Comprehensive cancer care doesn’t begin or end at medical treatment. It encompasses the full spectrum of mental, emotional and spiritual wellness for our patients and their loved ones. When you support Roswell Park, you’re providing programs that bring hope, access and deep compassion to our patients.
Young Adults with Cancer
Efforts to improve patients’ quality of life spans dozens of programs of all types and sizes, addressing myriad needs cancer patients and their loved ones face. One group that benefits from these programs is the young adult community at Roswell Park.
“We’re an extra hand to hold while people are going through the chaos of a cancer diagnosis and then helping them navigate life into survivorship,” says Ashley King, Wellness Program Coordinator for the Young Adult Program. “Your 20s and 30s are a really challenging time of your life, even without cancer.”
Donor funds provided for these programs — and many more!
- Psychosocial Support – bringing mental health care to patients, caregivers and families
- Fertility Preservation – providing education and financial support to eligible patients whose treatment may impact their fertility post-cancer treatment
- Patient Outreach – welcoming new young adult patients into the fold, connecting them with resources and opportunities available at Roswell Park and in the community
- Child Life Program – caring for the children of cancer patients, helping them understand their parent’s situation in a family-led and age-appropriate way
Young Adult Programs at Roswell Park have steadfast support from quality-of-life donations and longtime donor, Joe Curatolo. Joe and his wife Kathy, who passed away in 2022, had a lifetime of love thanks to excellent care at Roswell Park.
“Roswell Park saved Kathy’s life at age 16 and so many other people,” Joe said, explaining their connection to young people facing cancer. “I want to hear what their needs are and give access to as many patients as possible.” Joe continues to support many programs geared toward young adult and pediatric patients, especially through the dedicated fundraising of their Ride for Roswell team, Kids Just Want to Have Fun.
"The Young Adult program has provided me with a space and a community full of people that can related to what I’m going through, even though all of our cancer experiences are different. It gave me a different sense of purpose and belonging in one of the most isolating seasons of my life."
– Savannah Forell, breast cancer patient
Quality-of-Life Programs
Donor support fully funds more than 50 Quality-of-Life Programs annually, including the following.
New Era Cap Foundation Elevate Salon
The New Era Cap Foundation Elevate Salon is a specialty salon for cancer patients experiencing hair loss due to treatment. The spa-like space welcomes patients with warmth as they’re supported by our knowledgeable and compassionate staff and volunteers.
Creative Arts Team
Roswell Park’s Creative Arts Team provides opportunities for patients and loved ones to reduce anxiety, depression, pain and fatigue through a range of creative self-expression projects.
Scalp Cooling Program
Many patients’ cancer treatment includes the reality of hair loss. Eligible patients have an opportunity to take advantage of scalp cooling technology which has helped many patients retain some hair or help with hair regrowth.
“Whatever your cancer is, they're going to treat it, but they treat the whole person and they carry the family as well. I think that is really important for people to understand when they come to a comprehensive cancer center like Roswell Park.”
– Julie Alford, Roswell Park patient and Alliance Community Board member
Chapter 2 Cancer Survivor Workshop
Cancer survivors, patients, caregivers and loved ones are invited for an inspiring and informational workshop series to bring folks with similar experiences together and to learn from experts and one another’s hard earned wisdom.