UPSTATE CANCER CENTER
NEWS WINTER
2014
Psychiatrist/breast cancer survivor cares for cancer patients One of the first things psychiatrist Aliya Hafeez, MD tells her patients is that she began specializing in psychiatry services for people with cancer because she is a breast cancer survivor, herself. “I feel like it’s an additional degree that I’ve gotten,” she says of her health ordeal, which began with a diagnosis in November 2009. She went through chemotherapy, radiation and surgery at Upstate’s Regional Oncology Center. “Now I get to work with all of the doctors who treated me.”
Aliya Hafeez, MD in Upstate’s newly renovated Harrison Specialty Center. She sees cancer patients with psychological needs there until the Cancer Center opens in 2014.
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Foundation: Last call to have your name on donor recognition walls Central New Yorkers over the past four years have watched the Upstate Cancer Center grow from a giant hole in the ground into a glimmering five-story building full of hope. Construction is on schedule for a grand opening in June. The Foundation for Upstate Medical University has raised gifts and pledges totaling more than $14.9 million from the Central New York community – 99.5 percent of the
$15 million goal in the “Give Hope a New Home” capital campaign. This includes contributions of more than $4 million from Upstate faculty and staff, Upstate Advocates and Foundation board members.
The Upstate Family Tree of Hope will recognize employees, volunteers, retirees and students giving $300 and up. And the Upstate Faculty Wall of Honor will recognize faculty gifts of $1,500 and up.
One of the most meaningful features of the Upstate Cancer Center will be the donor honor walls, which will permanently recognize those who helped make the center a reality. They will be located in the main lobby and connecting corridor and, just like the Founding Donor and Faculty Walls of Honor (11th floor) and Employee Donor Wall of Honor (12th floor) of the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, these honor walls will permanently recognize donor support of the Upstate Cancer Center.
The unique recognition system, designed by Upstate Cancer Center architects Ewing Cole, will be fabricated locally by Signage Systems and feature the inspirational imagery of John Francis McCarthy of Finger Lakes Photography in Skaneateles.
The Founding Donor Wall of Honor will recognize donors giving $5,000 and up.
Is your name included? Names will not be added after the grand opening. If you have already made a gift, thank you. If you would like to be a part of this landmark campaign, there is still time. For more information, please contact the Foundation office at 315-464-4416. ■
Cancer Center construction, Nov. 2013
Syracuse New York
Welcome From the Medical Director: Compassionate care for patients and providers Dr. Daniel Burdick practiced cancer surgery in Central New York for more than 40 years. He had great concern about the overall welfare of his patients, their need for emotional and social support, and foresight in recognizing the emotional toll of serious illness on care providers. In 1987, he wrote: “It is often helpful to share personal feelings and experiences with other professionals. This will enable the physician to understand that other physicians are facing the same daily struggles. In addition, it is usually helpful for all professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers and others) to share feelings and emotional problems experienced in caring for cancer patients.” After his death in 2012, Burdick’s family wanted to honor this aspect of his philosophy and practice. They were familiar with a program called Schwartz Center Rounds, based in Boston, which focuses on the human dimension of health care. They offered a donation in their father’s memory to allow Upstate to join more than 320 health care facilities in 39 states that regularly present these rounds. The first Schwartz Center Rounds at Upstate was held in October 2013. The discussion
centered on a leukemia patient with many medical and nonmedical problems. The Rev. Terry Culbertson, director of spiritual care, facilitated the rounds. Panelists were nurse Elaine Bernard, clinical case Leslie J. Kohman MD manager for oncology; Aliya Hafeez, MD, psycho-oncologist for the Upstate Cancer Center (see pg. 1); and nurse practitioner Kathy Romano, from the bone marrow transplant unit. Attendance was excellent, and the discussion was personal and meaningful, with sharing by doctors, nurses, social workers, technicians and interns. Comments afterward were uniformly positive and moving. The Upstate Cancer Center is proud to honor Dr. Burdick, and to enable Upstate to bring Schwartz Center Compassionate Rounds to Upstate. The rounds will continue six times per year for Upstate employees. Leslie J. Kohman, MD Medical Director Upstate Cancer Center
From the Associate Administrator: Construction Update As you can see from the photos on the cover and below, construction on the new Upstate Cancer Center is progressing extremely well. Much of the brick, siding and Richard J. Kilburg MBA glass on the exterior of the building is complete. Although there is still some finish work to be done on the exterior, we can begin to get a true sense of the personality of this new facility. The building is now totally enclosed allowing for the interior work to continue as the snow flies. On the interior, much of the studding is complete and many of the areas have drywall in place. All of the rooms are beginning to take shape. There has been excellent progress made on the Vero and TrueBeam linear accelerator vaults, pediatric and adult infusion areas, and multidisciplinary space. This internal work will continue through the winter months, right through to the end of the project. We expect that the Upstate Cancer Center will be open for patient care by July 2014. With one of every two men and one of every three women being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes and projections for a 30 percent increase in cancer incidence over the next 10 years, this community needs the Upstate Cancer Center and all of the unique, state-of-the-art patient services it will provide. Richard J. Kilburg, MBA Associate Administrator Upstate Cancer Center Newsletter Staff: Leslie Kohman, MD, Medical Director Richard Kilburg, MBA, Associate Administrator Jeanmarie Glasser, FACHE, Assistant Director Linda Veit, Project Manager, 315-464-6303, veitl@upstate.edu Heidi Chapman, Staff Assistant, 315-464-6065, chapmanh@upstate.edu
The hospital reflected in the glass exterior of the Upstate Cancer Center, now under construction.
