Prof. Rena Zaitzov passed away yesterday. Her funeral will be held tomorrow at 15:00 PM. Prof. Zaitzov began her specialization in pediatric oncology in 1959 in the USA and from that time devoted her entire life to the establishment of the pediatric oncology system in Israel.
Prof. Rena Zaitzov passed away yesterday (Tuesday, 31.5.05). About two months ago, the managements of "Klalit Health Services" and the "Schneider" Center for Pediatrics held a recognition ceremony in honor of Prof. Zaitzov - winner of the Israel Prize in Medical Research.
Her funeral will be held tomorrow (Thursday, 2.6.05) at 15:00 from Beit Rishonim in Nes Ziona, 11 Tel Aviv St. to the local cemetery.
Prof. Zaitzov began her specialization in pediatric oncology in 1959 in the USA. From that time on, she devoted her entire life to the establishment of the pediatric oncology system in Israel.
From her retirement until her death, she served as a senior consultant to the hospitals of Yerot Health Klalit in the field of oncology-hematology. In addition, she continued to work as part of the chair she held at Tel Aviv University and also led a research team in molecular medicine in the field of oncology.
Prof. Mark Mimoni, director of the Schneider Pediatrics Center, said: "We were very sorry to hear about the death of our friend, Prof. Rena Zaitsov, who was the first director of the hemato-oncology department at Schneider. Prof. Zaitzov was a world-renowned researcher in the field and was an example and role model for many after her. Prof. Zaitzov led a new trend in Israel in curing childhood cancers and achieved major achievements in saving lives. She was loved and adored by hundreds of children whom she cared for and saved their lives and by thousands of their families."
Families of patients for generations came up and shared the feeling of appreciation for their lives that they owe to her, many noted the warm and reassuring human side of Prof. Zaitsov and her dedication to her work and to every medical, mental and social problem of her patients, during all hours of the day.
The Minister of Health, Danny Neve, expressed his sorrow for her death, for her contribution to cancer research. "For all involved in the war on cancer, her death is a dark day for the health system in general and for those involved in cancer research in particular. Perhaps we will be comforted by the fact that her legacy will not be lost. We will follow its path in the struggle, until it achieves the eradication of this terrible disease," he said.
Gila Almagor, last year's Israel Prize winner, revealed: "Prof. Rena Zaitsov is God in white, who heads a team of angels in white."
