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Maureen Hogle ended a 41-year habitwhen she quit smoking five years ago.

“What always goes through your mind,when you’re eventually able to quit is,‘I’m never going to know if there’s some-thing wrong with my lungs until I getsymptoms,’ ” says Hogle, 61.

Then she read about a new lung cancer screening service offered at Upstate for smokers and former smokers.With her partner recovering from treatment for breast cancer, Hogle wasanxious to do whatever she could to beproactive about her health, even if itmeant paying $235 for the scan, which isnot covered by health insurers.

New federal guidelines that PresidentObama signed early this year require a comprehensive plan of research action for“high mortality cancers” including lung cancer, which has a 5-year survival rate of 15 percent. The Lung Cancer Alliance supports the legislation, and lung cancerscreening. “Our mission is to cut lung

cancer mortality in half by the end of thedecade,” says Laurie Fenton-Ambrose, alliance president and CEO.

So one recent Monday evening, Hogel arrived at 550 Harrison St. for a specializedcomputerized tomography scan thatwould detect tiny spots or nodules on herlungs years before they would ever showup on a regular chest x-ray.

Hogle follows CT technician Dave Barnwellto the doughnut-shaped machine, whereshe reclines on a table. Her head lay on a pillow, her legs rest across another. Thenshe reaches her arms up and over herhead so that her elbows are in the air, andthe machine can get a clear shot of herlungs. The table moves the patient into thedoughnut “hole” for the scan.

The scanner takes 64 image slices, one every1¼ millimeters from the base to the top ofher torso. This is accomplished with low-dose radiation, the equivalent of about 1/3 the radiation for a regular CT scan, Barn-well explains. And it takes about 5 seconds.

The CT scanner speaks in a computervoice: “Breathe in…Hold your breath.”Then, “Breathe.” This happens twice whilethe machine calibrates. The third time, theimages are captured. Then Barnwell spendsa couple minutes transferring everything toa CD that the patient will keep.

Dedicated chest radiologists review the images. Patients receive phone calls with

Lung cancer screening: $235 for peace of mind

Maureen Hogle breathed a sigh of relief over her lungcancer screening results. Her partner, Aida Caputo,

is a breast cancer survivor.

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Heart and Soul Ceremony sees final beams lifted into placeThousands of Central New Yorkers touched by cancer signedthe final two beams of the new Upstate Cancer Center, whichwere lifted into their places at the top of the building in a ceremony in March. See Associate Administrator Dick Kilburg’saccount and photos of the event on pages 2 and 3.

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From the Medical Director

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Cancer is amulti-faceteddisease. Manypatients needmore than onemodality oftreatment, andevery patient has individual

needs and requirements in the management of his or her disease.

Diagnosis, evaluation and treatmentplanning, therefore, require a multi-disciplinary approach.

Each patient with a new cancer diagnosisdeserves input from all specialties andsupport services related to his or hercancer. These may include medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, radiology, pathology and medical specialties such as pulmonary medicine,

gastrointestinal medicine, nuclear medicine and interventional radiology.

Patients at the Upstate Cancer Centerhave the benefit of close cooperationamong all these specialists, who work asteams devoted to each type of cancer.This approach will be expanded in thenew Upstate Cancer Center building,which has a clinical area devoted tomulti-disciplinary practice.

Currently, patients in our Thoracic Oncology (lung cancer), Breast Cancer,and Thyroid Cancer programs can meetwith several specialists on the same day.Other programs -- including prostatecancer, liver and related cancers, headand neck cancer, colorectal cancer andbrain tumor --may not see patients all at the same time, but patients are discussed at a conference with all specialists present.

Social workers, case managers and other specialists such as dieticians,speech and swallowing therapists, spiritual care advisers, palliative care and pain management specialists will be incorporated into the care team asthese programs develop and expand.This results in optimal care, individualized for each patient.

When our new building opens, every patient will have a nurse-navigator whomthe patient can contact with questions at any time. We also hope to developtelemedicine and teleconference capabilities so patients at more remotesites can benefit from this comprehensive,individualized approach to care.

Leslie J. Kohman, MDMedical DirectorUpstate Cancer Center

From the Associate AdministratorA ceremony was held in the Upstate University Hospital lobbyon Feb. 5 to celebrate thelast piece ofsteel that would

eventually be placed for all to see on the Upstate Cancer Center. Kicking offthe event were Upstate President DavidSmith, MD; University Hospital CEO JohnMcCabe, MD; Cancer Center Medical Director Leslie Kohman, MD; and CancerCenter Campaign Co-Chair and SyracuseUniversity Head Coach Jim Boeheim and his wife Juli, Upstate Foundationboard member.

Several pediatric cancer patients andadult survivors were present to sign thebeam. The ceremony was phenomenal.In addition, the beam --23 feet in lengthand weighing 600 pounds --remained inthe lobby during the month of February

for all who have been touched by cancer to sign. Permanent markers weremade available in a rainbow of colorsrepresenting various types of cancer.