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Upstate Medical University Marketing and University Communications, Design and Editorial Support, 315-464-4836
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F o un d at ion f or Up s tat e
Toddler inspires gifts years after her death Clara Condie passed away in 2003 after a brief battle with leukemia when she was 2 years old. Clara’s parents, Bruce and Kristin Condie, who are from the Adirondacks and now live in Binghamton, wanted to give back to Upstate for providing the care their daughter received. They first hosted several events with proceeds going to support the building of the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, which includes a room named in their daughter’s memory. They continued fundraising, always in honor of their daughter and always to help others with cancer. The money they raised went to families in need of support. When approached by Toni Gary at the Foundation for Upstate about the campaign to build the new Cancer Center, the Condies readily agreed to again be a part of a community-wide resource that will touch so many lives.
Your kids can help build the cancer center! The Foundation for Upstate has a unique community program that involves many schools. With a small donation, students can help support the building of the Upstate Cancer Center and know their contribution will help children with cancer in their own community. For more information contact Toni Gary at garyt@upstate.edu or at 315-464-4264.■
The couple started hosting walks in 2009 with proceeds supporting the Upstate Cancer Center. The first was at Moss Lake in the Adirondacks, and several have been at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton.
Clara’s sisters, Arianna and Marta along with cousin Shelby and friends
More than 120 walkers have Mallory and Sydney start off the 2013 Walk for Clara Bug. supported their quest. Along with the walks, many friends and family members continue to do their own fundraising in support of pediatric cancer care and research.
“For such a short life, Clara touched a lot of hearts,” Kristin Condie said of her daughter. “She was the kind of kid that people would stop and watch. She’d leave everyone with a smile.” Over the years, the Condies had many loyal contributors. Many families, instead of receiving birthday gifts, collect donations for the Upstate Cancer Center. And, some elementary students are selling bracelets to help the cause. Condie said, “Those small gestures bring tears to my eyes but help heal the hole in my heart. Kids helping other kids ... It’s beautiful.” ■
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The 2nd annual Ovarian Cancer Awareness Fundraiser, hosted by Licatese Chiropractic, raised more than $6,000 to support the Christine Schoeck Blakely Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at Upstate. The Oswego practice offered chiropractic services and a chair massage for a $20 donation. Proceeds included tips and a portion of food sales donated by GS Steamers Bar & Grill. The fund honors Christine Schoeck Blakely of LaFayette, who lost her battle with the disease in 2011 at age 38. Pictured is Dr. Anthony Licatese (left) and Edward Blakely, Christine’s husband. ■
Skaneateles Jewelry helps to provide a distraction to cancer patients
Upstate's Vincent Frechette, MD and wife, Didi, presented a check for $24,500 from their 2013 Lukie’s Holes Fore Hope Golf Tournament, held July 20 at Woodcrest Golf Club in Manlius. The tournament supports the Lukie Frechette School Room at Upstate. The tournament is held in memory of their son, Lukie, who died in 2002 at the age of 4. ■
Charlie Davis of Skaneateles Jewelry reached out to the Upstate Foundation with a unique idea. He would donate four luxury seats to various Syracuse University basketball games during the 2013-2014 season. The donated seats are courtside in the Skaneateles Diamond suite. These seats offer couches and recliners and are easily accessible for all people. Because of the generosity of Davis and Skaneateles Jewelry, several patients and their families have been given the opportunity to attend a game. Davis has a loved one who is currently battling cancer. He noted that seeing his loved one cheer on the Orange brightened his and his family’s day. He wanted to share that with other people who are going through cancer treatment. Nurses from the Regional Oncology Center provided names of patients who would enjoy this experience. ■ After her diagnosis and treatment for thyroid cancer, Sheila Dion (center) of Phoenix organized Project Butterfly, a thyroid cancer awareness evening for family and friends. Guests were asked to bring a scarf to be donated to thyroid cancer patients. Dion plans to continue Project Butterfly and make an annual donation of scarves during Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month in October. She presented more than 60 scarves to Kara KortGlowaki, MD (left) and Lisa Cico, NP (right) of Upstate’s Thyroid Cancer Program.
