Leadership gift will support cancer care facilities serving residents in Central New York
- Oneida Cancer Care campaign aims to increase access to Roswell Park’s expertise in CNY
- New and renovated cancer facilities to provide access to NCI-quality care for CNY patients
- Fundraising & state grant have contributed $9M toward campaign goal of $12M
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo, N.Y – The Dorothy G. Griffin Charitable Foundation has announced a generous $1 million gift to support a joint capital campaign between Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Oneida Healthcare (OHC). Along with future donations, this leading philanthropic gift will provide the funds needed for OHC to provide access to National Cancer Institute-level cancer care to residents of Central New York.
Oneida Healthcare opened a new infusion center at the Madison County campus in mid-December and is in the process of opening a new radiation oncology facility and expanding its existing Alice M. Gorman Imaging Center, which includes the installation of a new state-of-the-art MRI, PET/CT and a second 3D Mammography unit. Both facilities are expected to open in the fall.
This $1 million gift, along with other philanthropic contributions and a $6.75 million grant awarded by the State Department of Health last year, brings the total raised for the campaign to $9 million of the $12 million goal for the three-phase project.
“We here at Oneida Healthcare are so excited about what is being developed on the campus that will serve those in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, providing care and services under the clinical direction of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center physicians and staff,” said Gene Morreale, President and CEO of Oneida Healthcare. “Roswell Park will provide our region with cancer care guidelines and access to the latest treatment protocols at a nationally ranked cancer care organization.”
The Dorothy G. Griffin Charitable Foundation was established in 1995 by Dorothy Griffin who, along with her brother Bill, operated the Varflex Corporation – a manufacturing company that continues its operations in Rome, New York. Mrs. Griffin was well known as a community advocate and supporter, and was also a longtime supporter of Roswell Park in appreciation for the care her husband received at the institution. Dorothy passed away in March 2015 at 100 years of age.
“For nearly two decades, Roswell Park patients and our innovative research efforts have benefited from Dorothy’s generosity, as well as her belief that all communities should have access to the best possible care at their community hospitals,” said Candace Johnson, PhD, Roswell Park President and CEO. “We’re grateful to the Dorothy G. Griffin Charitable Foundation for continuing to carry out her passion through this significant gift that will expand access to Roswell Park’s nationally recognized cancer care to Oneida Healthcare patients in Central New York.”
“With this gift, the Foundation trustees hope to honor Dorothy and her many philanthropic efforts and believe Dorothy would have fully supported this project and the significance of the gift,” said Foundation Trustee, Charles Schoff. “We hope that other will join the Foundation in bringing these services to Central New York.”
Individual gifts to support this project can be made online at give.roswellpark.org/Oneida or by calling Roswell Park at 716-845-1338.
About Roswell Park
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is a community united by the drive to eliminate cancer’s grip on humanity by unlocking its secrets through personalized approaches and unleashing the healing power of hope. Founded by Dr. Roswell Park in 1898, it is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. Learn more at www.roswellpark.org, or contact us at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or ASKRoswell@roswellpark.org.
About Oneida Healthcare
Oneida Healthcare serves an area comprised of approximately 29 communities in Madison and western Oneida counties with a population of approximately 100,000. Operated by Oneida Health Systems, Inc, a New York State not-for-profit corporation, the organization includes a 101-bed acute care hospital, emergency department, state of the art surgery center, 160-bed extended-care and short-term rehab facility, primary care offices, internal medicine, comprehensive lab services, home medical equipment, comprehensive imaging services, outpatient therapy, and care specialities in: oncology, neurology, podiatry, vascular, sleep, OB/GYN, orthopedics, and ENT. To learn more about Oneida Healthcare, visit www.oneidahealthcare.org.