The Italian American Charity Golf Association recently presented UPMC Chautauqua WCA with a $50,000 check, proceeds from their 2017 golf tournament and other fundraising activities.
It was the last installment of the Italian American’s three-year $150,000 pledge to enhance local cancer care at UPMC Chautauqua WCA through the purchase of the Carestream DRX-Ascend System.
“Since 1971 The Italian-American Charity Golf Association has raised in excess of $1.35 million while remaining committed in our mission of beating cancer. During this span cancer treatments and cancer care have improved due to technological, medicinal, and diagnostic advancements. We are proud to be able to assist in these advancements. Our newest three year pledge will conclude with the celebration of our Golden 50th Anniversary where we hope to surpass 1.5 million dollars in donations; an accomplishment which we are very proud of,” said Joe Paterniti, chair of the Italian American Charity Golf Association. “I wanted to extend a grateful thank you to all of our current committee as well as those who have served our organization in the past. Without their dedication these initiatives and benchmarks could not have been accomplished. The continued generous support of our community, businesses, and individuals reaffirms our dedication. They have been by our side in this mission the entire journey. Together we stand as one in this fight! As UPMC Chautauqua WCA continues to improve cancer care, diagnostics, and treatment, the Italian American Charity Golf Association stands together with them with our continued local commitment.”
The CARESTREAM DRX-Ascend digital radiography system saves space, reduces installation costs and offers positioning flexibility with a portable, wireless DRX detector, floor-mount or ceiling-mount tube, an elevating float-top table, availability with TechVision technology and an optional Autotracking feature.
Members of the Italian American Charity Golf Association present a $50,000 check to Betsy Wright, UPMC Chautauqua WCA president/CEO, representing the proceeds from the Italian American’s 2017 fundraising activities and the last installment of a three-year, $150,000 pledge to enhance local cancer care at UPMC Chautauqua WCA through the purchase of the Carestream DRX-Ascend. From left are Todd D’Angelo, committee member of the Italian American Charity Golf Association; Anthony Cusimano, committee member of the Italian American Charity Golf Association; Wright; Joe Paterniti, chair of the Italian American Charity Golf Association; and John Foti, committee member of the Italian American Charity Golf Association.
The Italian American Charity Golf Association’s new three year commitment of $150,000 will be towards an oncology treatment room at UPMC Chautauqua WCA. The room will consist of a treatment bed/recliner, infusion center, visitors chair and TV. The room will provide for a private area for those diagnosed with cancer requiring medical oncology to be infused with chemotherapy agents. Safety is a primary concern, so constant observation will be provided for the patient from a team of licensed oncology staff. This process can take up to as many as eight hours to complete; therefore the comfort of this room for a patients emotional and physical state is critical.
“On behalf of UPMC Chautauqua WCA and those battling cancer whom we are so privileged to serve, I want to thank the Italian American for their unwavering dedication,” said Betsy T. Wright, president/CEO of UPMC Chautauqua WCA. “This technology will enhance our cancer program and truly benefit many of our patients. We are very excited for their new pledge towards an oncology treatment room. Providing an area for patients to relax while ensuring them of their safety is of utmost importance.”
The 48th annual Italian American Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 7-9 at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville. Since its inception in 1971, the Italian American Charity Golf Association has contributed more than $1.35 million to support local cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care.
The Italian American Charity Golf Association event was the brainstorm of a small group of community-minded men who wanted to raise money for a local charity. Their dream was to create a golf tournament where one member of each two-man team was of Italian descent and the partner was of another nationality. Charitable gifts to the IA are accepted online through PayPal at www.IACharityGolf.com or can be mailed to: Italian American, PO Box 352, Jamestown, NY 14702-0352.