Support Connie's Legacy at Maimonides Cancer Center

Honor the Memory and Legacy of Concetta (Connie) Moroni: Contribute to a Living Memorial

We are reaching out to you with a heartfelt request to help us honor the memory of our beloved Concetta (Connie) Moroni by contributing to the creation of a Dedication Plaque at Maimonides Cancer Center. This plaque will be placed beside the beautiful aquarium in the lobby outside her doctor’s office on the second floor at 6300 8th Avenue in Brooklyn—a place that brought my mother so much peace and joy over the past 15 years.

Every time we visited the center, we would stop by the aquarium, and be captivated by the vibrant, colorful sea life. Beyond its beauty, the aquarium offers a moment of tranquility, not just for my mother but also for the children in the pediatric oncology suite who delighted in watching the fish swim by. Connie had a deep love for nature—she cherished music, flowers, plants, animals, the ocean, and even walks in the rain. She was a natural beauty who enjoyed the beauty of nature. The plaque would be a fitting tribute to her.

Connie was a 15-year cancer survivor who found comfort in the extraordinary care provided by the compassionate and professional doctors at Maimonides Cancer Center. From the moment she walked in, she was always welcomed with warmth and big smiles, making her feel truly cared for.

The Maimonides Cancer Center, founded in 2009 by Dr. Borgen, has always stood out as a place of healing. When my parents and I attended its dedication ceremony, we immediately felt at ease. as this was not a typical "clinical building". The Center’s design, with its lush plants, flowers, large windows, soothing artwork, calming colors, serenity garden, and magnificent aquariums, created an environment that made even the most challenging days a little brighter for my mother.

We invite you to donate in Connie’s memory so that she can be honored in a place that meant so much to her. Your contributions will fund the creation and installation of the plaque. Additionally, we hope to enhance the aquarium itself—whether through maintenance, decor, or additional fish—ensuring that future patients at the Cancer Center can find the same comfort and joy that my mother did.

This GoFundMe is in its early stages, and with the passionate support of Jelena Rudela, AVP of Development, we are working with vendors to bring this living memorial to life. It’s a work in progress that will take time, but with your help, we can make it a reality. Any amount will help. If you would rather send a check, please make it payable to "Maimonides Breast Cancer Center" and mail it to me (contact me for my address).

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who can contribute. We also want to thank the incredible staff at Maimonides who have given us the green light to honor my mother in this unique way: Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chair of Surgery and Director of The Breast Cancer Program; Dr. Ina Ratner, my mother’s brilliant and compassionate doctor; and especially Douglas Jablon, EVP of Community Relations and Special Assistant to the President at Maimonides Health, whom we love dearly and consider part of our family.

Connie was more than a survivor—she was a fighter, a lover of the arts, a wonderful mother, a loyal friend, and a kind, compassionate woman with a great sense of humor. My father, John Moroni, was deeply involved in the Maimonides community, participating in fundraisers, blood drives, and charity events. My siblings, John and Carol, and I were all born at Maimonides Medical Center, making this dedication even more meaningful.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us keep Connie’s legacy alive.

(Pictured above: Connie in 2009 after her final radiation treatment).