No one could have predicted the overallimpact the display of the final beamwould have on cancer survivors, cancerpatients and their loved ones. After twodays on display, the beam had to beturned over because it was so full ofnames. People were crying as theysigned. Others were kneeling, praying,and so thankful for the opportunity tosign the beam. Families were taking theirpicture together while signing the beam.

Word spread quickly via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Within a week, the entire beam was filled from top to bottom with well over 1,000 names, and still people squeezed letters intoevery nook and cranny, anywhere a small white space existed.

A second beam had to be delivered togive more people an opportunity to sign,

and it was displayed into March. The Rev.Terry Culbertson remarked at the senseof spirituality of this signing opportunity.It is clear that those touched by cancerhave poured their hearts and souls intothe names and notes they’ve inscribedon these pieces of steel. The names onthese beams will be immortalized in the building, a permanent part of thestructure. These beams, when erectedin place, will symbolize the “heart andsoul” of the Cancer Center.

A placement ceremony was held onMarch 27 to watch the “heart and soul”of the Upstate Cancer Center be installed. The ceremony was dedicatedto all people touched by cancer, and themain speakers were cancer survivors.

The Cancer Center is slated to open inspring 2014.

Richard J. Kilburg, MBAAssociate AdministratorUpstate Cancer Center

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Richard J. Kilburg, MBA

Leslie J. Kohman MD

Heart and Soul Ceremony

Newsletter Staff:Leslie Kohman MD, Medical Director

Richard Kilburg MBAAssociate Administrator

Jeanmarie Glasser FACHEAssistant Director 315-464-5925, glasserj@upstate.edu

Linda Veit, Project Manager315-464-6303, veitl@upstate.edu

Heidi Chapman, Staff Assistant315-464-6065, chapmanh@upstate.edu

Upstate Medical UniversityMarketing and University Communications

Design and Editorial Support315-464-4836

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We invite you to “like” the Upstate Cancer Center on Facebook, where photos like these first appeared. Once the building is complete, the beams – signed by thousands of people touched by cancer -- will still be visible from the roof.

Participating in the beam placement ceremony in March were cancer survivor Connor Licamele, (above) and Zach Ellingson, 11 (far right at podium)

They were joined by Neil Falcone, Lynn Conroy, Jen DeWoerth, Victoria Jellie, Tracy Licamele and Brian Licamele (center photo).Read about the Heart and Soul Beam Placement Ceremony on page 2.

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Drug trial looks to extend lives of people with advanced kidney cancerChemotherapyused to be theonly option forpeople with advanced kidney cancer,the chemicals attacking thecancer cellsalong with thebody’s healthycells. A moretargeted therapy was designed to zero in on the cancer cells,but its long-term results are not great.

“It was an improvement over chemotherapy,but it certainly had its own limitations,”says Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, who chairsUpstate’s Urology Department and directsthe Prostate Cancer Program.

He leads a trial at Upstate that offers patients a vaccine made just for them, designed to enlist their bodies’ immunesystems in the cancer fight. “The theory is that if we were to train the body’s owncells, we could get a much more effectivekilling of the cancer cells,” he says.

Bratslavsky’s trial is part of an international,multi-institutional study of patients withmetastatic kidney cancer, or kidney cancerthat has spread beyond the kidney. Patients who join the trial will undergosurgery, have their tumors analyzed, andthen be placed in one of two groups. Both groups of patients will receive state-of-the-art therapy, and one groupwill also receive this new vaccine.

Upstate is one of the first sites in theUnited States to offer this trial, along withthe hope it provides for the patients.

Learn more by calling Upstate Urology at315-464-1500.

Colonoscopy has the undisputed ability to nip cancer in the bud, but manypeople find the screening unpleasant.Someday, maybe colonoscopy will be replaced by a simple blood orurine test.

A NationalCancer Institutestudy underway atUpstate islooking forbiologicalmarkers orbiomarkersthat signalthe devel-opment ofcolorectalcancer the way pregnancy hormonessignal a baby is growing. Leading thestudy are associate professors of surgery, Jiri Bem, MD, and DavidHalleran, MD, both of whom are colorectal surgeons.

The concept of using biomarkers todetect cancer is not new, but it is ahot topic among cancer researcherswho are examining the potential ofboth protein and molecular biomarkers.The PSA test is already in use, tomeasure levels of prostate specificantigen in men with prostate cancer,and something similar is used tocheck for ovarian cancer recurrencein women.

What’s new with this study beingdone at Upstate is the search forsomething in the blood or urine of a healthy person that could beused to reveal the presence of colorectal cancer before symptomsbecome apparent.

Bem says the potential is exciting, but this study is just the beginning.“This is going to be another small step toward that goal. It’s going totake probably several years before we

know what we’ve achieved and whereelse we need to focus,” he says. Thedata collected in Syracuse will be included with data from about 5,850other people in the United States.

