The Upstate Foundation is partnering with iHeartMedia to conduct Call In For Cancer, a first-time fundraiser to benefit the Upstate Cancer Center on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The fundraiser, celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Cancer Center, will be broadcast live from radio station B104.7 from 5 a.m .to 6 p.m.

Proceeds from Call In For Cancer will support unmet needs of patients being treated at the Upstate Cancer Center. Since opening five years ago, the Cancer Center has made important progress and investments in clinical care, patient programs and life-changing research.

Patients who are treated at the Upstate Cancer Center, their family members and health care providers will offer stories of hope, courage and caring during Call In For Cancer.

The Upstate Cancer Center’s fifth anniversary is giving Eileen Pezzi, vice president for development at Upstate Medical University, an opportunity to reflect on the many ways in which the Upstate Foundation has supported the center since its doors opened in 2014.

“In addition to raising $17 million as part of the capital campaign, the Foundation and its many donors have provided financial support for efforts such as the center’s healing garden, therapeutic music program, cancer research, and several patient and family assistance funds,” Pezzi noted.

Yet, while the Foundation’s involvement is very gratifying, nothing is more rewarding to Pezzi than when a patient expresses appreciation for the care he or she received. “Call In For Cancer will let our patients tell their powerful stories. Listeners will get a chance to hear from people who lived through difficult experiences and the stories will give strength to those still going through tough times.”

“The event will give the community a glimpse inside this incredible health care facility,” added Foundation development officer Bethann Kistner. “It will show our community some of the amazing work that is done here to heal those with cancer and help families.”

Call In For Cancer will feature radio personalities Tom Owens and Becky Palmer conducting interviews with patients, family members and Upstate leadership. Jeffrey Bogart, MD, interim director and Gennady Bratslavsky, MD, deputy director of the Cancer Center, will share their experiences in interviews with the radio hosts.

Donations can also be made online now and throughout Call In For Cancer by visiting www.upstatefoundation.org/CallInForCancer. Learn more about the patients who will be featured in the broadcast and join the conversation during Call In For Cancer on the Upstate Foundation and Upstate Cancer Center Facebook pages.

For more information contact the Foundation at 315-464-4416.