Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Roswell Park Cancer Center has a new resource center, courtesy of the fundraising efforts of The 11 Day Power Play, a hockey fundraising event held annually at the LECOM Harborcenter.
The 11 Day Power Play Cancer Resource Center, located on the first floor of the hospital, is a place where patients and their families can find information, support, comfort and connection at Roswell Park. Services of this new space include patient education, wellness activities and materials for education and comfort.
"Walking into this new space today was incredibly beautiful and more than we had expected. As a cancer survivor and being a patient here at Roswell Park, I know the importance of supporting the services that come out of the center. Here at Roswell Park, it's visible now, it's large, it's beautiful. It has the most amazing staff and volunteers that everyday that put their heart and soul into taking care of patients. We are very proud. Having our name on the center is extremely important to our community and I can't wait for all the patients to enjoy, have respite and have hope through this center," said Amy Lesakowski, co-founder of The 11 Day Power Play.
"It's an amazing day, we've expanded our services and our space," says Roswell Park Resource Center Manager Martha Hickey. "Cancer diagnosis can turn a world upside down and so what we want to make sure is that we have a place for them to come where they can have a listening ear. They can sit down, they can have some one on one conversations and be able to really reap all the benefits that Roswell Park has to offer to them."
Roswell Park has expanded its footprint, also opening the Elevate Salon earlier this year. The 11 Day Power Play Cancer Resource Center will work in conjunction with the salon to offer wig and hair coverings to cancer patients experiencing hair loss due to treatment. In both spaces, visitors will feel the warmth and knowledge of our compassionate staff and volunteers.
In addition to the resource center, the 11 Day Power Play have also helped contribute to a new cell therapy center. This lab will allow Roswell Park researchers to advance cell therapy options for patients in Western New York and around the world.
"Research is at the heart also of what we do. We want to find a cure for cancer and we are able to support The 11 Day Power Play Call Therapy Center, which is here at Roswell Park. We have scientists and doctors working really hard every single day trying to find a cure and we're grateful to be able to help them with all their work and give them what they need to continue to fight this disease," said Lesakowski.
In addition to donations from The 11 Day Power Play, the new cancer resource center was made possible thanks to donations from the community, the Buffalo Sabres, the West Herr Automotive Group, Michael and Michelle Gacioch and The Zeron Foundation.
Over the last six years, The 11 Day Power Play events have contributed over $5 million to help research and resources like this to Roswell Park. They also contribute to Camp Good Days, Oishei Children's Hospital and the Make A Wish Foundation.