MBCGA Director
Michael Landesberg is a courageous breast cancer survivor, generous philanthropist, passionate advocate, and experienced chef who lives every day by this mantra: courtesy is contagious; pay it forward. In April 2020, at the age of 46, he was diagnosed with HER 2+ (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) breast cancer, right at the onset of the isolating quarantines of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also underwent genetic testing and discovered that he carries both the BRCA2 and CHEK2 gene mutations. He knew that this put him and potentially his family at an increased risk for not only breast cancer, but ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer. After he tested positive, his sister tested and discovered that she also has the gene mutations. She was treated for Stage 0 breast cancer—the disease’s earliest stage. In the context of his advocacy, Michael stresses the importance of genetic testing, the increased risk associated with carrying one or more of the gene mutations, and how knowing this can help save lives, just like it saved his sister’s life.
After undergoing a mastectomy and chemotherapy, Michael vowed to be there for others with a similar diagnosis. He quickly became a strong advocate for male breast cancer awareness. He has appeared on Good Morning America and News 12 and has written numerous articles chronicling his breast cancer journey that have been published by the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Michael started his career in the restaurant business at the age of 14 years old, and today is a renowned chef and much-beloved personality. Since 2021, he has been the Executive Chef and General Manager of the highly-acclaimed Jackson Hall American Bar and Grill in East Islip, Long Island. His love and passion for the industry is exemplified by his creative dishes and his interaction with his customers every day. He “pays it forward” here as well—when he’s not in the kitchen, he’s out and about patronizing other restaurants across Long Island, writing reviews, and sharing his message widely on social media.
In October 2023, looking for a way to give back to the people who helped him and his family through that very difficult time, Michael launched his first annual “All Boobs Matter” fundraising event at the restaurant. Donations of items for his raffle poured in, more than 200 prizes in all, including baskets filled with fine jewelry, wine, lottery tickets, gift cards, vacations and more. He and his team of volunteers, went shoulder-to-shoulder with all the friends and family and business associates who bought tickets, packed the house, and donated generously. In the end, he raised over $26,000 in support of the two organizations who were there with their support during his breast cancer diagnosis and treatment: the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance and the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition. The MBCGA is grateful for Michael’s commitment to spreading awareness and applaud his incredible efforts and success in assisting our organization with our mission through fundraising and advocacy.