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Hannah Springer and her mother, Donna, of Saint Johnsville organized the Hector Open golf tournament to raise money for musculoskeletal cancer research conducted by Timothy Damron, MD, the David G. Murray Endowed Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Upstate. Damron identifies problems his patients are experiencing, then works with a team of highly skilled scientists to find solutions to the problems. “Hector” is the nickname of Hannah’s uncle who died of a rare form of bone cancer at age 36. Damron was his doctor. ■
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P S Y C H I AT R I S T / S U RV I V O R –
Scott Albert, MD
Paul Aridgides MD
Prashant Upadhyaya, MD
New physicians and employees
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Her office is at the same location many cancer patients come to see their physicians. “Psychologically, it makes a huge difference if they get to see me where they come for their other care,” she says. “I really want to make them feel like my care is part of their cancer treatment.” She is kitty-corner from the hospital, at 550 Harrison St., in the Patricia J. Numann Center for Breast, Endocrine & Plastic Surgery. Reach her by calling 315-464-6275.
Surgical oncologist Scott Albert, MD is now part of the Department of Surgery, seeing patients in the Patricia J. Numann Center for Breast, Endocrine & Plastic Surgery. He completed a fellowship at Ohio State University College of Medicine after his residency at Upstate. Paul Aridgides, MD has joined the Department of Radiation Oncology and will see patients at Upstate University Hospital and Oswego County Radiation Oncology. He is a graduate of Upstate’s College of Medicine, and after an internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City he finished residency training at Upstate, where he served as chief resident. Aridgides recently completed a pediatric radiation oncology fellowship program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A new plastic surgeon has joined the Regional Oncology Center’s breast cancer program. Prashant Upadhyaya, MD completed a residency at Creighton University in Omaha and a fellowship at the University of Minnesota before coming to Syracuse. He will see patients in the Patricia J. Numann Center for Breast, Endocrine & Plastic Surgery.
Hafeez joined the Upstate staff a couple years ago, after completing her psychiatry residency in 2007 at Upstate. She obtained her medical degree from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Pakistan. She offers individual psychotherapy and medication management and hopes to add a stress reduction group and other support groups after the Upstate Cancer Center opens.
Also new to the staff are Robin Townsend, assistant to the chair, Department of Radiation Oncology and Patricia Duffy, RN, breast care navigator. ■
Survival rates for cancer are improving, though the disease still has a negative association with death. Hafeez wants to step away from the gloom and doom and focus more on living the best life possible. Her personal experience with breast cancer left her feeling fortunate. She was able to take time off work, and family members took care of her throughout chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Her sister or brother would accompany her to medical appointments. “Mom and Dad stayed home and prayed.” Cancer is something we cannot control, but Hafeez says her experience taught her that “you can control how you are going through that experience with cancer,” and she hopes to share that with her patients. ■
The team and the coach A series of TV ads star Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim and the Prashant Upadhyaya MD prostate cancer team, led by Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, Chair of Urology. ■
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Award-winning C are Accreditation rewards workplace wellness efforts Upstate was praised for leading by example when it was awarded the CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation in September. The accreditation recognizes workplace wellness initiatives that encourage healthier behavior to reduce the risk of cancer for employees and covered family members. The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a nonprofit organization of CEOs that former President George H.W. Bush founded in 2001, created the CEO Cancer Gold Standard in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, many of its designated cancer centers, and leading nonprofit, health organizations. The Gold Standard calls for companies to evaluate their health benefits and corporate culture and take “extensive, concrete actions” in five key areas to reduce the risk of cancer in the workplace. They include: • establishing programs to reduce cancer risk by discouraging tobacco use, • encouraging physical activity, • promoting healthy diet and nutrition,
Upstate has developed numerous initiatives to demonstrate its commitment to building a healthy workplace, especially as it relates to cancer. In 2005, Upstate became the first of 64 SUNY campuses to be completely smoke-free. Upstate is currently building a $75 million cancer center that will house the academic medical center’s ambulatory cancer care and be home to a full range of advanced cancer services and treatments. Upstate records more than 112,000 patient visits annually for cancer treatment services. Upstate is the region’s largest employer with nearly 9,000 employees and serves 1.8 million people in New York state — from Canada to Pennsylvania — with its educational, clinical, and research missions.