Colorectalcancer is thesecond leadingcause ofcancer deathin men andwomen combined. Ithas about a50 percentmortalityrate, whichwould be reduced ifmore people

were screened regularly. The recom-mendation is every 10 years starting atage 50 for people with average risk. Experts believe 40 percent of peoplewho should be screened, are not.

“Physicians can intervene and actuallyprevent the progression to a cancer,”Halleran explains. Colorectal cancersbegin as benign growths calledpolyps. Finding polyps and removingthem prevents the cancer, he says.That means undergoing colonoscopy,in which a long, thin tube is insertedthrough the rectum and into thecolon so the doctor can visualize the inside of the large intestine. Any polyps found can be removed at the same time.

“Colonoscopy gives physicians thechance to be therapeutic as well as diagnostic.”

To joiN ThE STUdy

Researchers from Upstate seek at least100 Central New Yorkers to be involvedin a study of biomarkers that may signal colorectal cancer. Participantswill be asked for stool, urine and

Study searches for biomarkers thatcould identify colorectal cancer

David R Halleran, MDJiri Bem, MD

Gennady Bratslavsky, MD

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S T U DY S E A RC H E S F O R B I O M A R K E R S – Continued from page 4

blood samples before undergoingcolonoscopy. To be involved, a participant must:

• be between 60 and 80 years of age,

• have no symptoms of colorectal cancer,

• have no history of colorectal surgery, and

• have no cancer within the last five years.

Call Upstate Connect: 315-464-8668for details.

The Salt City Road Warriors generously donated funds to provideparking to participants and pay forsome promotional expenses for thisimportant study.

Providers working in Upstate UniversityHospital’s Breast Care Program demonstrate a firm commitment tooffer patients every significant advantage in their battle against breastdisease. The services available at Upstate include genetics evaluationand management services, a well-organized process for evaluating patients for clinical trials and a significantmonitoring system to ensure that patients are appropriately followedthrough their treatment plans.

This is what inspectors from the National Accreditation Program forBreast Centers found recently whenthey visited Syracuse and awarded athree-year full accreditation to Upstate’s Breast Care Program, di-rected by Sheila Lemke, MD. TheNAPBC is a program administered bythe American College of Surgeons.

Upstate achieved compliance in all 27areas of review by the group, reflectingexcellence in diagnostic imaging, radiationoncology, nursing, support and rehabilitation,reconstructive surgery, community out-

reach, research and quality.

“The accreditation reflects the depth ofservices and quality of care that Upstate’sbreast program provides its patients,” saidassociate administrator Richard Kilburg. “This recognition is a testamentto the physicians, nurses and other staffmembers who are dedicated to ensuringpatients get the very best care based onthe latest medical knowledge.”

Breast care services are offered at twolocations: at Upstate’s Downtown Campusat 550 Harrison St., Syracuse and on theCommunity Campus at 4900 Broad Road,Syracuse. Practitioners see about 10,000patient visits per year and offers an arrayof services that include radiologic imaging,lymphedema treatment, lactation assistanceand surgery, as well as specialized programs for breast cancer and benignbreast disease.

At the Downtown Campus, the Women’sImaging Center is adjacent to the BreastCare and Endocrine Surgery Center,named in honor of Upstate’s pioneeringfemale surgeon, Patricia J. Numann, MD.

Patients who need services from bothcenters will appreciate not having totravel between the two.

Among the providers in the downtown center are Jayne Charlamb, MD, KaraKort-Glowaki, MD, and nurse practitionersPatricia Brady, Lisa Cico and Tammy Root.Call 315-464-8224 for appointments.

At the Community Campus, Breast CareCenter surgeons Mary Ellen Greco, MD,and Kristine Keeney, MD, treat a widerange of breast conditions, from cancerto fibrocystic breast disease, and will seeany patients with a suspicious lumpwithin 48 hours. Call 315-492-5660. Theoffice is conveniently located next toWellspring’s imaging center.

Imaging services at both locations include breast imaging, general diagnosticimaging, bone mineral density studiesand breast, obstetrics, gynecological and general ultrasounds. The physicianteam includes Deepa Masrani, MD, thedirector of women’s imaging, Ravi Adhikary, MD, Beverly Spirt, MD andKatherine Willer, MD.

Upstate expands breast care services to two locations

Appointment DetailsLow-dose CT scans to screen for lungcancer are done after 5 p.m. Mondaysin offices at 550 Harrison St. Parking isfree. Scans cost $235. They are forsmokers between the ages of 55 and74 or former smokers who quit withinthe past 15 years and who have a smokinghistory of at least 30 pack years. Call464-6303 for information, or 464-8668for an appointment.

results a few days later, and their doctors receive letters with the results. And, if anything worrisome is noticed, patients can be referred to Upstate’s multidiscipli-nary Thoracic Oncology Program.

Since Upstate began offering this program in the fall, about 35 smokers and formersmokers have been screened. None have had cancer, but one person had a lung infection they did not know about -- and

Hogel learned of a hiatal hernia.

