Russell Salvatore Provides Free TV Service for Patients and Families

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Russell Salvatore is providing free TV service for patients and their families as the result of a generous donation to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. The prominent Buffalo businessman’s gift of $400,000 will give all patients admitted at Roswell Park a sense of comfort and allow them to enjoy television free-of-charge throughout their hospital stay.

“Patients at Roswell Park are already dealing with enough by battling this terrible disease,” he said. “I feel fortunate that I am able to help them in some way, and I hope this gift will give them one less thing that they have to think about. My family and I have been truly blessed, but I am even more honored to be able to give back to the community I love so much.”

Salvatore, the owner of Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More and Salvatore’s Grand Hotel, made the announcement Thursday at Roswell Park. During the event, Salvatore tore up a mockup of a patient’s TV bill — a bill that patients will no longer be receiving, thanks to his generous donation. Attendees also watched a warm and welcoming video message from Salvatore that patients and families will see when they turn on the TVs in their hospital rooms.

“We are so grateful for Mr. Salvatore’s support of Roswell Park and our patients,” Candace Johnson, PhD, President and CEO, Wallace Family Chair of Translational Research, said. “Knowing that the social and emotional well-being of our patients is vital to their overall health, we put a tremendous value on quality of life here at Roswell Park. This gift will give our patients comfort and allow them to feel a little more at home.”

As a proud Western New Yorker, Salvatore has supported Roswell Park in numerous other ways and has been a loyal donor for 16 years. He has supported All Star Night, a black tie gala benefiting Roswell Park, The Ride For Roswell and Herd About Buffalo, a public art project that supports 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.