GivingComfort Project 360

Comfort Project 360

Cancer has changed the lives of Hyla Weiss and Suzanne Unger in very different ways. Their unique-yet-similar connection to cancer inspired them to join forces to transform the patient experience at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Cancer Centers.

Support Comfort Project 360

Changing the Cancer Care Experience

Established in 2014, the mission of Comfort Project 360 is to complement the outstanding care provided by The Cancer Program at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center by creating supportive and healing environments in which patients and their loved ones are treated.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, family, and friends, Comfort Project 360 has raised more than $6 million to create an impact in the following ways:

Physical transformation of the radiation and medical oncology spaces include:
- New waiting areas with more comfortable seating and privacy elements.
- Private dressing areas for men and women.
- Reconfigured medical exam rooms in radiation oncology to improve patient and physician interactions.
- Updated and expanded the Ella A. Platnick Short Stay Unit.
- Thanks to the generosity of our community, 23 infusions rooms were upgraded featuring modern recliners, televisions and additional seating to offer comfort to patients and their loved ones.
- Redesigned Maxine Malina Edwards Education Room so that patients can better understand their diagnosis and learn about psychosocial services available.
- Centralized registration areas with improved check-in to provide privacy for our cancer patients.
- Renovated nurses station in radiation oncology and medical oncology to foster seamless communication between members of the nursing staff and patients.
Underwritten by The Rita and Burt Tansky Foundation and The Berson Family, inspiring calming flora and fauna artwork was designed to create a more relaxing environment.
New patient robes designed for comfort and increased coverage for a supportive feel during treatment.
New amenities to include a welcoming care package, warm blankets, comfortable hats, eye masks, and hydro flasks.
The Comfort Cart with daily volunteers to provide friendly and supportive interactions while offering snacks, water, coffee, crossword puzzles, books, and adult coloring books.

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Give Now to Comfort Project 360

Help Us Make a Difference

Each and every gift to Comfort Project 360 focuses on patient comfort and well-being. Generous donations and community support have enabled Comfort Project 360 to fund meaningful renovations and introduce important programs and amenities into Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Cancer Centers.

As we look towards the creation of the new comprehensive Cancer Center, our work continues. Comfort Project 360 will be an integral part of the new Center in caring for our community. We have ambitious plans to enhance the patient experience and need your support.

Please join Comfort Project 360’s mission of putting the patient first at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Cancer Centers. To learn more about Comfort Project 360 programs or services, please contact Breanne Sender at 973-322-4336 or breanne.sender@rwjbh.org.

Meet the Team

Hyla Weiss and Suzanne Unger

Hyla Weiss

Livingston resident, Hyla Weiss, a wife and mother is a breast cancer survivor. Hyla’s personal journey led her to co-found Comfort Project 360, an initiative to improve the experience of patients undergoing cancer care at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. Despite her positivity, Hyla found her cancer treatments emotionally taxing. She recognized the medical care she received was excellent but the experience could have been improved with some simple changes. Understanding that the physical environment is an integral part of healing, Hyla began to focus her time on creating healing spaces and developing programs that harness the power of the mind-body connection at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

Suzanne Unger

Livingston resident, Suzanne Unger’s mother and best friend, Renee Greenwald, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 48. Suzanne lost her mother to cancer six years later. Since that time, this wife and mother of two, has been involved in cancer related charities. She chaired the American Cancer Society’s Diamond Ball, all to help make a difference in the fight against cancer. Forever touched by cancer, Suzanne recognized the value of a nurturing and supportive environment in which to receive care. With the same vision, determination, and empathy, Hyla and Suzanne launched Comfort Project 360, to ease the mind and lift the spirits of cancer patients in their community.

Community Support

Comfort Project 360 serves as a beacon of inspiration in rallying community members to embrace our mission through volunteering and philanthropy. Notably, a group of exceptional young adults has emerged as catalysts for change, leading impactful food drives for the comfort cart and orchestrating the annual A Reason to Walk event every spring, embodying the essence of leadership and unity.

Comfort Cart Leaders

Comfort Cart Project Leaders

Lori Gelman
Ellen Loventhal

Comfort Cart Volunteers

Cindy Charney
Sharon Cohen
Judy Dolinko
Amy Esralew
Sharleen Friedman
Cindy Gerstein
Gail Numbark
Sharon Pogash
Susan Scheinerman
Emily Schonbraun
Lynn Schwartz
Hyla Weiss
Randi Wolfson