For years she suffered what she assumed tobe indigestion. The scan revealed the her-nia, which was easily repaired through sur-gery. It’s a side benefit of her undergoing thelung cancer screening. She’s glad it has beenrepaired, of course, but she’s grateful forher peace of mind.

See related story on page 9.

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Looking for breast tumors on a regularmammogram “is like trying to see asnowman in a blizzard,” describes KerryGreene-Donnelly, assistant professor inmedical imaging sciences at UpstateMedical University.Dense breast tissue appearswhite, and so dobreast cancers.

A new type of three-dimensionalmammographycalled tomosynthesis --now available atUpstate’sWomen’s Imag-ing Center at 550 Harrison St. -- is said toprovide a clearer image and help radiolo-gists locate smaller cancers at earlierstages. Done like a regular mammogram,the 3D option provides 15 image slicesmore like those from a computerized tomography scan.

The technology is designed to reduce a woman’s anxiety and reduce the number of women who have to undergo repeated mammograms. It may appeal especially to women withdense breast tissue, since dense breasttissue makes cancers more difficult tofind on a regular mammogram.

Experts don’t all agree that dense breasttissue increases a woman’s risk of breastcancer, but women in New York whose

screening mammograms reveal densebreast tissue are receiving letters tellingthem it may, under a new law that tookeffect this year requiring mammographycenters to send the letters.

About 40percent ofwomen have heterogeneouslydense breasts,and 10 percenthave extremelydense breasts, according to theAmerican Collegeof Radiology. That means about half of the women who undergo

screening mammograms in New Yorkshould expect to receive letters.

For some women with dense breasts, annual screening mammography may be adequate. Some who have relativeswith cancer may be directed to ultrasound after the mammogram. And some may need imaging by magnetic resonance after the mammogram. “There’s no perfect formula,” says Greene-Donnelly, explaining that physicians have to consider a woman’s lifetime risk, and the density of her breasts to decidewhat to recommend.

For assistance making a mammographyappointment, call 315-464-8668.

Upstate’s new imaging option:3D mammography

Deepa M Masrani, MD

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Two abstracts were accepted to be presented as posters at the OncologyNursing Society annual conference inApril 2013. The abstracts were each written about ongoing quality initiatives atUpstate’s Bone Marrow Transplant unit.

The first highlighted initiative is to offer patients the option to use antibacterial cleaning products whenthey bathe. Studies have shown thatregular antibacterial washes reduce the likelihood of patients’ developingcentral line associated blood stream infections. A skin assessment was alsocompleted daily on each patient to ensure that the wash was not too hard on the skin. This initiative resulted in a reduction in blood stream infections, and patients’ skin was not adversely affected.

The second quality project involvedusing a clinical measurement to determine if it is appropriate to removea central line if a patient was found tohave a blood stream infection. Quiteoften it is assumed that the line is the cause of the infection, and it is removed. However, if the line doesn’thave to be removed, it saves the patientfrom an extra invasive procedure. Research has suggested that only 20percent of lines that are removed actually need to be removed. Using the clinical measurement, the BoneMarrow Transplant unit has been able to determine which lines ought to remain and has therefore been able to improve patient care.

Bonnie Chapman is Director of Qualityfor the Upstate Cancer Center.

Bone MarrowTransplant unit reduces infectionrate, improves patient careBy Bonnie Chapman

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Welcome to our new staffREgioNAl oNCology CENTER

Jessica Tuzzolino, Nurse Practitioner

Wendy Barry,CRA, Clinical research associate

RAdiATioN oNCology

Coleen Regan, RN

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The resource center in the future Cancer Center will be the second Health Sciences Library extension in a clinical setting at Upstate.

The Family Resource Center in the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital was the first and at 3 years old hasproven to be an excellent resource forthe patients, their caregivers, cliniciansand staff.

The Family Resource Center provides a variety of supports for all, including a quiet place to read a magazine, a comfortable space to read aloud orcheck out books for bedtime, a place to research health information or get

assistance with research, as well as bor-row other materials for entertainment.

The new resource center will focus onproviding resources and services specificto cancer patients and their caregivers,as well as supporting programming provided through organizations such asthe American Cancer Society and others.

Clare Rauch, a clinical reference librarian for the HSL, is charged with establishing the new library resourcecenter. She has worked extensively at the Family Resource Center, briefly asthe interim director, and witnessed firsthand the benefit of a library within a clinical setting.

“I am very excited about the services wewill be able to offer patients and theirfamilies in the new resource center. It isextremely gratifying to be a part of thisnew service to the community,” she says.

All the Upstate Health Sciences Libraryresources and services are availablewhile the Cancer Center is under construction.

