Upstate Cancer Center

01/27/2026

We’re taking a moment to celebrate four incredible Malignant Hematology nurses who truly go above and beyond!

Shoutout to Liz Hill, Destiny Pagan, Julie Grimsley, and Chris Trombley for organizing and delivering an exceptional staff education session on CAR T therapy. They continue to be a resource to other nurses in navigating patient care. Their unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to our patients and our team are invaluable.

We’re grateful for all you do, and proud to celebrate the impact you make! 💙

01/26/2026

Cancer Center Chaplain's Corner: Sometimes the hardest words to say are the smallest, the simplest, the most direct: yes, no, help. Why is that?

Take help, for example. Why is it so hard to ask for what we need? Maybe it’s not as difficult for you as it is for me, but I’ll twist myself into knots to avoid asking for help. I know I need help. I know you do, too.

Why is it so hard? Are we afraid of looking foolish? Of being needy? Of admitting we can’t manage this complicated hand of cards we’ve been dealt on our own?

What if we can’t manage it on our own?

Practice saying it with me. Help. Help. Help. Help. Help.

That great modern-day saint, Mr. Rogers, told children who were afraid to look for “the helpers.” They’re out there. Chances are, you’ve been one of them. I know I have. We most likely know from firsthand experience that the helpers are good, kind people.

But, still, if the moment comes when we recognize that we can’t keep all the plates spinning on our own, that we’re struggling, it can take every ounce of courage inside us to say the one small word: help.

If you’d like someone to practice saying “help,” Chaplain Tom and I are here. We offer spiritual companionship, supportive listening, and even some role-playing, if that would be helpful—no pun intended! We’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you. If you’d like, you can call us at 315-464-4687.

01/24/2026

Cancer deaths among Americans under 50 are declining, but one alarming trend stands out: colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined, underscoring the importance of screening and awareness.

The top causes of cancer death in Americans under age 50 have fallen, but the notable exception was rising colorectal cancer deaths, according to researchers.

01/23/2026

Our Adult Hematology/Oncology team is hosting a fundraiser you won’t want to miss! From now until February 25, shop exclusive fundraiser apparel (3 awesome designs!) and help make a real difference for our patients.

All proceeds directly benefit the Upstate Cancer Center Patient Assistance Fund, helping patients and families with essential needs during their cancer journey.

💻 Visit our website to shop and support - https://www.storessimple.com/pagedesigns/groupproducts.php?prodgroup_id=40067&prodgroupbypass=true
👕 Rock your gear
💪 Support our patients
💙 Spread the love

01/22/2026

Join us for Living With Incurable Cancer, a patient-led support group that gives those with a non-curable cancer the chance to connect with others who understand. This is a safe space to share experiences, gain support, and find strength in community.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, January 28, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, at Upstate Cancer Center in Conference Room C1076 A/B/C or via Webex.

Please email Carolyn Walker at walkerca@upstate.edu or Tracey Glidden at gliddent@upstate.edu to register.

01/21/2026

Upstate Cancer Center is looking for two Medical Assistants to join our Adult Hematology/Oncology team. If you’re passionate about patient care and want to make a meaningful difference every day, this could be the role for you.

Hear directly from our Medical Assistants in this video as they share why they love working at the Cancer Center.

💻 Apply today and be part of a team that truly makes an impact. Search for job numbers 87730 or 87448 - https://careers.upstate.edu/home

01/20/2026

A HUGE thank you to the Syracuse Crunch and their amazing fans for raising $9,638 to support cancer care and research at Upstate Cancer Center! Through Pink in the Rink, Shine a Light on Lung Cancer, and Hockey Fights Cancer, the Crunch community once again came together to make a meaningful impact. We’re grateful for this continued partnership. Together, we fight cancer! 🏒💙

01/19/2026

Cancer Center Chaplain's Corner:

Winter has barely started and already we’ve received twice as much snow as we usually have. As I was out the other night shoveling for the umpteenth time, after yet another storm, I thought to myself… I’ve had enough already.

I put my nose to the grindstone – the shovel – and continued to work. After a while, I took a much needed break. It was about 9:00 at night and as I looked about, I saw that the snow had stopped falling, the moon was out and shining brightly in the sky, and the snow on the ground and in the driveway, reflecting the moonlight, was simply beautiful. In this moment of quiet solitude, I experienced a feeling of profound peace.

Later, as I thought about this, I understood that all of us experience occasions in our lives when we have had enough, when we feel overwhelmed and may find it difficult to weather another storm. If this is what you are experiencing, our hope is that you will be able to take that much needed break and look about. As you do, may you experience something that speaks to your heart and spirit. In that moment, may you be filled with an abundant measure of peace.

If you would like to speak with a Chaplain, please ask your medical provider or nurse here at the Cancer Center to reach out to Spiritual Care. We would welcome an opportunity to speak with you. If you’d like, you can call us at (315) 464-4687.

- Chaplains Tom and Kate

01/15/2026

Each month, we’re highlighting a beloved pet featured in our 2026 Pets Wear Pink Calendar. Our January stars are Larkin and Molly, and today is extra special because it’s Larkin’s 8th birthday! 🎂

Larkin joined her family at age two after her show dog days came to an end. Due to hip dysplasia, Larkin was unable to be bred - but what she lacks in a show ring career, she more than makes up for in heart. Larkin is a sweet, gentle soul whose greatest joy is being close to her people. She has been a certified pet therapy dog for almost 2 years and loves her job.

By her side is Molly, who will turn 8 on June 26, and has been with her family since she was a puppy. She came from the same breeder as Larkin (but not blood related). Sweet but undeniably bossy, Molly is fiercely independent and never shy about telling her sister (and her people) exactly what to do. Her favorite day was the day Larkin joined the family, a moment Molly still considers the best gift she’s ever received.

The Pets Wear Pink Campaign was a collaborative effort between Upstate Cancer Center, Upstate Marketing, Upstate IMT, and the Upstate Foundation. Through the sale of pet bandanas and 2026 calendars, the campaign raised more than $6,000 to support programs and activities at Upstate Cancer Center.

01/15/2026

For the first time ever, 70% of people now live five or more years after their cancer diagnosis!

Hear what this breakthrough means for patients, families, and the future of cancer care in an interview with Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer of the American Cancer Society.

Watch the interview and learn more.

The five-year relative survival for all cancers combined has reached a milestone, according to the American Cancer Society.

01/14/2026

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

ℹ️Get informed.
👩‍⚕️Get screened.
💉Get vaccinated.

For more information about cervical cancer, prevention, and HPV vaccination, please visit https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer

01/13/2026

For the last couple of weeks, our Oswego Hematology Oncology patients have been receiving a special gift: a cozy blanket and a candy cane, all thanks to the generosity of Danette Stevens.

Danette donates these items every year in memory of her best friend, who was a patient at our Oswego facility. This year, she brought in an amazing 235 blankets! We are so grateful for Danette’s dedication to our patients and for the way she honors her friend’s memory through kindness.