The Board

Harib Ezaldein, President

Harib Ezaldein is currently a senior at Yale University majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Over the last couple of years he has traveled to over 20 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.  He also speaks French, Arabic, and is currently learning Spanish and German.  In college, he is an active member of political and social justice organizations that strive to improve the surrounding New Haven communities in areas such as health care and education.  Harib has volunteered as a math/science and SAT tutor to New Haven public school students and refugees in the area, and advocated for workers’ union rights with the Connecticut Center.  He also assumed the role of treasurer for numerous educational and cultural organizations, such as the Asian American Students’ Organizations, Muslim Students’ Association, and others.  As the president of the Biomedical Engineering Society, he has also opened many doors of opportunity for his peers by introducing them to speakers from various biotech companies and walks of life. After graduation, he intends to actively work with organizations in economic development, since he believes that charity is an endeavor that must first begin in the communities around us.  A native of Pompano Beach and a graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School, Harib has volunteered with Holy Cross Hospital, Kids in Distress, the Broward County resource center, Fort Lauderdale beach clean-ups, VISION walks, Oakland Park Library, Summer Math/Science/Reading programs at Lloyd Estates Elementary, and interned at Morgan Stanley.

Robert Stine, Vice President

Robert Stine graduated from Syracuse University and has served as a US Army Counter Intelligence Agent. He is the Executive Manager of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, winner of the Junior Chamber of Commerce  Community Service Award, professional designated “Charter Life Underwriter”  for life and health insurance, financial planner for a registered investment advisor service, and lastly Vice President of a property and casuality insurance company.  He believes that giving to others in need is a way of saying, “thank you God for what you give us!”

Sean Sturgis, Treasurer

I spent most of my life oblivious to the impact that childhood cancer had on families.  Until, my 12 year old niece was diagnosed with stage IV Burkett’s Lymphoma.  It was at this time that I became aware of the financial, emotional and psychological impact that childhood cancer could have on a family.  The financial impact is devastating.  My sister had to quit her job to spend every moment with her daughter, while she under went treatment and therapy.  There was support from the community, but not nearly as much as is needed.

Remarkably my niece made a full recovery, and at this point I knew that I needed to get involved. After personally witnessing the financial impact childhood cancer has on families, I became involved, firstly by making financial donations.  Secondly, I became involved with charity work involving direct contact and financial assistance to some of these families in need.  I am very honored and privileged to have the opportunity to be involved with these families.  The joy and satisfaction that I get from doing this type of service is immeasurable.  Also, the gratitude and happiness that I see in the faces of these children and families when they receive the assistance makes it all worth the effort.  There is no way I could stress the importance and necessity of this charity, but I am grateful to be involved.

Zulekha Shaikh, Secretary

As a little girl, I remember losing quite a few members of my mother’s family due to cancer.  Of course, as a child, I never really understood the significance of such losses, which amounted to nothing more than names and maybe some faces.  However, I realized the severity of the disease when I was in high school, as a result of the passing away of my favorite uncle.
These family tragedies due to cancer made me think about ways of recuperating the loss of loved one, and made me realize how tragic it must be for the parents whose children are suffering and going through a tough time battling cancer.

I made up my mind and promised myself to do something for the families of those who are going through hard times fighting cancer.I decided to start volunteering for several organizations, raising money by selling books online, raising money as donations to those parents who lost their jobs due to the child fighting cancer and hospital bills that keep piling and piling.  As a result, I joined the AFCC to continue my efforts to improve those families who are in dire need.