• detecting cancer at its earliest stages, and • providing access to quality care, including participation in clinical trials.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Quality care addresses both physical, emotional needs At the Upstate Cancer Center we use “distress” to describe unpleasant feelings or emotions that patients may experience that cause problems as they cope with cancer and its treatment. Sometimes distress can interfere with a patient’s treatment. It can make coping with illness difficult, and it can affect all parts of a patient’s life. Sometimes it is hard for patients to talk about their distress, so at the Regional Oncology Center and in Radiation Oncology we are using a tool, very much like the pain scale, to screen patients for distress. Patients are asked to rate their distress on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 indicating no distress and 10 being the highest level of distress imaginable. Many different things can cause distress. Distress can arise from financial, housing, child-care, or transportation challenges. It can come from family problems, spiritual or religious concerns, or
By Bonnie Chapman
emotional problems like worry, fears, sadness, depression, or nervousness. Additionally, physical problems such as pain, nausea, fatigue, indigestion, diarrhea, dry itchy skin, appearance, or sexual issues can be sources of distress. If a patient expresses a high level of distress and the health care provider determines that the distress is primarily caused by nonclinical factors, the provider may refer the patient to a social worker. Social workers can help with practical, family, and emotional issues. The distress screening is a new initiative that will be fully implemented by January 2014 in the Regional Oncology Center and in Radiation Oncology. High quality cancer care encompasses both the physical management of cancer and the emotional health and well being of the patient. ■
—Bonnie Chapman is the Upstate Cancer Center’s Director of Quality.
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Award-Winning C are Upstate offers screening that will help improve lung cancer survival rates By Linda Veit
Lung cancer is so deadly partly because people notice symptoms after the disease has already spread. During the time when the disease is treatable, people usually have no idea they have cancer growing in their lungs. About 160,000 Americans will die from lung cancer this year – more than will die from breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. The current five-year survival rate is just 16 percent. An advocacy group called the National Lung Cancer Partnership wants to double the five-year survival rate by 2022. Lung cancer screening, especially aimed at people with a high risk of developing lung cancer, will help boost that rate. The Upstate Cancer Center offers a screening program that screened more than 80 people in its first year of operation. It is designed for individuals between ages 55 and 79 who are current or past smokers with a heavy smoking history (a pack a day for 30 years). Upstate’s Lung Cancer Screening Program meets the standards for a Screening Site of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance and provides a complete, comprehensive approach to lung screening including ongoing smoking cessation counseling for current smokers. You are at high-risk for lung cancer if you are: 55 to 79 years of age, currently smoking at least a pack per day and have done so for 30 years or more, or a past smoker who has quit within 15 years. Make the decision to get screened for lung cancer with our low-dose chest CT scan program at Upstate University Hospital. For $235 you can take control of your health. Call the Program Coordinator, Linda Veit, at 315-464-6303 for more information or call Upstate Connect to schedule your scan at 315/800-464-8668. ■
—Linda Veit is a project manager at the Upstate Cancer Center
A patient’s perspective By Angela Rawlins
“I began smoking in my early teens. I quit five months after my husband, Gary – also a smoker — passed away at a young age from lung cancer. I was devastated. My husband wasn’t diagnosed until his cancer was stage IV and he was gone six weeks after diagnosis.
PATIENT SATISFACTION
Having the low-dose lung CT was always in the back of my mind.
Employees praised in surveys:
I made an appointment for the lung cancer screening at Upstate. It took 15 minutes. The staff was wonderful. My scan came back negative, and gave a baseline for future scans. It was the best way for me to spend $235 to take care of me and my family!”