Consult with a medical librarian for help with access to ebooks, online databases, and health information.Please visit the library in person or online at library.upstate.edu or contactus at 464-4581 or library@upstate.edu

Library to offer satellite in Cancer Center

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Upstate’s Tracy KalinowskiRN and Jody Sima MD '02raised $7,000 for pediatriccancer research by havingtheir heads shaved at theMarch 3 St. Baldrick’sfundraiser at Kitty HoynesIrish pub in Syracuse. Both are on the staff at the Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Upstate Golisano Children’sHospital in Syracuse.

“I shaved my head to show our patients and their families that I supportthem and that beautycomes from within. Hair isjust an accessory,” says Kalinowski. “The kids arethe brave ones. I just wantto do whatever I can to help find a cure. I’ll shave my head again next year, and so will my sons. It was an amazing andhumbling experience.”

Sima described the day she showed up atthe hospital with no hair: a little girl, baldfrom chemotherapy, pulled off her hatand said, “Hey, Doctor Jody, you look likeme now!’”

Aiyana, 4, of Oswego, was diagnosed with a braintumor called pilocytic astrocytoma in May 2012. Her left eye is partiallyclosed due to the condition.When this photo was taken,she was in the outpatientclinic for her weekly infusionof IV chemotherapy, part of a60-week-long regimen.Aiyana has undergone twosurgeries, one performedjust days after diagnosis.Aiyana’s Upstate health careteam includes pediatric neurosurgeon Zulma Tovar-Spinoza MD, neuro-opthal-mologist Melissa Ko MD,pediatric oncologist GloriaKennedy MD and nurse practitioner Diane Groth NP.

Since 2005, Upstate Medical University hasreceived more than $350,000 from the St.Baldrick's Foundation to help pay for re-search and enroll children in clinical trials.

Upstate nurse and doctor shave theirheads for pediatric cancer research

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Tracy Kalinowski, RN (center) and Jody Sima, MD (right) are pictured with one ofthe 700 patients of Upstate’s Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood

Disorders who inspired them to shave their heads.

By Bonnie Chapman

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These physicians achieved board certification or re-certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine:

Jeanne Bishop, MD, Medicine; SharonBrangman, MD, Medicine; Ajeet Gajra,MD, Medicine; Barbara Krenzer, MD,Medicine; Sheila Lemke, MD, Medicine;Suman Swarnkar, MD, Medicine, previously certified; Jonathan Wright,MD, Medicine; Bhuvaneswari Ramkumar, MD, Fellow in Medical Oncology; Leslie Kohman, MD,Surgery; Mitch Karmel, MD, Radiology;Irene Cherrick, MD, Pediatrics.

Irene Cherrick, MDis one of this year's recipients of the Gold Standard Award,which recognizes faculty who havedemonstrated dedication, passion, vision and com-mitment to their work and to Upstate.

Golam Mohi, PhD, willreceive a $549,783scholar award from theLeukemia & LymphomaSociety. The awardtakes effect July 1 andlasts for five years.Mohi will use the

award to advance his research into a group of blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Pediatric oncology nurses John Breault, RN and MollyNapier, RN arethis year’s recipients of the W. ScottCarter Award.The award ---a tribute to W. Scott Carter, who died unexpectedly on Jan. 1, 1999 –goes to the member of the nursingstaff who best demonstrates the qualities exemplified by Scott: compassionate concern for the welfare of children, excellence in the technical aspects of nursing andthe ability to touch others with an infectious joy of life.

The Breast Cancer Program was the recipient of the outpatient satisfactionchampion trophy for the third quarter.The Breast Cancer Program had thehighest outpatient satisfaction score(100) for healthcare providers’ efforts

to include patients in the decisions regarding treatment.

These inpatient and outpatient oncology areas were recognized recently for having achieved an overall patient satisfaction score of 90 or above in 2012: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (90.3), Breast Cancer Program (91.1), Breast Care Center(91.0), and Gamma Knife (98.1)

The 11G team was rated in the 99th percentile in nursing care for four consecutive months. You can’t getbetter than that! Also, 11G reached the 365-day mark on Dec. 28, 2012 forno Health Care Acquired-Central LineAssociated Blood Stream Infections.As members of the Children’s HospitalAssociation, 11G participates in aprocess improvement program thathas helped prevent eight deaths and 66 infections, and resulted in a cost-savings of $2.3 million.

Upstate’s Regional Oncology CenterStars program was created to increasestaff morale. Lynn Siriswasdi and JennaSchultz were recently recognized asROC Stars for their hard work and always putting Patients First!

These exerpts come from patients who completed patient satisfaction surveys:

“Am always pleased by the friendliness and professionalism byall the staff and the doctor. Office, waiting room, exam area,and bathroom are ALWAYS clean and peaceful. Very pleasant!”

“While every single person was wonderful, my nurse Barb waskind, compassionate, engaged and funny. She, and everyoneelse, made me feel so comfortable.”

“Dr. Jonathan Wright is wonderful. I do cry a lot and he talks to me like I am the only one he is treating. Dr. Wright is anangel to me.”

