Son’s Cancer Inspired Businessman to Set Up Charity Tennis Tourney

Larry Freeman has always had a big heart for charity.

But when Freeman’s son Mark was diagnosed with cancer nearly a decade ago, it really hit home. He learned about the high cost of treatments and complications that can occur with the life-threatening disease.

After his son’s treatment had been considered a success, Freeman, chief executive officer of Freeman Cosmetic Corp., decided he had to get involved in the fight against cancer. The cosmetics mogul visited the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles and set to work on a plan.

Because of his interest in tennis, Freeman worked with his son, family members and friends to establish the Freeman Aces Cancer Tennis Tournament. With the help of co-sponsor Norman Pattiz, chairman and chief executive officer of Westwood One Cos., the tournament was an immediate hit. Since its inception five years ago, the event, held each May, has raised more than $1 million for cancer research.

“I wanted to get involved to do some good for cancer research,” said the longtime Los Angeles resident and father of two. “We wanted (the tournament) to be a celebration of life and health.”

The success of the tournament has helped pay for a seven-story addition to the cancer center. The new facility, scheduled to open next year, will house the FACTT Immunotherapy Laboratories, research labs and doctor’s offices.

USC/Norris Cancer Center “is such a positive place,” he said. “It is not just a bunch of buildings. . . . It’s a place with real people and some of the most important cancer research is being done” there.

Freeman was born in New York and moved to Los Angeles as a toddler. He graduated from Los Angeles High School and UCLA before he entered the cosmetics business.

Freeman said he always felt strongly about giving back to the community. In addition to the tennis tournament, he is involved with the Sportsman Club, Union Rescue Mission and Skin Cancer Institute. His philanthropic activities earned him a “100 Points of Light,” commendation, given for responsible corporate leadership by former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

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The Los Angeles County School Nurses Assn. recently named Santa Monica resident Katherine Dreyfuss “School Nurse of the Year.”

Dreyfuss holds a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College and a master’s in nursing from Yale University. She is assigned to Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica and also works on the preventive health education program “Health Champions” for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.

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West Los Angeles resident John Pollini has been named dean of the USC School of Fine Arts.

Pollini is a professor of classical art and archeology in the art history department. He has served as chairman of the department for two years and is an internationally recognized scholar in the study of Roman portraiture and historical reliefs.

He is also founder and president of the Classical Archeological Society of Southern California.

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Jacque Spivak has been named president of the Los Angeles chapter of Hadassah.

The prominent Westside businesswoman has held numerous positions in the organization, including president and fund-raising chairwoman.

Spivak, a longtime supporter of the organization, was installed at a luncheon June 7 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

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J. Terrence Lanni has been named chairman of the board of trustees of Loyola Marymount University.

Lanni, president and chief operating officer of Caesars World Inc., serves many community organizations in Los Angeles. He is a graduate of USC.

Others recently elected to the board include Father Joseph Appleyard, Father Robert Car, Fiorenza Falzone Courtright and Steven Hilton.

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Morris Rosen has been reappointed to the Los Angeles County West Mosquito Abatement District Board by county Supervisor Deane Dana.

Rosen, who has served on the board for more than 15 years, is also a member of the Retired Executives Assn. of the Jewish Federation and the Santa Monica Housing Commission.

He lives in Santa Monica.