Upstate Cancer Center

Upstate Cancer Center The Upstate Cancer Center is the region’s most comprehensive resource for cancer care.
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Meet April’s Pets Wear Pink featured friend, Hal the alpaca, whose human is Upstate Medical Radiographer, Julie Tenkate....
04/29/2026

Meet April’s Pets Wear Pink featured friend, Hal the alpaca, whose human is Upstate Medical Radiographer, Julie Tenkate.

Hal is a goofy old soul at 22 years young, and he’s full of personality. He’s curious about everything you’re doing, but the moment you catch him watching, he’ll quickly turn away.

When Hal gets nervous (which is often), he actually hums. And nothing wins him over quite like his favorite treat, apple slices.

Out in the yard, Hal lives his best free-range life alongside his best friend, Skylight the sheep.

Julie shares that the family loves Hal’s goofy personality and easy-going nature.

The Pets Wear Pink Campaign was a collaborative effort among Upstate Cancer Center, Upstate Marketing, Upstate IMT, and the Upstate Foundation. Through the sale of pet bandanas and 2026 calendars, the campaign raised several thousand dollars to support programs and activities at Upstate Cancer Center.

We’re excited to share the first edition of Thriving Onward News - the Pediatric Sickle Cell Program Newsletter!This iss...
04/29/2026

We’re excited to share the first edition of Thriving Onward News - the Pediatric Sickle Cell Program Newsletter!

This issue features a special Patient Spotlight on Samantha Medina Gaston, whose story is truly inspiring. From academic success to pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse, Samantha reminds us that there is always hope and light ahead.

Read the newsletter to learn more about Upstate’s Sickle Cell Program, resources, and the incredible patients we’re honored to support.

https://www.upstate.edu/cancer/cancer-care/treatment-options/child-cancerblood/sickle-cell-program/index.php

Growing up in the 60’s, I remember the Beatles were a very popular group with some great hits. Their song – “Help” – was...
04/27/2026

Growing up in the 60’s, I remember the Beatles were a very popular group with some great hits. Their song – “Help” – was one that I loved back then, and I still do today. If you’re not familiar with it, the song talks about someone who, in their ‘younger days,’ didn’t need help in any way.’ The song goes on to say that ‘those days are gone, I’ve changed my mind and opened up the doors’ – recognizing there are times in our lives when we need help.

This past week, Chaplain Kate and I had the opportunity to participate in the Upstate Cancer Center’s Patient Health Fair. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time talking with patients, family members, and Cancer Center staff about Spiritual Care, and to hear about all the services available to patients. Representatives from Nutritional Counseling and Psychosocial-Oncology, as well as staff members from Palliative Care, Survivorship, and other programs, spent time with people talking about the services they provide. I hope you were able to speak with some of these folks and learn about the helpful programs and services that are available to you.

If not, I encourage you to inquire about them and take advantage of any services that you believe would be of benefit to you.

Just as the song “Help” says, it’s okay to ask for help, and there are lots of people here at the Cancer Center who want to be of help to you. And so, all of us invite you to ‘open up your door.’ We’re here and are willing to help you ‘get your feet back on the ground.’

You can call Chaplain Kate and me at (315) 464-4687, or you can ask your provider to reach out to us by contacting Spiritual Care. If you’d like to get more information about any of the other programs or services, just ask a staff member. They’ll be able to direct you to the right person. Or, you can find more information here: https://www.upstate.edu/cancer/cancer-care/support/index.php

Peace and blessings be with you.

Chaplain Tom

You’re invited to Spring in Harmony, an evening of music presented by Music as Healing. Featuring vocal and instrumental...
04/24/2026

You’re invited to Spring in Harmony, an evening of music presented by Music as Healing.

Featuring vocal and instrumental performances by medical students, this event brings the same "healing spirit" to the community that our students regularly share with patients at the Cancer Center. Join us tonight for an evening of joy and talent. See all the details below.

We’re proud to share that Upstate Cancer Center has been awarded a $20,000 Transportation Grant from the American Cancer...
04/24/2026

We’re proud to share that Upstate Cancer Center has been awarded a $20,000 Transportation Grant from the American Cancer Society! This is our sixth consecutive year receiving this vital support. 💙🚗

This funding helps remove barriers to transportation so patients can focus on what matters most, their treatment and recovery. Last year alone, this grant provided more than 700 rides to our facilities for patients across Central New York.

