"Fighting cancer as a child is incredibly challenging and can have lasting effects on a patient's life beyond their actual cancer diagnosis," said Randi Goldman, MD, program director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship at Northwell Health. "With this ovarian tissue freezing procedure, we can help preserve the possibility of a more normal future for these children. While there are many wonderful paths to parenthood, having a biological child is a profound experience that many people hope for, and I'm honored we can play a role in making that dream a reality."

The removal of the ovary, known as an oophorectomy, is done laparoscopically, which leads to minimal scarring, a fast recovery and minimal time in the hospital. Northwell has already begun performing the procedure on patients, many of whom do not even have to stay in the hospital overnight. The procedure normally takes less than an hour.

Because Northwell has the only facility on Long Island capable of properly freezing and storing ovaries, it is also accepting tissue from patients at other hospitals across the metropolitan area.

Some of the procedures Northwell is performing are funded through a generous grant from the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit. I’m Not Done Yet was founded in 2017 by the family of Bobby Menges of Garden City, who died of cancer in 2017 at the age of 19. Bobby faced his initial cancer diagnosis at age 5, relapsed at 10, and received his final diagnosis at 18.

The mission of I’m Not Done Yet is to support young cancer patients and survivors who are facing their illnesses at particularly vulnerable life stages: becoming independent, going away to college, starting families and careers, etc. Bobby noticed those gaps in care during the final months of his life, and I’m Not Done Yet is determined to continue his legacy by funding cancer research, fertility services, peer-to-peer support and connection, adventure experiences, appropriate treatment spaces, and by participating in cancer advocacy and education.

"The loss of his fertility was especially painful for Bobby, and, thanks to the generosity of our donors and the collaborations with institutions like Northwell Health, I’m Not Done Yet is delighted to help offer other young cancer patients hope of one day having families of their own,” said Lizzy Menges, Bobby’s mother and co-founder and executive director of I’m Not Done Yet. “What the physicians at Northwell Health are providing for young cancer patients cannot be overstated; it’s truly remarkable."