Founders
Merium Ann Simone
Joseph R. Simone
Biographies
Merium Ann Simone (1951-2002)
Together with her husband Joe, Merium Ann Simone founded the International Spirit of Life Foundation to address the many disparities in cancer care and management.
Two years following the launch of ISLF, Ann was diagnosed with a rare, terminal form of liver cancer that metastasized to her lungs. Conventional cancer treatment did not work and Ann was finally selected to take part in the world’s first clinical protocol stem cell treatment for hard tumors at the National Institutes of Health. Ann used stem cells donated by her brother, James, to become the first woman in the world to receive this treatment.
Ann’s passion and dedication to the cause of fighting cancer grew stronger as she herself battled the disease. She expressed gratitude to her doctors for the privilege of participating in this new, uncertain protocol. While a positive response to the solid tumor occurred in the final stages of treatments, Ann succumbed to related causes and lost her battle.
Ann’s story and her unrelenting commitment to ending cancer serve as a constant comfort and reminder to those who remain fighting.
Joseph R. Simone
Founder and Chairman
International Spirit of Life Foundation
President
Saratoga Food Group, LLC
As Founder and Chairman of the International Spirit of Life Foundation, Joseph Simone is a dedicated humanitarian committed to the health and well being of people everywhere. Together with his late wife, Merium Ann Simone, Joe founded the International Spirit of Life Foundation out of their fierce determination to provide support to those who are leading the charge against cancer and to those whose lives have been touched by the disease.
Joe has worked in both the public and private business sectors for the past 30 years. In addition to his humanitarian efforts, he is Founder and Principal of Saratoga Food Group, LLC a restaurant development company located in Maryland and Virginia, with franchise stores of Popeye’s Chicken & Biscuits.
Joe's passion for this cause stems from being a two-time cancer survivor, the loss of his wife Ann to the disease and the struggle he witnesses as his two year old grandson Justin fights leukemia. He believes in a day when no individual or family needs to suffer from this devastating disease.
Spirit of Life Statue
As the symbol of the International Spirit of Life Foundation exemplifies, “the Spirit of Life” statue was chosen to represent its commitment to the many lives who have been affected by cancer. The statue embodies the vision, passion and courage we wish to ignite in all cancer patients, their families and caregivers.
The Spirit of Life statue was originally sculpted by Daniel Chester French and dedicated in 1915 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Each statue is hand-cast in the US Foundry exclusively for the International Spirit of Life Foundation with a certificate of authenticity provided by Chesterwood Museum in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Vice Chairman
Raj Shah
CEO and Founder
Capital Technology Information Services, Inc.
President
Howard S. Goldstein, MD
President
International Spirit of Life Foundation
Honorary Spokesperson
Marcia Strassman
Board of Delegates
The International Spirit of Life Foundation is supported by a diverse group of business professionals, clinicians and advocates in the cancer community.
Claudia Bartolini
Counselor for Press and Public Affairs
Embassy of El Salvador
William Cherkasky
Chairman Emeritus
International Franchise Association Foundation
Licy M. Do Canto
Political Advisor
Assistant Director, Health Care Financing Policy
National Association of Community Health Centers
Lawrence J. Ferrara
Practice Administrator
Schenectady Anesthesia Associates, PC
James L. Fitzpatrick
CEO/Publisher
San Diego Magazine Publishing Co.
Richard K. Goodstein, MD
Vice President Professional Alliances
Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Steven D. Jobes
President
Cort Business Services
Lawrence S. Lessin, MD, MACP
Medical Director
Washington Cancer Institute
Washington Hospital Center
Jon Luther
CEO - Allied Domecq QSR
Home of Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins & Togo's Great Sandwiches
Michael W. Panhorst
Director Of Chesterwood Museum
National Trust Historic Preservation
Claire Ford Pickart
Margaret Shannon
Realtor
Shannon Interiors
Daryl Day Stegall
Director, Corporate Communications
Innovative Skincare
Roula Talj, Beirut, Lebanon
International Consultant, Lebanon
Saifi Village
Ricardo O. Villanueva, Sr
President & CEO
AvisoS Communications
Christopher J. Williams
Executive Director
Reinsurance - Life, Accident & Health
Willis Re Inc.