Futerman Family Donates $250,000 to Support the James P. Wilmot Cancer
Center Comprehensive Campaign
The Futerman family generously donated $250,000 to support the Wilmot Cancer Center Comprehensive Campaign. The gift honors Michael Futerman, founder of Hahn Automotive who was treated for 20 years by Wilmot hematologists.
“We spent a lot of time with my father at the Cancer Center and grew to know and cherish many of the doctors and nurses who cared for him,” says Rina Chessin, his daughter. “We were there around the clock and the staff was so wonderful to him and to all of us. It was a great connection that we made then and we want to help support the Wilmot Cancer Center’s growth and success.”
The gift was made by Futerman’s wife Sara, and their three children and spouses: Daphne Futerman and Ira Jevotovsky, Eli and Peggy Futerman, and Rina and Danny Chessin.
The family’s gift will be used to support construction of the new cancer center facility, underway at the corner of Crittenden Boulevard and East Drive. In honor of the gift, the phlebotomy suite will be named for Futerman.
“This gift will benefit dozens of people every single day, as phlebotomy is a critical part of cancer care,” says Richard I. Fisher, M.D., director of the Wilmot Cancer Center. “We are grateful to the Futerman family for their continued support of our mission.” Michael Futerman was diagnosed with polycythemia vera in 1977. This blood-borne disease, created by a stem-cell mutation, causes the body to increase production of red blood cells. This condition causes the blood to thicken and clot, which elevates the risk of stroke or heart attack.
For years hematologist Camille Abboud, M.D., treated Futerman’s condition, which included regular blood draws — similar to a blood donation — to reduce the red blood cell volume as well as chemotherapy. However, as the disease progressed to its final stage, he developed leukemia and died in 1999 at the age of 71.
“My father believed in family and community. He believed his success should help him help others less fortunate,” says Eli Futerman, who now leads the family business with his brother-in-law Danny Chessin. Eli Futerman served on the Wilmot Cancer Center Board for three years.
Michael Futerman came to the United States from Israel in 1952 and worked in Erie, Pa., for several years before relocating to Rochester. He purchased Hahn Tire in 1958 and converted it to an automotive warehouse distributor. Under his leadership for 40 years, Hahn Automotive grew from a single auto-parts store into a $150 million wholesale supplier.
He was also very involved in Rochester’s Jewish community, serving as an officer for the Jewish Community Federation, where he was also campaign director, as well as Temple Beth El, Jewish Community Center, Hillel School and The Jewish Home.
