Jennifer Schifferle, Author at Team Roswell

Your $1 donation turns into $23 in cancer research funding

Posted on May 30, 2023May 30, 2023 by Jennifer Schifferle

There are many powerful ways to support Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s goal of freeing our world from the fear, pain and loss due to cancer. One of those ways is by participating in Team Roswell. The funds raised by Team Roswell participants and donors each year are put to work immediately, fueling cutting-edge cancer research and quality-of-life programs for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Roswell Park has the best and brightest researchers and doctors who have come from around the world to Buffalo, New York, to dedicate their life to studying and treating cancer. Donations to Roswell Park through Team Roswell enable breakthrough cancer discoveries and bring new treatments from the bench (lab) to the bedside (patients).

We’re proud to say that for every dollar donated to cancer research, Roswell Park is now able to leverage an additional $23 from external grants toward that research. This is thanks to the support of Team Roswell and the hard work of Roswell Park researchers.

How cancer research funding works

Cancer research requires a lot of work, resources and investment. With the great wealth of talent among Roswell Park’s researchers and scientists, there are a lot of promising ideas brewing. Many of these discoveries are only able to move forward with the support of donations.

Each year, Roswell Park scientists apply and compete for grants from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation through the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC process is led by Drs. Mukund Seshadri and Kirsten Moysich, who select an internal objective group of peers to sit on the committee based on expertise and areas of research. Reviewers are asked to thoroughly evaluate and consider the scientific promise of each application. The most promising grant applications are awarded with donor-raised funds to allow scientists to continue their cancer research.

This seed money is used for researchers to obtain primary research data and, in turn, apply for larger national grants. The initiatives that receive support often lead to long-term funding from national organizations and new treatments.

Impact of fundraising at Roswell Park

Since 2011, the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, with funds from Team Roswell, has awarded over $16 million to researchers through the Scientific Advisory Committee through 245 grants to 146 scientists.

These grants have led to the publication of 167 papers, the start of at least 20 clinical trials based on homegrown science at Roswell Park and the investment of over $96 million in external grant funding.

That means that for every dollar donated to cancer research, Roswell Park receives an additional $23 in external funding for cancer research.

The dedication and commitment of riders, donors and volunteers is driving work in state-of-the-art labs that fuels discoveries that are changing the future of cancer.

Register today.

Choosing your impact.

Team Roswell: Top cancer fundraisers from Q1

Posted on April 17, 2023April 20, 2023 by Jennifer Schifferle

Check out these top three fundraisers from last quarter.

Chances are, your hobbies and interests might look a little different than your neighbor’s. That’s the beauty of Team Roswell: There’s no limit to all the different ways you can fundraise for Roswell Park Comprehensive Center.

Whether you’re kicking off the season with a jet ski competition, hosting a team cocktail hour or casting a few free throws, Team Roswell is your opportunity to stand up and say: This is how I’m working to end cancer for good.

Need a little inspiration? Check out the top three fundraisers from last quarter.

1. Daytona Free Ride

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, Nick Foederer hosted a jet ski event in Daytona Beach,
Florida, with the help of Brian Sizemore, owner of Torrent Pumps. Proceeds benefited Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Riders from all over took to the water on their jet skis to perform their best, most extreme tricks — including backflips — as they competed against one another. The event raised an incredible $35,826 for the cause!

2. DiVal Safety Charity Event

On Friday, January 27, Chickie Benner and her team at DiVal Safety & Supplies hosted a charity event benefiting Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. The event raised $10,000 for Roswell Park’s most pressing needs.

3. Shooting for a Cure!

On Friday, February 3, the Pembroke High School girls basketball team, with the help of Mike Wilson, a special education teacher, hosted its 12th annual charity basketball game. Shooting For A Cure! started in 2011 after coach Ron Funke discovered his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. Since that time, the event has grown larger every year, becoming a tradition for the school district. To date, Pembroke has raised more than incredible $250,000 for cancer care and research.

These are just a few of the hundreds of unique fundraising events you can host to support cancer patients at Roswell Park. Every event makes an impact.

Have you tried something different that you love and want to share?

You choose your impact

Posted on March 22, 2023March 27, 2023 by Jennifer Schifferle

“It's not just an event, it is a memory. It is a movement. You are bringing together a community to do something amazing and grand that's going to help people all throughout Western New York."

- Jessica Kardashian, event coordinator

When you sign up for Team Roswell, you’re making a world of difference in the fight to end cancer. You’re blazing a trail for a cause that means a lot to you, which means fundraising on your terms, in a way that works best for you and resonates most.

