Theatre Alliance of Buffalo Launches 2016 Applause for Hope Program to Support Roswell Park

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Theatre Alliance of Buffalo (TAB) has launched its 2016 Applause for Hope program, a collaborative fundraising initiative that supports both Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Roswell Park) and TAB. From mid-January to mid-March, a majority of TAB member theaters will be collecting post-performance donations. This year marks the fourth year of Applause for Hope, which, to date, has raised more than $26,000 for Roswell Park.

“We’re pleased to support the community that has been so supportive of our theaters,” TAB president Richard Satterwhite said.

A portion of the funds raised from Applause for Hope in 2016 will support the creation of a Pediatric Hematology Oncology Outpatient Center at Roswell Park. The new and expanded center will provide care for infants, children and young adults in a bright and airy setting overlooking Kaminski Park. The center will be designed for the special needs of children who are dealing with life-threatening or debilitating chronic illnesses, and the location will also allow for easy access to radiation therapy, Chemo Infusion and gamma knife services. The project is a joint partnership with the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital and the University at Buffalo.

“This critically needed expansion will help us provide the most exceptional care to our young patients in a state-of-the art facility, located in an easily accessible, convenient location,” said Candace Johnson, President and CEO, Roswell Park. “We are relying on donations from the community to make this initiative possible, and the generous support from the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo and all those who have donated to Applause for Hope has and continues to be vital to our efforts.”

Patrons can visit any of the following theaters to make a donation: Brazen-Faced Varlets, Buffalo Laboratory Theatre, Buffalo Laboratory Theatre, Buffalo United Artists, CSz Buffalo, Irish Classical Theatre Company, Jewish Repertory Theatre of Western New York, Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions, The Kavinoky Theatre, Lancaster Opera House, MusicalFare Theatre, New Phoenix Theatre, O'Connell & Company Productions, Paul Robeson Theatre, Red Thread Theatre, Road Less Traveled Productions, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Shea's Performing Arts Center, Subversive Theatre Collective, Theatre of Youth, Torn Space Theater and Ujima Company, Inc. For a complete list of shows, performance dates, times and ticket information, please visit the TAB website:www.theatreallianceofbuffalo.com.

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About Roswell Park: The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is 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. The Institute 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 www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.

About TAB: The Theatre Alliance of Buffalo (TAB) is a consortium of 21 Western New York professional theatre companies dedicated to promoting the welfare of its member organizations and appreciation of the art of theatre.