A love of NJ Prompted Bequest

As a resident of New Jersey for most of her 87 years, Irene Mokrzycki, whose family was plagued with a variety of illnesses, wanted to make a difference for others in New Jersey suffering with a range of diseases.

That's why, through her will, she designated almost all of her estate be used to benefit those working in the medical profession in New Jersey. It seemed fitting then, that the executor of her estate, Robert J. Lecky, awarded $50,000 from Mrs. Mokrzycki's holdings to the Foundation of UMDNJ for Dr. John Kostis, professor and chair in the Department of Medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, so that he could further his research to help those who have suffered heart attacks.

"Because my aunt felt so strongly about helping others in New Jersey we knew we were following her wishes by dividing her assets among healthcare organizations within the state," said Anne Leake. "When Dr. Charles Brandwein directed us to Dr. Kostis' research at the CardioVascular Institute of New Jersey it was a perfect opportunity to fulfill her wishes."

Dr. Kostis studies adults who have had heart attacks after they intravenously receive cultured adult human stem cells to see if these cells improve their heart function.

"We are very grateful to Mr. Lecky and Mrs. Mokrzycki for this generous bequest," said Dr. Kostis. "This gift will be instrumental in helping us to move our study forward."