Here’s a closer look at how you can designate your fundraising dollars:

1. Most Pressing Needs

By supporting Roswell Park’s most pressing needs, your fundraising dollars will be used to accelerate promising clinical trials in immunotherapy and cellular therapy treatments, one of our highest and most urgent priorities. You can support the latest treatment options for our patients and help them maintain the best possible quality of life. When you commit to Roswell Park’s most pressing needs, you’re dedicating your efforts toward the work our experts know will make the biggest impact.

2. Courage of Carly Fund

Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children ages 1 to 14 in the United States, and only 4% of federal funding for cancer research goes toward understanding and fighting pediatric cancers. No child should have to experience a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. With your help, they won’t be in this alone. You have the opportunity to support the Courage of Carly Fund, which gives every child facing cancer or a blood disorder at Roswell Park with compassionate care programs and the latest pediatric cancer research.

3. Breast Cancer Research

The support of generous donors like you allows us to stay on the cutting edge of breast cancer research and to provide compassionate care to all our patients. Your fundraising dollars will be used to launch investigations to unlock the secrets of breast cancer and accelerate promising clinical trials to bring about new treatments for breast cancer.

4. Lung Cancer Research

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women, and many people do not have symptoms in its early stages. Here at Roswell Park, donations allow us to pursue and advance research to prevent, detect and treat all kinds of lung cancers. Together, we can bring the latest treatment options to our patients and help them maintain the best possible quality of life through their fight.

5. Colorectal Cancer Research

Colorectal cancers, cancers in the colon and rectum, are among the most common cancers in the nation. Treatment demands expert experience across specialties: surgical, medical and radiation oncology, gastroenterology, nutrition, rehabilitation and more.

6. The Angel Fund

There are times when patients and their families experience extraordinary financial challenges when diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment. The lack of financial resources to meet these challenges may prevent patients from receiving the treatment they require. Here at Roswell Park, donations allow us to help alleviate such challenges by assisting with these expenses through the Angel Fund.

Register today to choose your impact.

Get inspired.

How to Integrate Your Fundraiser with Facebook

Posted on February 3, 2023March 2, 2023 by Jennifer Schifferle

Already set up a fundraising dashboard through the Team Roswell homepage? Take your fundraising efforts to the next level by integrating with Facebook. Connecting your fundraiser with Facebook helps you stay organized and makes it easier than ever to ask for donations.

(If you’re just looking to set up a standalone organic Facebook fundraiser without using a dashboard on our website, click here.)

Here's how to connect your fundraiser to Facebook.

1. Open two web browsers. Log in to Facebook on one tab and the Team Roswell website on another tab.

2. On the Team Roswell homepage, log in to your fundraising dashboard by clicking the “log in” button at the top corner.

3. Locate the blue box that says, “Raise Money Directly on Facebook.” In that box, click, “Edit Fundraiser Content.”

TIPS:

If mobile doesn’t work for you, try connecting on a desktop and make sure that pop-ups are not blocked in your browser.
Edit your Facebook content, including your title and story, before connecting to Facebook.
When you’re ready, click “Save and Connect Fundraiser to Facebook.”

4. After being redirected to Facebook, follow the prompts to connect.

TIP: If you’ve used Facebook fundraising for Team Roswell before, you will not receive any pop-ups. Instead, you’ll receive a notification on Facebook saying your fundraiser is live. On your fundraising dashboard, the blue box button will change to say, “Go to Facebook Fundraiser.”

5. Promote your fundraiser on Facebook by sharing or inviting people to your fundraiser to start receiving donations!

This tool will allow you to spread the word about your fundraiser, engage directly with donors and reach more people than you ever thought possible.

Team Roswell: Fourth Quarter Lookback

Posted on January 20, 2023March 2, 2023 by Jennifer Schifferle

Something incredible happens when a small group of committed people come together around a shared mission to end cancer. With sweat and dedication, small efforts often blossom over time. Nothing highlights that better than the examples below.

Each of these events started with a common goal to make an impact in the fight against cancer. Thanks to the commitment and hard work of each event coordinator, each event raised more than $10,000 for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

1. Bridget's Battle Band Jam

On November 28, event coordinator Tom Schuh hosted a battle-of-the-bands at Buffalo RiverWorks to benefit the Angel Fund at Roswell Park. The event raised $10,000 and honored Tom’s wife, Bridget, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and passed away in 2014. The event has been ongoing since 2010. Read more.

2. Strength, Tone and Stretch Class

On October 26, the team at Buffalo Rehab Group came together to host a fitness class that raised $10,020 for breast cancer research at Roswell Park. Lead by Stephanie Loveless, participants gathered at Powerhouse Buffalo to move through the motions as they stretched, strengthened and toned their way to cancer cures.

