumors can be too small for doctors to find during a regular physical examination. Another event is coming up on July 15, a 15-mile bike ride that will start and end at the Community Center in Woodlot Park. Behar appeared before the Township Council on May 6 so that the town could help publicize the event. Mayor Frank Gambatese expressed his gratitude over the work being done and said the bike ride will be advertised around town and on the town's Web site. How would his wife feel about the money he's raising and the foundation he has started? "She would be thrilled," Behar said. "She would be very happy that we can prevent the pain that my family and I went through and are going through. It's easier to take care of if you find it in time."