Itai Conforty

FOUNDER

My name is Itai Conforty, I am 12 years old, and I am a baseball player.

My grandfather, Dr. Jerry Z. Finklestein, was a cancer doctor who treated children living in our south bay community and the surrounding areas.

For 50 years, until his passing in December 2016, he dedicated his life to eradicating childhood cancer.

In honor of my grandfather and his legacy, I am initiating a fundraiser called  “Smack Cancer.”  I want to create a home-run derby for little league players and their families across the Palos Verdes community and beyond in order to raise funds for the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center at Memorial Care Hospital, Miller Children's and Women Hospital, Long Beach.

Robert Sinik

Board MEmber

Robert Sinik is the President of Silver Spur Little League, a role in which he combines his unique blend of sales and leadership experience to manage the Silver Spur Little League’s multi-year and multi-faceted program to community based baseball for residents on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Robert is responsible for setting the overall strategy for Silver Spur Little League, including registration, marketing, working with the local municipalities, and interfacing with the public.

Robert brings to the job a passion for providing a top quality baseball experience for the children of the Palos Verdes Peninsula area. His involvement in Little League baseball covers many years and positions from coaching, to various board positions. Robert has a Masters of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business with an emphasis in Health Sector Management. Robert’s work as president of Silver Spur has included the expansion of the league through the creation of a league for children after they graduate from Little League.

Robert resides in Rancho Palos Verdes with his wife, Erica, and three young children. 

Dr. Deborah Finklestein

Board Member

Dr. Deborah Finklestein is the daughter of Dr. Jerry Finklestein, the founding medical director of the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center at Memorial Care Hospital in Long Beach, CA.

Through her many years of volunteering for the Cancer Center, she has witnessed the remarkable work her physician father and his dedicated team of caregivers did on behalf of children with blood diseases and cancer.

Deborah is honored to share her experience and to support her son, Itai's "Smack Cancer" initiative to help fund the important work the cancer center is continuing to do on behalf of sick children and their families.

We dedicate this website and effort to the memory of Dr. Jerry Z. Finklestein, who for 50 years until his passing in December 2016, was on the forefront of the battle against childhood cancers.  Dr. Finklestein, we salute your devotion and commitment to helping thousands of sick children and their families "climb the mountain" of fighting cancer. We are honored to support your efforts and those of your dedicated staff and to ensure that your legacy and the difference you have made will be alive for many years to come.

We also dedicate this website to Marilyn Finklestein, who was a driving force beside Jerry. She, too, has touched thousand of children through the years with her love and dedication.

Thank you :-)