3. F Melanoma Golf Tournament

On October 1, event organizer James Skelton and fellow golfers teed up to drive out melanoma at the Chestnut Hill Country Club. The inaugural golf tournament raised $10,865.43 for the melanoma research at Roswell Park. Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that develops in the pigment-making cells that give skin its color.

4. Holiday Hockey Showcase

On November 23, the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local hosted a hockey tournament that raised $11,060 for Roswell Park! Community members gathered together on Thanksgiving Eve for a fun-filled night of hockey, music and vendors. Games were played by members of The 11 Day Power Play, the Buffalo Fire Department and the Buffalo Police Department.

5. Karen Kovach Basket Raffle

On November 3, Paul Kovach hosted a basket raffle at St. Benedict’s School in Eggertsville to raise money for breast cancer research at Roswell Park. The event honored Karen Kovach, who lost her 16-year battle with breast cancer in 2021. The event raised $12,200 for the cause.

6. Lindsay's Legacy 5K

On November 12, a group of runners gathered at the Eldredge Country Club for a 5K race around the City of Tonawanda to raise funds for the Courage of Carly Fund. The event, hosted by Frank Mariani and team, raised $15,500 for children faced with cancer and blood disorders. Now in its 16^th year, Lindsay’s Legacy 5K honors Lindsay MacIver, who lost her battle with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in 2004, at age 21. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer of muscle, tendon, cartilage or bone.

7. Traphagen's Trail Ride 4 Brain Cancer

On October 15, Shannon Traphagen and her team hosted the second annual Traphagen’s Trail Ride for brain cancer research at Roswell Park. The charity bike ride in Hamburg, NY, raised $22,680 for the cause! Shannon Traphagen began the event in 2021 to fight back against brain cancer following the loss of her husband. Read more or listen to Shannon’s podcast.

These are just a few of the hundreds of unique fundraising events you can host to support cancer patients at Roswell Park. Every event makes an impact.

Have you tried something different that you love and want to share?

Salsa for A Cure: Bringing the zest of dance and music to fundraising

Posted on November 8, 2022November 15, 2022 by Jennifer Schifferle

To date, “Salsa For A Cure” has raised more than $28,000 for patient care service at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

When you think of salsa, it’s easy to envision the music, dancing, bright colors and energy. When you think about cancer, it likely brings up opposite emotions. But here in Buffalo, community members have found a way to use the vibrancy of salsa to make a difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

“Salsa for A Cure,” an amateur dance competition, took place on September 16, 2022 at Pucho’s Social Club. The event is a fundraiser for patient care services at Roswell Park.

“I figured, if I had an event that featured Spanish music, especially for Hispanic Heritage Month, we would get more people to learn and be more aware about the different cancers,” said Maritza Vega, “Salsa for A Cure” chairperson.

According to Maritza, one of the primary goals of the event is bringing joy to those who may be suffering due to cancer.

“Making people happy: It’s a way of wellness,” she explained. “I chose ‘Salsa for A Cure’ because I knew that people, when they came to this event, were going to be happy. They were going to be willing and ready to contribute.”

Dinorah E. Santos agrees. Dinorah is a past board member of the Hispanic Heritage Council and she currently handles public relations for the Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute.

“Come for the music. Come for the drinks. Come for the vibes and the energy,” Dinorah exclaimed while being interviewed at the event.

When asked about the significance of “Salsa for A Cure,” Dinorah said the amateur dance competition is a great symbol for Hispanic and Latino culture — and the diversity within those communities. “It just shows how this culture can be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone, especially in a time where we just spent so much time behind closed doors in our homes away from others [due to the COVID-19 pandemic]. Here, everyone is just coming together and appreciating the culture.”

The fundraiser was put on in coordination with the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, the Pucho Olivencia Center, the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade, Baila Salsa and many more community partners.

To date, “Salsa for A Cure” has raised more than $28,000 for patient care services at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; however, Maritza believes the event can make an even bigger impact! She hopes to see the fundraiser continue to grow for years to come.

We all have the tools to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. For anyone looking to start their own fundraiser, Maritza offered, “It takes people to come together and make it happen.”

Start your own fundraising event.

Salsa for a Cure Photo Gallery

Riding for hope: How one woman turned loss into a lifelong mission

Posted on April 27, 2022July 7, 2022 by Jennifer Schifferle

Shannon's story

Shannon Traphagen vividly remembers the day her husband Mike hopped on his bike and cycled 20 miles — just six weeks after having brain surgery. At his next radiation appointment, the entire staff at Roswell Park applauded his efforts and greeted him with high-fives. When Mike finished radiation and rang the bell marking his last treatment, his doctors and nurses rallied around him.

