New Jersey natives Marilyn and Monroe Markovitz “want to leave some evidence that we were here on this earth,” Monroe Markovitz said.

To achieve that goal, the family is establishing the Marilyn & Monroe Markovitz Child Life Specialist, a permanent position at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a RWJBarnabas Health center, where Marilyn Markovitz was born 87 years ago.

The Markovitzes are gifting $1.8 million to ensure that The Valerie Fund children will always have the guidance of a child life specialist to accompany them throughout their medical journeys, to offer education about their illness and treatment, and to support them during difficult procedures, according to a statement from The Valerie Fund.

“I feel strongly that when people have enough, they should want to give back,” Marilyn Markovitz said in the statement. “This is a philosophy that was transmitted to us, which our sons also absorbed. We are in a very fortunate position to be able to give back. I would even go so far as to say it is mandatory.”

The Markovitzes raised their four sons in Hillside, and Monroe Markovitz ran a real estate business in Union. After the sale of the family business, their sons created a legacy at The Valerie Fund – which was founded by Sue and Ed Goldstein, who lost their 9-year-old daughter to cancer in 1976 – and supports comprehensive health care for children battling cancer and blood disorders.

The first person to hold the position of Marilyn and Monroe Markovitz Child Life Specialist is child life specialist Jillian Hinko, who has been at The Valerie Fund Children’s Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center for over a decade.

Barry Kirschner, executive director of The Valerie Fund, said in the statement, “What a wonderful experience to meet such a generous family from our local community who wanted to understand our kids needs and then permanently support a specific program with their philanthropy. We could not be prouder.”