Members of the One Square Mile of Hope Committee took a road trip to Upstate Medical Center’s new cancer treatment facility in Syracuse on Tuesday, October 21.
Our purpose was to deliver some of the proceeds from the event to our chosen “local” beneficiaries, Upstate breast cancer research and Golisano Children’s Hospital/Clara Condie Fund.
Each check was in the amount of $10,000 to assist the facilities in their quest to find a cure for cancer.
While there, the committee members were greeted by some of the doctors who will make use of the funds in their research.
To say that the group was impressed by these individuals would be an understatement.
Dr. Bratslavsky is the Chairman of Urology at the cancer center, and he spoke of the progress being made every day in ending the scourge of breast cancer and all other forms of the disease.
He was joined by Dr. Mallapour and her husband Dr. Bourboulia.
They took the time to explain to the group the area of research that they are working in which, if successful, will be a tremendous stride toward a cure.
Dr. Bourboulia had just returned from Germany where he delivered a program on his theory to an international group of cancer researchers.
Following these discussions, the group continued on to the Children’s Cancer Treatment Center where we met Sharon Bauer who is a manager of this area of the Cancer Center.
We also saw a number of the pediatric patients. Their surroundings were cheery and their windows looked out upon a rooftop garden.
Having seen these facilities and meeting with some of the staff of doctors and nurses, we became determined to provide more of the OSM monies to Upstate.
At this time, OSM has distributed funds as follows: $75,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in NYC; $10,000 to the Upstate Foundation’s new cancer research center; $10,000 to Golisano Children’s Hospital at Upstate; $5,000 to Kiwanis of the Central Adirondacks.
That, as you can see, is a total of $100,000. However, that is not the end of the money in the OSM coffers.
While there is still a pretty solid balance in the bank, there is more to come with the sales of leftover shirts and hats, and the sale of up to 3,000 posters of the record-breaking raft of boats.
Once the post-event fund-raising is completed, another round of checks will be delivered to our chosen beneficiaries.
We’re hoping to make the second round a good amount for each.
Due to all of the participants and sponsors of OSM, we can say that our event will have a real impact on cancer research.
Thank you everyone involved in any way for making a difference in our world.