Sowing the Seeds of Better Health for Future Generations

When Beverly Hills, Calif., resident Carol Stein speaks about her late Uncle Al, a sense of pride emerges on her face when she thinks about his devotion to City of Hope (COH). The niece of longtime supporter Al Borstein, Carol has been entrusted with the execution of his estate and carrying on the family's legacy of philanthropy.

Al Borstein’s lifetime of giving led to a generous bequest to City of Hope.

Al's parents, Lena and Jacob, were the first family members to involve themselves with COH. Family lore has it that Jacob survived a bout with tuberculosis (TB) in the early part of the 20th century. After he recovered, the family started donating to institutions that aided those with TB, including COH. Al himself was a longtime member of the City of Hope Aids Chapter (later renamed Aid to Life).

Al continued the philanthropy, by contributing an exceedingly significant gift to COH. In celebration of his pledge in 2000, Al and his two sisters, Selma Sepp and Alice Ullman, gathered at the Medical Center on July 6 of that year for the dedication of the Borstein Family Conference Center in the Needleman Building. An additional gift in the form of a bequest in Al's estate funded the Jacob and Lena Borstein Lounge in the Pediatric Activity Center in Machris Three.

"I remember visiting City of Hope as a child," says Alice. "Our parents used to bring us there and explain to us the power and importance of giving to great causes."

A passionate gardener, Al's latest gift was recognized in a very fitting way. At the front of Helford Clinical Research Hospital, a bed of flowers and plants has been dedicated as the Borstein Garden.

"When we first started to think of ways to honor Uncle Al, the garden was the idea that stuck out," explains Carol. "He enjoyed tending to and showing off his own garden whenever he had the chance. Combine that with his admiration for City of Hope and you have the perfect tribute."