Sam Benjamin, MD Jeffrey Bogart, MD Lisa Bowers Patricia Brady, NP Lisa Cico, NP Jackie Connolly, RN Ajeet Gajra, MD Felicia Hayes Meaghan Kazmirski Haider Khadim, MBBS Mary Kilpatrick Leonard Gitter, MD
Julie Grimsley, RN Shari Kelley, NP Kara Kort-Glowaki, MD Sheila Lemke, MD Peggy McPhillips, RN Bhuvaneswari Ramkumar, MBBS Pam Romer Lynn Siriswasdi, RN Darlene Schick-Waller, RN Kathryn Spinek, RN Sharon Sterriker, RN Jonathan Wright, MD
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Award-winning C are What our patients are saying… “I enjoy coming here. Everyone is so positive and a joy to be around.” “They are truly my rock! The entire staff is compassionate and amazing! Thank you and God bless you all.” “Dr. Gajra is well informed and a very caring man who guided me through a difficult process, to a successful end. Now I’m cured and on my way to recovery.” “Each nurse I have had during treatments has answered all my questions and concerns, plus explained what I was receiving and any side effects.” “The infusion nurses were exceptional. They were both very knowledgeable and they made me feel comfortable.” “The girl who did my vital signs truly cared, and it showed outwardly. You could tell she has a true nurse heart.” “Dr. Kort is excellent. Not only is she a skilled surgeon but she has a way of making you feel like her ‘one and only patient.’ She was truly my angel through my breast cancer journey. She is the BEST.”
A pink flag flew atop the Upstate Cancer Center during October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“I would like to thank everyone. No one person can be singled out. They are all very, very nice to me. I came here worried and now I feel much better. Thanks to all of them.” “They all made this experience the most pleasant as it could be for what it was.” Ajeet Gajra, MD
Staff/Physician Recognition The Breast Cancer Program was the recipient of the Press Ganey outpatient satisfaction champion trophy for having achieved the highest patient satisfaction score, of 98.3, for “staff addressed emotional needs” in the second quarter 2013. Congratulations to the entire staff for their hard work and commitment to patients first!
Rich Williams, RN
Rich Williams, RN was selected by the Environmental Service Department to receive a 2013 Patient Support Services recognition award during the 27th annual Nursing Excellence Celebration in October at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Liverpool. Rosemary Rochford, PhD is vice president for research and interim director of the Upstate Cancer Research Institute.
Rosemary Rochford, PhD
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Award-winning C are Library seeks input on desired resources Have you sat wishing, “If only there were ________________________.” while waiting somewhere or visiting a library? Upstate’s Health Sciences Library would like to know what those wishes are. In order to provide the best possible service to patients, families and staff at the Upstate Cancer Center, the library is looking for input on the types of materials, information, or programming that would be most useful. Whether your thoughts come from personal experiences, professional observations, or a mix of both, the library welcomes your insights. Please contact Clare Rauch, clinical reference librarian, by phone at 315-464-7091 or email at RauchC@upstate.edu ■
Events
Shine a light on lung cancer The lung cancer candlelight vigil was held on Nov. 14, in the circle in front of Upstate University Hospital. During the ceremony, student Amelia Wormer and faculty member Elton Garvin sang a duet , accompanied by student/guitarist Hal Appleby (background). All are part of the radiation therapy program in the College of Health Professions at Upstate Medical University. The annual ceremony is part of a national campaign to raise awareness about lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the world. ■
Halloween! Spiderwoman Hally Krolick celebrated Halloween with patients and staff at Upstate’s Waters Center for Children Cancer and Blood Disorders, our region’s only provider of care for children affected by the diseases. ■
Luminaries with the names of people who are fighting or have lost their lung cancer battle lined a wall at the vigil.
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Events Baldwin A Run for Their Life Upstate professors of pharmacology Saeed Sheikh, MD, PhD and Ying Huang, MD, PhD (pictured at left with Carol M. Baldwin) were among close to 165 Upstate participants in the Carol M. Baldwin A Run for Their Life Oct. 13 at Syracuse University's Manley Field House. Sheikh and Huang are two of more than 60 Upstate breast cancer researchers who have received funding from the Baldwin Foundation. In 2013 and 2012 (as co-investigator), Sheikh received grants to study tamoxifen resistance and genetic markers in breast cancer cells; in 2010 Huang received a grant to study chemotherapy resistance and the use of an anti-viral/anti-bacterial medication for the suppression of breast cancer cells. Sheikh ran and Huang walked in the 5K event. Upstate participants raised $10,154.31. One Upstate team, led by Marian Thompson of Upstate University Hospital's Community campus, topped fundraising by collecting $2,574.31.
