Paige's Butterfly Run presents $210,000 donation for pediatric cancer care, research

For more than 20 years, runners have taken to the streets of downtown Syracuse the first weekend in June for Paige’s Butterfly Run--a fundraising run Chris Arnold and Ellen Yeomans created to honor their daughter who lost her fight to childhood cancer. The run has become the centerpiece of a year-round fundraising effort coordinated by the Paige’s board and supporters, raising more than $2 million to date to support cancer research and cancer care at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

This year’s Butterfly Run and associated events raised $210,000 to add to that amount. The run raises a large portion of the money to be donated, but other events contribute as well. These include the Peddling for Paige, a stationary cycling event, Pajamarama Days and individual efforts.

Arnold, Yeomans and their committee presented the check for $210,000 to children’s hospital staff Dec. 27 during a celebration to mark the success of the 2017 run. Included in that celebration were the Upstate Foundation, event sponsors and caregivers from Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and Upstate Cancer Center.

“Paige’s Butterfly Run supports a number of patient services, like the Child Life Program, social work, Cancer in the Classroom, and helping with unmet needs,” said Toni Gary, director of community relations at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and The Upstate Foundation. “The contributions from Paige’s Run have a direct impact on the families receiving care at Upstate, but also support research in the hope of ending childhood cancer for all.”

Contributions from Paige’s Butterfly Run and related activities are used for a wide range of Upstate initiatives. These initiatives support pediatric cancer care, cancer research, and families who are faced with the many challenges presented by a diagnosis of childhood cancer.

Some of the initiatives to benefit from this year’s gift include:

- The Paige’s Cancer Research Fund at Upstate.

- Paige’s Family Assistance Fund. This fund helps families at the Dr. William J. Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders who are having financial difficulties as a result of their child’s illness. The fund is also used for general assistance, including burial costs and a grief counseling program; sand therapy equipment and materials; equipment for hemophilia patients; Upstate’s Survival Wellness Clinic, which includes assistance to uninsured patients and for education of local and outlying physicians and other medical providers; neuropsychological testing for children with cancer; backpack comfort kits (which includes items such as toiletries, gift cards for food and gas) for newly diagnosed patients and their families; patient parking assistance.

- Paige Yeomans Arnold Memorial Endowment Fund. A portion of this permanent endowment, established with the Upstate Foundation, will be used in the future to fund research and provide financial assistance to families having difficulties due to their child’s illness.

- Paige’s Family Fun Fund. This fund provides the child life specialists at the Dr. William J. Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders with support to cover family needs, such as meals, and birthday and holiday celebrations.

The 2018 running of Paige’s Butterfly Run is set for Saturday, June 2, starting near the Federal Building on Franklin Street in downtown Syracuse. The run is held during the Syracuse’s annual Taste of Syracuse festival.