BUFFALO, NY – New York State Governor George E. Pataki has appointed E. Philip Saunders to the Board of Directors at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) Corporation. He will serve until April 2006.

Mr. Saunders is the Chairman of PCORE Electric Company, Inc., Leroy, NY, and is the owner of Essex Property Management, which includes over 100 commercial properties and three retirement communities in Cleveland, OH, Charlotte, NC and Peoria, AZ and is part owner of Youngblood Disposal Company, Rochester, NY. Mr. Saunders is Chairman of the Board of Directors for Griffith Energy, Inc. and Genesee Regional Bank, both in Rochester, NY and is an owner of Bristol Harbour Resort, Canandaigua, NY, Swain Ski Center, Swain, NY, and Sugar Creek Farms, Dansville, NY.

Mr. Saunders has contributed his business acumen and resources to an impressive list of Western New York community organizations. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross of Rochester, Genesee Valley Trust Company, Lewis Tree Service, National Association of Truckstop Operators Foundation, Paul Smiths College, Rochester Blue Cross & Blue Shield, among others.

“Mr. Saunder’s impeccable credentials and a strong business background are valuable attributes which will serve the Roswell Park Board of Directors well,” said David C. Hohn, MD, President & CEO, RPCI. “The Institute is making progress in the fight against cancer through innovative research, progressive prevention efforts, and novel cancer therapies and we are grateful that Mr. Saunders has chosen to use his time and talents to help the Institute realize its mission.”

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. For more information, visit the RPCI website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.