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Largest crowd ever set to attend Upstate's National Cancer Survivor Day Celebration June 12

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- The Upstate Cancer Center will host more than 850 cancer survivors of all ages, their families and friends at its 20th annual National Cancer Survivors Day event Sunday, June 12 at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park in Syracuse. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. after regular zoo hours are over.

“This is an event with one agenda item only--to celebrate cancer survivors,” said Matthew Capogreco, program and event coordinator for Upstate Cancer Center. “Often we give support through charity events, galas and runs, but this day is just for recognizing the patients from Upstate and all over central New York.”

This is by far the largest crowd to ever attend Upstate’s National Cancer Survivors Day in its 20-year history.  One of the main reasons for that milestone is the event’s location this year, the Onondaga County-supported Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Previous events were held in area hotels.

“We are pleased to be a part of Upstate Cancer Center’s 20th National Cancer Survivors Day,” said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney. “The cancer survivors and their families have gone through so much and this is a small way we can help them have a great night out and just enjoy themselves.”

“It’s a spectacular location for us as we get to accommodate many more people, but also highlight one of our region’s treasures,” said Capogreco.  “Cancer survivors and their guests will be able to leisurely stroll the zoo, and enjoy a wonderful Sunday afternoon.”

The late afternoon event also will feature live animal demos, music, photo booths, face painting, tattoo stations, cotton candy, popcorn and an ice cream sundae bar.

The milestone anniversary is something Capogreco says is also important to recognize.  “For two decades we have supported the cancer survivors of the region and are grateful for the support they have showed us,” he said. “We plan to be there for them for many more years to come.”

Unknown to many, the National Cancer Survivors Foundation defines a survivor as anyone living with a history of cancer - from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life.

National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration of life that is held in hundreds of communities nationally and globally during the month of June. It serves as a celebration for survivors, inspiration for those recently diagnosed, support for families affected as well as community outreach.

Registration for Upstate's National Cancer Survivors Day event is closed.

About the Upstate Cancer Center

The Upstate Cancer Center, opened in 2014, features some of the most advanced technology aimed a fighting cancer.  A highlight of the Upstate Cancer Center is new technology that is now available to treat cancer. The Vero SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy System) is for advanced treatment of lung, liver and prostate cancer. It facilitates the delivery of extremely high doses of radiation to complex tumors located in critical areas while protecting neighboring organs, improving both safety and accuracy. TrueBeam, an advanced radiotherapy option lessens treatment time, improving patient convenience.

Add these new technologies to Upstate’s existing arsenal of cancer-fighting technology--Tomotherapy, Calypso, Gamma Knife Perfextion and RapidArc--and the Cancer Center provides an unmatched breadth of radiotherapy options in the region.

Encompassing 90,000 square feet, the facility features infusion chairs, four linear accelerator vaults for radiation therapy, a high-tech intraoperative suite, which includes a 3T MRI, a four-season rooftop healing garden, meditation room, family resource center, multidisciplinary practice locations and private space for genetic, financial and nutrition counseling services.  The center is also home to Dr. William J. Waters Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders.

Upstate provides treatment for all forms of cancer, including blood, bone, brain, breast, colon, endocrine, genitourinary, gynecologic, liver, bladder, pancreas, lung, chest, prostate, thyroid, and cancers and blood disorders associated mostly with children, including leukemia, brain and bone tumors and sickle cell.

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