Congratulations

Kudos from our patientsThese employees were recognized by name in recent patientsatisfaction surveys:

Eleanor Abel, PA; Jessica Armstrong; Patricia Brady, NP; Jayne Charlamb, MD; Lisa Cico, NP; Michele Fehlman; Ajeet Gajra, MD; Simeon Garvin; Theresa Gentile, MD, PhD; Julie Grimsley, RN; Seung Shin Hahn, MD; Roseann Izquierdo;Meaghan Kazmirski; Shari Kelley, NP; Haider Khadim, MBBS; Kara Kort-Glowaki, MD; Sheila Lemke, MD; Dena Martin, clinical research coordinator; Dr. Veeral Patel; Bernard Poiesz,MD; Michael Poiesz, MD; Robin Salvaterra, RN; Darlene Schick-Waller, RN; Rahul Seth, DO; Kathryn Spinek, RN; Ibrahim Thabet, NP; Jonathan Wright, MD; Elizabeth Ziolkowski, RN.

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Fayetteville resident Sally Attridge passedaway recently, succumbing finally to can-cer which had challenged her for the last13 years. She had determinedly beat boutafter bout with the disease, feeling victo-rious each time she went into remission.The following is the story she wished toshare prior to her death.

Sally Attridge was so gratefulfor the cancer care she received at Upstate that when she heard that the Foundation for Upstateneeded support of its campaign to build the UpstateCancer Center, she offered tohost an awareness receptionso that she could share her experiences with familymembers and friends. She invited one of her doctors,Leslie Kohman, MD, to tellabout the new Cancer Center.

Attridge’s story relative to cancer began 13 years ago, a year after she quitsmoking. She was 69 and in good healthdespite being a smoker for 50 years. “I did not have anything medically wrong with me. I didn’t take pills for anything;I didn’t even take vitamins or a calciumsupplement,” she said.

Owing to her excellent health, her internist would not give her a prescription for a chest X-ray during herannual physical in 2000, saying it was notcovered by her insurance company. Laterthat week, Attridge saw an ad in the localnewspaper seeking volunteers to

participate in a research study at Upstatecalled “The Early Lung Cancer ActionStudy,” which led to Upstate’s Lung Cancer Screening Program, profiled inour cover story. She qualified for thestudy, which utilized computerized tomography scans rather than X-rays

to detect lung cancer. She had an initialscan that revealed nothing. Then threemonths later, scans confirmed two ma-lignant tumors, which were not alike andhad metastasized into her lymph nodes.

So Attridge’s journey with Upstate’s cancer care team began. In 2007, a

routine colonoscopy revealed twomalignant tumors that were notalike, and not like the tumors in her lung. The following year, twomore tumors were detected, one in each lung. These, also, were notlike the first two. In 2011, a biopsydetermined yet another tumor unlike the previous ones.

Attridge once again came under thecare of her cancer doctors earlierthis year. This is what she had to sayabout her team: “The really strikingthing to me is that with all the high-tech advancements in cancertreatment – which have not been

sacrificed at the ROC (Regional OncologyCenter) – cancer affects people emotion-ally as well as physically. Treatment is notonly about technology. It’s about thepersonal, caring relationships with thepatient and the attention to their everyconcern. And in this regard, they all getan A plus, plus, plus.”

Grateful patient hosted awareness reception

Sally Attridge, center, with her friends Kathy Considine and Reggie Finlay.

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MyTh 1:CANCER iS jUST A hEAlTh iSSUE.

Truth: Cancer is not just a health issue. It has wide-reaching social, economic,development, and human rights implications.

MyTh 2:CANCER iS A diSEASE of ThE wEAlThy, EldERly ANd dEvEloPEd CoUNTRiES.

Truth: Cancer does not discriminate. It is a global epidemic, affecting all ages,with low- and middle-income countriesbearing a disproportionate burden.

MyTh 3: CANCER iS A dEATh SENTENCE.

Truth: Many cancers that were once considered a death sentence can now becured and for many more people theircancer can now be treated effectively.

MyTh 4: CANCER iS My fATE.

Truth: With the right strategies, morethan one in every three cancers can beprevented.

World Cancer Day dispels damaging myths about the diseaseCaregivers from Upstate joined with the Commission on Cancer on Feb. 4, WorldCancer Day, to help dispel damaging myths and misconceptions about the disease —starting with these four:

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The Foundation for Upstate Medical University works with many members of the Central New York community who use their time, talent and money to raise funds for a cause for which they are passionate. Some of the initiatives are quite unique, such as the one conducted by Danielle Delfanian of Liverpool to raise money for the Upstate Cancer Center.

Calling her campaign “Roses for BreastCancer,” Delfanian designs lovely creations—such as coin purses,bracelets, wristlets, hair clips and apparel—with duct tape. She says thatshe may be the only person in UpstateNew York with more than 500 rolls ofduct tape in her basement.

