About the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation

About the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation

The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that manages all donations made to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Since its inception, over $570 million has been contributed to benefit Roswell Park's research, education and patient-care programs.

Mission

To maximize dollars available for the most promising lifesaving research, treatment and prevention programs, while supporting the psychosocial needs of patients and families touched by cancer. Fundraising events and initiatives are carried out through a partnership between committed Roswell Park Alliance volunteers and Foundation staff.

History

In 1989, Katherine Gioia, then four years old, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. While Katherine was being treated at Roswell Park, Anne, her mother, began doing volunteer work in the newly created Development Department established to raise private sector financial support for the Institute. She came up with the idea of the Alliance, Roswell's first community-wide volunteer organization, as a memorial to Katherine, who lost her battle with cancer less than one year after being diagnosed.

It evolved into something I never imagined. I'm amazed at how much people are willing to give of themselves to make a difference. Anne Gioia

Anne knew she could not do this project alone and asked her sister-in-law, Donna Gioia, to co-found this organization. The idea was to call on some friends and associates and do something nice for a facility that had become a big part of their lives. In 1990, they compiled a list of 55 friends and business people they hoped would be interested in an organization to raise funds and public awareness of Roswell Park. They were overwhelmed when 50 said "yes”.

In 1991, the Alliance Foundation was established.

View Alliance Foundation boards

We ensure that every donation is put to the best possible use, and have been recognized five straight years by Charity Navigator for those efforts.

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