We’re grateful to the American Cancer Society for their continued partnership and commitment to improving access to cancer care. Read more about this award and another $30,000 grant received for lung cancer screening in the comments below! ⬇️

Join us at the Upstate Cancer Center Annual Research Retreat for two days dedicated to advancing cancer research through...
04/23/2026

Join us at the Upstate Cancer Center Annual Research Retreat for two days dedicated to advancing cancer research through discovery, innovation, and teamwork.

Hear from distinguished keynote speaker Olufunmilayo Olopade, MBBS, FAACR, OON, and engage in insightful scientific sessions, poster discussions, and networking opportunities. This event is free.

🗓️ Abstract submission deadline: May 6, 2026
🗓️ Registration deadline: June 4, 2026

Registration is now open! Learn more and register here:
https://meetinghand.com/e/2026-upstate-cancer-center-research-retreat/ -the-cancer-center-and-the-annual-retreat-6219

We spent the morning beautifying our campus in honor of Earth Day, and had some excellent help! Huge thanks to Upstate M...
04/22/2026

We spent the morning beautifying our campus in honor of Earth Day, and had some excellent help! Huge thanks to Upstate Medical University's Hero the Wolf, Syracuse University's Otto the Orange, and Syracuse Crunch's Crunchman for joining the cleanup crew. Everything is better with friends (and mascots!).

We weren’t just focused on a healthier planet, but healthier people too. Inside, our To***co Treatment Program and We Matter Lung Cancer Screening program were busy sharing helpful resources.

Representatives from our Spiritual Care and Palliative Care programs are hosting information tables this afternoon for o...
04/21/2026

Representatives from our Spiritual Care and Palliative Care programs are hosting information tables this afternoon for our Spring Fling Support Services Health Fair. Be sure to stop by and visit our other support service representatives throughout the week.

Check out the flyer below for full details!

Cancer Center Chaplain's Corner: Many patients have reflected to me in the past couple of weeks about how challenging th...
04/20/2026

Cancer Center Chaplain's Corner: Many patients have reflected to me in the past couple of weeks about how challenging the long, hard winter was and how the signs of spring we’re seeing all around us - green grass, buds on trees, daffodils, bluets, and cherry blossoms - convey a sense of hope and lightness that feels very welcome. Of course, we’re having plenty of “April Showers,” too, but many of you have told me that you much prefer the rain to the snow.

April is National Poetry Month, and I could not think of a more perfect poem to share than this gem by Langston Hughes, which makes me want to dance in puddles, stick my tongue out for raindrops, and proclaim along with the poet: “Me too: I love the rain!”

An April Rain Song, by Langston Hughes
Let the rain kiss you
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops
Let the rain sing you a lullaby
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk
The rain makes running pools in the gutter
The rain plays a little sleep song on our roof at night
And I love the rain.

Do you have any favorite poems for spring? Are there any signs of spring that bring hope and lightness to your heart? If so, feel free to share in the comments.

As always, please remember that Chaplain Tom and I are happy to stop by if you’re here for an appointment, meet in the Meditation Room, or talk on the phone. If there’s any way we can support you on your cancer journey, that’s what we’re here for. You can ask your provider to reach out to Spiritual Care, or feel free to call us at (315) 464-4687.

Blessings and peace,
Chaplain Kate

April is National Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Month, and a good reminder that paying attention to your body can ...
04/17/2026

April is National Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Month, and a good reminder that paying attention to your body can make all the difference.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and it can affect anyone.

Melanoma, one of the most aggressive types, doesn’t always show up where you’d expect. It can appear:
• Under your nails
• On the soles of your feet
• Inside the mouth or sinuses

But when caught early, melanoma has a survival rate of over 95%.
✔ Check your skin regularly
✔ Know your family history
✔ See a provider if you notice anything new or changing

💙 Prevention starts with awareness. Learn more about melanoma causes, risk factors, and prevention here: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention.html

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750 E Adams Street
Syracuse, NY
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