A family member who is a breast cancer survivorinspired Delfanian, whocombined this inspirationwith her passion for rosesand a roll of duct tape. She creates the productsherself, although she credits “some amazingfriends who have also helped me prepare petals for roses,pieces for bracelets and rosettes, zippersfor the bags, etc. The prep work takesthe most time and I am very thankful tohave people who are able to help mewhen it is needed.”

For her efforts, Roses for Breast Cancerwill be permanently recognized for its

support of the Foundation’s “Give Hope a New Home” capital campaign in theUpstate Cancer Center’s rooftop healing garden.

Delfanian said, “Until we hear the words,‘There is a cure for breast cancer,’ I willbe duct taping and sticking it to breastcancer the best way I know how.”

The Upstate Medical University Founda-tion, Upstate Council, faculty, medicalstaff, other employees, Upstate Advo-cates, volunteers and Foundation board members of Upstate Medical University(“The Upstate Family”) have contributedmore than $3.97 million to the CancerCenter Capital Campaign.

Generous individual donors have contributed more than $5.1 million.

Corporations and foundations have contributed more than $1.75 million.

Examples of some of the major corporate and organizational supporterswith pledges of $30,000 or more include Advocates for Upstate Medical University, Bart-Rich, Carroll’s Corporation, CNY Infusion Services, COR Development Co., Eastern StatesHyundai, Greater SyracuseRealtors/Mortgage Bankers/HomeBuilders, Hancock & Estabrook,

Harrison Center Associates, Hotel Skyler, Key Bank, M&T Bank,McLane Northeast Grocery Distributors,PPC, Price Chopper Supermarkets,SEFCU, Sutton Real Estate Company,TOPS Markets, Upstate Department of Neurosurgery, Upstate Departmentof Orthopedic Surgery, Upstate Department of Pathology, Upstate Department of Radiation Oncology and Woodbine Group.

Examples of some of the major foundationand association supporters with gifts orpledges of $30,000 or more include Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY, Golub Foundation, Hope for Heather, Horwood C. & Alene S. JonesFoundation, Jewish Community Founda-tion of CNY, Kinney Drugs Foundation, Kiwanis Club Ontario Division, LockheedMartin Employees Federated Fund, Lukie’s Soul Foundation, Paige’s ButterflyRun, Inc., Salt City Road Warriors,

Syracuse University Sport ManagementClub, The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation, The Saint Agatha Foundation,Upstate Medical University Foundation,Walmart Foundation and Wegman FamilyCharitable Foundation.

The central New York community at large has contributed more than $2.5million. These community gifts include1,193 tribute gifts and 111 grateful patientgifts. Revenue has also come from community fundraisers such as golftournaments, walk/runs, auctions, sporting events and bowling tournaments.

The campaign is currently at $14.2 million.

For more information about the campaign or how you can be involved,please contact us: 315-464-4416.

Variety of groups, individuals make donations

Roses for Breast Cancer: Stuck for a Cure

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f oundat ion for up s tat e

For the fifth consecutive year, the Foundation for Upstate Medical University will be the beneficiary of proceeds when Pat Martin, a retired licensed practical nurse from NorthSyracuse, celebrates her 72nd birthdayon the two-day, 72-mile Erie Canal Ridebicycle trek along the Old Erie CanalState Park Trail.

On Friday May 17, cyclists will begin their journey at the historic ButternutCreek aqueduct in Dewitt and travel 36miles to Erie Canal Village in Rome. The return trip to Dewitt will begin the following morning. Proceeds fromthe 2012 Erie Canal Ride totaled $8,800.Martin designated $7,300 for specialamenities and staff “wish list” items forthe infusion playroom at the Dr. WilliamJ. Waters Center for Children’s Cancerand Blood Disorders in the new UpstateCancer Center and $1,500 to the Physical

Medicine & Rehabilitation RecreationTherapy Fund that Martin established atthe Foundation. This year’s ride proceedswill continue support in these two areas.Martin organized the first Erie Canal Ridein 2009 after a successful recovery from

extensive back surgery. Her surgeon and friend, Richard Tallarico, MD, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Upstate, has participated as a cyclist in all four rides. The Erie CanalRide has raised nearly $40,000 over thepast four years to support pediatric services at Upstate Golisano Children’sHospital and the Upstate Cancer Centerand recreation therapy at Upstate University Hospital.

The Martin family is part of the Upstatefamily. Martin is a volunteer on UpstateUniversity Hospital’s 2N Rehabilitationunit; her daughters, Debbie Tafel andPatty Martin, granddaughter Kristy Martin, and grandson Chris Tafel are all Upstate employees.

For more information on the Erie CanalRide contact Pat Martin, 315-455-1192 oremail treesh1941@yahoo.com

Make plans for this year’s Erie Canal Ride May 17 & 18

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The Greater Syracuse Association of REALTORS and CNY Mortgage BankersAssociation made a generous $30,000multi-year pledge naming the integrative therapy room at the Upstate Cancer Center.

