FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2008
Alicia J. Becker, 716-845-1027

Lockport resident plans hike of the Pacific Crest Trail to honor mother and raise needed dollars for cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute

(BUFFALO, NY)  When Justin Cassamo found out in May of 2006 that his mother, Paula Greck, had been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, he never felt more helpless. He didn't know quite where to start, but he knew he had to do something; and he knew that it had to be big.

"My mother has beautiful red hair, and when she lost it because of her chemotherapy treatment, I knew at that moment that cancer had made a new enemy – me," explained Cassamo. "Soon after that, I came up with the idea to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in my mother's honor."

To make his event official, 30-year-old Cassamo registered "Hike 4 Lives" as one of Roswell Park Cancer Institute's Team Cure community events. Each year, hundreds of community groups organize events to benefit cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park through the Team Cure program. His fundraiser is a unique way to help in the fight against cancer.

The Pacific Crest trail is one of the longest trails in the world, running from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington, for a total of 2,650 miles. Cassamo will hike every one of these miles (it could take him up to six months) for his mother, who is now in remission, while collecting pledges for Roswell Park.

"My trek will be a true test of mind, body and spirit," he said. "But in the end, it will all be worth it because the donations I collect will help find cancer cures."

Cassamo plans to begin his 2,650-mile trek on April 7. To make a donation to "Hike 4 Lives," and help Justin Cassamo reach his fundraising goal, please visit his online fundraising page at www.hike4lives.org. Information about "Hike 4 Lives" can also be found at www.TeamCure.com. As Cassamo makes his way along the Pacific Crest Trail, he will also be writing updates to his blog at www.Postholer.com/hike4lives.

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About Team Cure:   Team Cure was established to help community organizations raise funds for Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Groups that wish to create an event to benefit cancer research and patient care are assisted by Community Event Coordinators from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation who provide step-by-step instructions on how to host an event of their design. Each year, Team Cure community events raise over $700,000 for Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization formed to receive and administer funds supporting scientific and clinical research, state-of-the-art medical care, and patient-related activities at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation's first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI's website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.