Though Mike succumbed to brain cancer after 14 months, Shannon will never forget the knowledge and compassion of the Roswell Park staff. They walked the couple through treatment options, let them know what to expect and brought in specialists when needed. To this day, Roswell Park continues to exceed Shannon’s expectations.

“The staff and community at Roswell Park continue to rally around me as I grieve the loss of my husband. They hold me close and support me on my new journey. There is immense value and strength in that kind of support,” Shannon says.

A trail ride in Mike's honor

Last year, Shannon started the Traphagen’s Trail Ride 4 Brain Cancer in the Village of Hamburg to honor her husband’s legacy. The inaugural event offered a 5.5-mile and 10-mile bike route to riders and benefitted brain cancer research and treatment at Roswell Park. The event raised almost $11,000 in just six weeks.

Shannon relied on the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, sponsors, vendors and her staff to put the event together and hit her fundraising goal. The Alliance Foundation, through the Team Roswell program, helped her plan and create promotional materials while media coverage from WIVB Channel 4 helped her spread the word to recruit riders and encourage donations.

Her advice to anyone looking to fundraise is this: Start early, plan in advance and be strategic.

“Create a Facebook events page, use LinkedIn and Instagram, make a personal video message letting people know why you are holding your event. These things will give you the best chance at hosting a great event!” she says.

Finding the light

Shannon doesn’t plan to stop after the inaugural ride. After serving as a caregiver and experiencing such a difficult loss, she wants to help others who are walking a similar path. That involves raising funds and awareness for brain cancer to give others a better chance at beating the odds. It all comes down to inspiring hope.

“Hope is a powerful thing. Don’t ever lose it — even in your darkest days — because you never know where the light will come from and how it will shine down on you,” she says.

Learn more about how to start your own fundraising event.

What We Can Learn from Shooting For A Cure!

Posted on April 21, 2022March 2, 2023 by Jennifer Schifferle

Imagine This

Picture a packed gym decorated with balloons and streamers — all pink. At center court, the Pembroke girls’ basketball team dons pink jerseys with a pink basketball in one player’s hand. The crowd is silent as a player shares the story of a loved one over the loudspeaker. When she’s done, she places a pink rose into a vase alongside other pink and white flowers, representing survivors and those lost to breast cancer.

At the end of the night, it’s not about who wins the game; it’s about an entire community coming together for a cause. And it’s been that way for eleven years.

“Our mission started off as a kind gesture in support of a community member as she battled breast cancer,” says Mike Wilson, a special education teacher and event organizer. “It was a pure act, done out of love. Eleven seasons later, we never could have imagined what this game would become.”

Shooting For A Cure! started in 2011 after coach Ron Funke discovered his wife had been diagnosed with cancer. The girls’ basketball team wanted to show their support by hosting a game in her honor as she underwent treatment. Shooting For A Cure! has since raised more than $225,000 for breast cancer research and care at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“Our team, our school and our entire community is working toward finding a cure for cancer. We value service, and we will continue to do all we can in support of those in need,” Mike says.

The Secrets to Success: Sweat and Passion

The Secrets to Success: Sweat and Passion

When we asked Mike what it took to bring an event like Shooting For A Cure to life, his answer was simple: hard work. The planning process begins long before event day, and everyone (players, families and teachers) works together to promote the game. That includes collaborating with local media outlets, posting on social media and seeking donations from local area businesses.

Above all of that, though, Mike says that you can use passion to fuel your momentum. Lead with your heart, and people will respond.

“If you have a passion to support those in need, let that guide your event. There are more compassionate and benevolent people in our community than you can imagine who will jump on board and support you.”

Mike also says that the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation really helps support his team through the planning process by providing tools and connections that make the event a success.

Bring It All Together

Bringing It All Together

There’s a lot to be learned from the success of Shooting For A Cure!, especially if you’re thinking about hosting your own Team Roswell event for the first time. Here are four tips you can take from Shooting For A Cure! when planning your fun.

1. Start early

Events can be time-consuming to plan, so give yourself plenty of time to get everything off the ground.

2. Make it a community affair

Planning is more fun with a team. Make sure to loop people in and ask for help from local businesses.

3. Use the resources available to you

Whether you need inspiration, guidance or planning tools, there is plenty of support available to you. Ask family, friends or the staff at the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.

4. Get social

Use social media to promote your event, ask for donations and gather inspiration from other accounts. Follow Shooting For A Cure! on Twitter at @PemGBB_PinkGame to get started.

5. Lead with passion

If you have a serious passion for helping others, let that be your guide. People respond well to authenticity and are more likely to help if they know you’re excited about your event.

With these tips on your side, your event is sure to be a hit.

Questions? Reach out to Mary at Team Roswell at 716-845-4977 or teamroswell@roswellpark.org .