The integrative therapy room will offer a comforting space for outpatientsundergoing cancer treatment who consult an integrative medicine specialist or request mind-body therapies. It will feature a soothingcolor scheme, music, aromatherapy and a massage table. Patients can takefull advantage of integrative therapyservices aimed at comforting and supporting them throughout their cancer journey – from diagnosisthrough treatment and survivorship.

Pictured from left are Terry Toscano Shenfeld, Upstate Foundation; Lynnore Fetyko, CEO, Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors; and Stacy Dorn, secretary,

and Andy Doherty, treasurer, of the CNY Mortgage Bankers Association.

Donor Spotlight:

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Dr. Richard Tallarico with organizer Pat Martin

greater Syracuse Association of REAlToRS and CNy Mortgage Bankers Association

C a n c e r C e n t e r

SUNY Day

May 11Carol M. Baldwin A Night to Remember Annual Gala

May 18Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®

May 19Miracle Motorcycle Ride & BBQ*

June 2National Cancer Survivor’s Day Celebration*

June 817th Annual Paige’s Butterfly Run

June 14American Cancer Society Relay for Life

July 2011th Annual Lukie’s Holes for Hope Golf Open*

July 20Carol M. Baldwin “Gillie Girls” Triathlon

Aug. 25Ride for Cancer Care*

Sponsor:

To help ensure the future of NCSD or to support the Upstate Cancer Center please mail your donation to: Upstate Medical University Foundation, 326 CAB, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210. Make checks payable to: National Cancer Survivors Day Fund or the Upstate Cancer Center.

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National CancerSurvivors Day Celebration

Feel free to dress as yourfavorite animated

character. �ere will be aprize for the best costume!

Sunday, June 2 • 12 - 3:30 pmCheck-in time: 11:30 am

HHoolliiddaayy IInnnnEElleeccttrroonniiccss PPaarrkkwwaayy,, LLiivveerrppooooll,, NNYYCancer survivors of all ages are invited to A Celebration of Life. &is event is free forcancer survivors and their guests. Seating is limited and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

RSVP by calling Upstate Connect at 464-8668 or 800-464-8668 by May 25.

Sponsor:

To help ensure the future of NCSD or to support the Upstate Cancer Center please mail your donation to: Upstate Medical University Foundation, 326 CAB, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210. Make checks payable to: National Cancer Survivors Day Fund or the Upstate Cancer Center.

MUSIC • LUNCH • DOOR PRIZES

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UUSSFFOORR AA MMAAGGIICCAALL DDAAYY

National CancerSurvivors Day Celebration

Feel free to dress as yourfavorite animated

character. �ere will be aprize for the best costume!

Sunday, June 2 • 12 - 3:30 pmCheck-in time: 11:30 am

Holiday InnElectronics Parkway, Liverpool, NYCancer survivors of all ages are invited to A Celebration of Life. &is event is free forcancer survivors and their guests. Seating is limited and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

RSVP by calling Upstate Connect at 464-8668 or 800-464-8668 by May 25.

Sponsor:

To help ensure the future of NCSD or to support the Upstate Cancer Center please mail your donation to: Upstate Medical University Foundation, 326 CAB, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210. Make checks payable to: National Cancer Survivors Day Fund or the Upstate Cancer Center.

MUSIC • LUNCH • DOOR PRIZES

JJ OOII NN

UUSSFFOORR AA MMAAGGIICCAALL DDAAYY

National CancerSurvivors Day Celebration

Feel free to dress as yourfavorite animated

character. �ere will be aprize for the best costume!

Sunday, June 2 • 12 - 3:30 pmCheck-in time: 11:30 am

Holiday InnElectronics Parkway, Liverpool, NYCancer survivors of all ages are invited to A Celebration of Life. &is event is free forcancer survivors and their guests. Seating is limited and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

RSVP by calling Upstate Connect at 464-8668 or 800-464-8668 by May 25.

SaveThe Dates!Photo 1: Among those who stopped at the

Upstate booth were Karen Moore, from

Public Relations at ESF; Maureen Fellows,

from Government Relations at ESF;

Stephanie DeJoseph from Upstate's

Marketing and Communications

department; Chairman of the SUNY

Board of Trustees H. Carl McCall,

former state comptroller; Linda Veit,

project manager for the Upstate Cancer

Center; and Clair Dunn,Communications

Director at ESF.

Photo 2: New York Senator

Kenneth P. LaValle, R-Port Jefferson,

chairman of the Senate Higher Education

Committee (second from right) with

Upstate President David Smith, MD

(left), Veit and DeJoseph.

In photo 3, Smith is joined by SUNY

Chancellor Nancy Zimpher PhD.

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Knowing changes everything.SMwww.upstate.edu

750 East Adams Street l Syracuse, NY 13210 C a n c e r C e n t e r

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Upstate Medical University highlighted the Cancer Center during SUNY Day in February in Albany. Legislators visited to learn about the services that will be contained within the building that is rising in front of Upstate University Hospital in downtown Syracuse.