Please join White Plains Hospital’s Team Purple Passion on Sunday, June 8, 2025 for the Lustgarten Walk!
Brian’s Story
Brian Ruder was leading a healthy active lifestyle when he became jaundiced in early 2021. At his physician’s recommendation, he immediately went to White Plains Hospital for further evaluation. Three days later, he received a daunting diagnosis of stage two pancreatic cancer. Thankfully, expert treatment was available at White Plains Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care. The state-of-the-art 70,000-square-foot facility brings comprehensive care capabilities all under one roof, including nearly 40 infusion bays, radiation therapy, medical and surgical oncologists’ offices as well as additional support services.
Brian was referred to Dr. Sasan Roayaie, a White Plains Hospital surgeon specializing in liver, bile duct, and pancreatic cancers. Just six days later, Dr. Roayaie performed a complex surgery known as the Whipple procedure to remove the cancer. Dr. Roayaie worked closely with Dr. Dan Costin, oncologist and Medical Director of the Center for Cancer Care, to devise a chemotherapy treatment plan. Two weeks later, Brian began 12 rounds of chemo over six months under the watchful eyes of his compassionate care team at the Cancer Center.
On July 29, 2021, Brian was pronounced cancer-free and began rebuilding his life, his weight (having lost 60 pounds) and his path forward to help support groundbreaking pancreatic cancer research to support early detection and treatment breakthroughs.
“I have spent time with the Lustgarten senior leadership team and they are a remarkable group,” says Brian. “100% of funds raised go directly to research. Their head scientist, medical officer and CEO are directing a nationwide transformation of pancreatic cancer research to accelerate the search for a cure.”
White Plains Hospital is proud to join the fight against pancreatic cancer. We offer comprehensive care, from Pancreatic Screening Program to diagnosis through treatment – all in a convenient location close to home for many of our patients. Find out more at wphospital.org/pancreatic.
Come for the walk, provide financial support or spread the word to others you know!
Our Achievements
Top 10 Team
Top 3 Team
Received 15 Donations
Raised $500
Raised $1000
Reached Goal
Thank you to our Donors
$1.02k
Connie And Craig Weatherup
$1,000
Ron And Rita Gottleib
$1,000
Evan And Tracy Segal
$520
Sandy Haber
$500
Bruce Haber
Go Brian!!!
$350
Bettye And John Perkins
$265
Steve And Sari Gross
Brian, glad to help the cause!
$265
William Null
$265
Steven Greenfield
Keep up the amazing work you have been doing!!
$265
Jill Dayan
$265
Marty And Sandi Wertkin
Sorry we wont be back from Florida for the walk. Have a great event!
$265
Mike And Sandy Howard
$265
Rob And Renee Israel
Brian-you have been inspiring me and so many for too many years to count....you are a great friend and human and I'm lucky that 100 years ago we all thought we were in transition and continue to be so in the most positive of ways!!
$265
Peter And Sarah Finn
We are very happy to support Brian and this cause.
$265
Richard Woodrow
We are so grateful you are still with us!! We love you so much
$265
Anonymous
Brian, I'm very pleased to support you and the Lustgarten research. All the best, Abby
$256
Rob And Renee Israel
$250
Harvey & Bonnie Rappaport
$250
Brian And Iris Bader
$212
Barbara Hyde Haber (messer)
$200
Irene
$200
Judith Friedman And Ron Goldstock
You go, girl!!!!
$200
Soma & Monisha Amirapu
Congratulations, Brian & Ginny. Great cause. Love M&S
$159
Marcie Sklaver
$159
Michael And Carol Prevost
Wish we could walk with you, We will be there in spirit.
$106
Jared Stone
$106
Peter And Karen Henley
Keep on truckin'!
$106
Howard Berk & Wendy Berk
Brian, Thanks for all you do to raise awareness for the formidable disease.
$106
Frank Mintern
$106
Deborah. And Ed Koch
In loving memory of Sheree Tone Cromer and Dorothy Tone
$106
Betsy And Betsy Mccormack
We support you! Tom and Betsy McCormack
$106
Suzanne Castellano
$106
Helen And Elliot Adler
With our love and support!! Helen and Elliot
$106
Annmarie Flannery
Donation in honor of my friend C.
$106
Richard Effman
On behalf of your heroics, and for all of us
$106
George Barany
In support of Brian Ruder!
$106
Judy Shapiro Steacy
Go Team Purple Passion! Beat this Pancreatic Cancer!!!
$106
Erika Santos
$106
Anonymous
$106
Susan Bannon
$106
Charlie Seton
Sending love!
$106
Judy Flamm
$106
Craig Santos
Praise God.... I love you Cousin Erika...
$106
Susan And Ed Mahler
We are so grateful for Barbara’s recovery!!
$106
Kathy And Michael Derrick
$100
Chris Nardozzi
$100
Lisa And Gary Matthews
In honor of Brian and Ginny!
$100
Roz Olman
Wishing you many many happy & healthy years to come!
$100
Steven Kantor
$80
Anonymous
$53
Ginny Ruder
$53
Peter And Diane Fish
Cheers to you Brian and Ginny and the team! Have a great event.
$53
Zivi Aviraz And Leonardo Rosenfeld
Best of health
$53
Jill Schulmann
$53
Michael And Ellen Bettmann
$53
Linda Fleischman
So grateful for your good health!!
$53
Anna Bozena Bowen
Dear Barbara, Near or far, I hold you in my heart. So grateful to know you in this life. With love, light and blessings, Anna
$53
Lara Ettenson
Yay! There with you in spirit!
$53
Ruth Steinberg And Barbara Luichinger
$53
Joann & Stan
Research funding saves lives.
$53
Susan Leffler
To honor my dearest friend with the hope that more lives may be extended.
$53
Paul Fine
$53
Fran Delasho
$27
Sandra Mattucci
I am beside YOU!!!
$27
Joyce Jacobson
$27
Rabbi Jon And Sandy Adland
$27
Michal Ruder
Go, team, go! onward in health, xo, Michal
Our Team Members
Barbara Haber (Messer)
$2,392
Fran
$53
Brian Bader
Soraia Monteiro
Lisa Rotunno
Jared Stone
$106
Juliana Stone
William Null
$265
Iris Bader
Ginny Ruder
$53
Erika Santos
$212
Susan Bannon
$106
Elizabeth Brancucci
Rich Payne
Frank Mintern
$106
