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CNY Community Foundation awards $100,000 to Upstate Cancer Center

The Central New York Community Foundation awarded the Foundation for Upstate Medical University $100,000 to be used toward construction of the infusion playroom at the Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders to be housed in the new Upstate Cancer Center outpatient facility. Upstate was among eight charitable organizations in Onondaga County to share $320,030 in grants from the Community Foundation’s unrestricted and field of interest funds.

The hallmark of the new Dr. William J. Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders will be the infusion “playroom” with three distinct areas designed and furnished with the interests of infants and toddlers, children and teens in mind. The space will be unique from floor to ceiling. Vibrant, interactive, park and city-scape panels will surround the space, and flooring featuring an inlaid vinyl “river” with interactive medallions flows through the space.  Overhead, a light-filled treetop, cloud and sky canopy completes the room’s transformation into a cheerful, park-themed experience.

“These creative design elements and special features will welcome the Cancer Center’s youngest patients into a child-friendly, non-threatening environment where they can play, socialize with peers or relax during their chemotherapy and infusion treatments,” said Eileen Pezzi, vice president for development at Upstate.

Upstate provides the only comprehensive care for children with, and survivors of, childhood cancers and blood disorders within a 21-county region at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Dr. William J. Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders outpatient clinic.

Caption: Olive Sephuma, program officer, community grantmaking, and Peter Dunn, president & CEO, CNY Community Foundation present the $100,000 award to Upstate.