cancer awareness Archives

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.

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.

Event coordinators reflect on 17 years of Saddle Up for Roswell

Posted on November 15, 2022March 2, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

Celebrating 17 Years

Oftentimes, the best fundraisers are born from the marriage of two concepts — a passion and a need. The success of Saddle Up for Roswell is the perfect example of that.

The 17^th Annual Saddle Up for Roswell was held on September 17, 2022, at the Chestnut Ridge Equestrian Center. Over the years, the event has raised nearly $250,000 for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“The original motivation was because Sue Williams’ husband, Terry, was diagnosed with cancer and he was getting treatment and my father worked for Roswell Park in the cancer research lab,” said event coordinator Megan Gamin. “We just thought it was a perfect partnership to raise money for Roswell, and it’s such a wonderful cause.”

Sue and Terry Williams were both avid riders and deeply involved in the world of breeding and training horses. In fact, in 1984, their horse Abdullah competed at the Los Angeles Olympics, winning a gold and silver medal in show jumping.

Carrying on Terry's Vision

At this year’s event, Sue reflected on how the idea for Saddle Up for Roswell came to be. “My husband was being treated for colon cancer at Roswell. And I can distinctly remember sitting at a horse show in Erie, Pennsylvania, and just brainstorming and thinking, ‘Why don’t we see what we can do?’ and ‘Let’s make the horse trials into a fundraiser!’”

In the beginning, they could’ve only dreamed of the event’s success in the 17 years that would follow.

“Our goal is always to beat the year before,” said Megan. “There are 125 riders, and they bring in thousands of dollars. It’s a devoted group.” The event also raises money through T-shirt sales, sponsors and a basket raffle.

While Terry passed away in 2007, Sue and Megan have continued to host and grow the fundraiser in his honor.

Sue added, “I will be 80 years old this year, and I hope it carries on for a long time. I don’t see an end in sight.”

Looking to Start Your Own Event?

For anyone looking to start a fundraiser for Roswell Park, Megan said, “If they can do it, please do it.” She also offered this advice: “Be ahead of the schedule, set a timeline, have meetings and get your core people to back you up.”

Though it can be a commitment to get an event like this off the ground, both Megan and Sue believe the reward of helping those living with cancer is well worth it every time.

Start your own fundraising event.

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.

Tag: cancer awareness