Marian Thompson All money raised at “A Run for Their Life” benefits the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY, Inc., which supports breast cancer research at Upstate Medical University and was founded by Baldwin, a breast cancer survivor. ■
Rose rocks! Rose Fennessy of Auburn donated the gifts she collected from her 8th birthday party to the Regional Oncology Center, whose staff “adopts” families for the holidays. Fennessy’s grandfather, George Day, is a patient at the ROC. ■ About 5,800 people turned out for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in October, with 106 members of Team Upstate raising more than $10,000. The American Cancer Society event takes place in Syracuse’s Clinton Square.
Save the Dates
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Feb. 8: Feb. 11: May 10: May 17: June 1: June 7: July 19: Sept. 19: Sept. 20: Sept. 21:
Carol M. Baldwin Save the Peaks Father/Daughter Valentine Ball* Carol M. Baldwin A Night to Remember Annual Gala Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure National Cancer Survivor’s Day Celebration* Paige’s Butterfly Run* Lukie’s Holes for Hope* Upstate Cancer Symposium* Carol M. Baldwin Paddle for the Cure Carol M. Baldwin Annual Golf Tournament
* Upstate Medical University sponsored event
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Events
Paddle for the Cure, held in late September in Old Forge, raises money for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund through a leisurely paddle down the slow-moving, flatwater Moose River. This year’s event drew 80 participants and raised $20,000. ■
Barbers, stylists raise $508 cutting hair By Rich Williams, RN
In the spring of 2013, I was approached by long-time Baldwinsville resident Erin Gay asking how she could help raise money for the Upstate Cancer Center. Gay donates her time and skills to help various charitable organizations in our community. This year, she turned her attention to Upstate’s new Cancer Center. In the past Gay has started various fundraisers including chili cook-offs, walks, motorcycle rides and her favorite “Cuts for a Cure,” where professional barbers and stylists donate their time cutting hair and all the proceeds go toward the organization for which Gay is raising money. Tirelessly, Gay went to many salons and barbershops in and around the Baldwinsville area. She came across the Baldwinsville Barbershop and owner Anthony Trinca. Baldwinsville Barbershop is located at 4 Oswego Street and is situated right in “downtown” Baldwinsville. Trinca offered to open his shop on a day he is normally closed and cut hair. Fellow barber Ryan Austin also offered his services, once he heard of this event. The two barbers were joined by stylist Roseanne Kenney who, although she works at another salon in town, offered her time and service to help the Upstate Cancer Center. On Sunday, Aug. 25, this trio raised $508. Charging $10 per haircut, every dollar raised that day, including tips, was donated to the Upstate Cancer Center. Once word spread that the shop was doing this, people came in droves not only to receive a great haircut, but to support our Cancer Center. Patrons who came in also shared their stories about how cancer has touched their lives. The talented trio of stylists and barbers summed it up best when Trinca said, “Cancer affects everyone at some time in their life. Having a great new center like this right in our backyard is important. We are glad to help in any way we can.” ■
Rich Williams, RN is Nurse Manager of the Regional Oncology Center, Central New York Gamma Knife Center and Radiation Oncology.
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Raising Awareness Melissa leads players #21 Drew Olson and #17 Cedric Paquette onto the ice at the Onondaga County War Memorial. Close to 6,000 people per game have increased their awareness of cancer, thanks to a collaboration between the Syracuse Crunch and Upstate University Hospital.
IT’S CRUNCh TIME! Fourteen pediatric cancer warriors from Upstate did a great job escorting Syracuse Crunch hockey players onto the ice at the opening game on October 12. To see more photos, go to facebook.com/ upstatemedicaluniversity (Nov. 1, 2013)
Pictured is Connor with players #82 Luke Witkowski and #71 Tanner Richard. Photos by Scott Thomas Photography
Miss America with Aiden and his mom, Melanie. Aiden is one of 1,010 patients at the Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Upstate.
‘Our’ Miss America visits young patients
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Nina Davuluri has visited with patients and families at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital twice, once over the summer as Miss New York and in November during her Homecoming Celebration after being crowned Miss America. Davuluri, of Fayetteville, NY, helped children make crowns and tiaras, read stories, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Upstate Golisano is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, which is a major partner with the Miss America Organization. ■
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