For Immediate Release
July 14, 2008

Picnic in the Park for Sarcoma Patients

BUFFALO, NY – Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) will host its first Picnic in the Park for sarcoma patients and family, friends and caregivers on Saturday, July 19, 11 am – 2 pm, in the Kaminski Park & Gardens at Roswell Park. The event is part of the worldwide Team Sarcoma Initiative designed to raise awareness about sarcoma, a rare cancer of the connective tissues.

Roswell Park festivities will include a picnic provided by Catering by Susan Schmitt and a free “Sarcoma Knows No Borders” awareness bracelet and souvenir t-shirt. After lunch, participants will have the opportunity to create an ornament for the Roswell Park Tree of Hope using a photograph of a loved one touched by sarcoma. The event also will officially launch Roswell Park’s “Sarcoma Support,” a formal support group for patients and families undergoing treatment for sarcoma. Parking is free.

The picnic is part of Team Sarcoma Initiative where 30 medical centers, 21 advocacy groups and 21 patient and family groups will hold events in 12 countries. The outreach effort is designed to educate the public about sarcoma and raise funds to support sarcoma research, clinical trials and patient and family services. Sarcoma is a cancer of the connective tissues, such as nerves, muscles and bone. Approximately 11,590 Americans will be diagnosed with sarcoma and 4,890 will die from this disease in 2008.

“This picnic is a wonderful opportunity for patients, families and the cancer care team to organize new support services for patients undergoing treatment, celebrate survivorship and generally have a good time,” said John M. Kane, III, MD, Department of Surgical Oncology, RPCI. “Roswell Park is committed to raising awareness about sarcoma and other rare soft tissue tumors.”

For reservations or information, call 845-3284.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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