The Italian American Charity Golf Association recently presented UPMC Chautauqua with a $50,000 check, proceeds from their 2018 golf tournament and other fundraising activities. This was the first installment of the Italian American’s three-year $150,000 pledge to enhance local cancer care at UPMC Chautauqua within the medical oncology unit.
“On behalf of the Italian American Charity Golf Association, I am pleased to present this check of $50,000 to Brian Durniok, UPMC Chautauqua President. The check is a direct result of our 2018 fund raising efforts. We want to thank our individual donors as well as our sponsors for the continued support of our cancer care initiative. Over the last 48 years the Italian American Golf Association has donated 1.4 million dollars towards the fight against cancer. Please visit our website to donate as well as patronize our sponsors who continuously share our hope in this mission. www.iacharitygolf.com,” said Joe Paterniti, Italian American Golf Association committee member.
“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 continues to improve cancer care, diagnostics, and treatment, the IA stands together with them with our continued local commitment.”
From left to right, Jordan Coccagnia, Committee member of the Italian American Charity Golf Association, Brian Durniok, UPMC Chautauqua President, Joe Paterniti, Chair of the Italian American Charity Golf Association and Jordan Bardo, Committee member of the Italian American Charity Golf Association.
“UPMC Chautauqua is so appreciative of the wonderful support and generosity of the Italian American Charity Golf Association,” said Brian Durniok, UPMC Chautauqua President. Through their fundraising, they have helped the hospital purchase state of the art technology for Cancer care and treatment. This allows us to provide excellent Oncology Services locally that benefits patients throughout our region. This year marks the 49th year of support by the Italian American Charity and begins the first year of a 3-year $150,000 commitment to UPMC Chautauqua for continued expansion of local Oncology Services. We want to thank the IA for their past and future support and we are so grateful for their continued generosity.”
The Italian American Charity Golf Association’s new three-year commitment of $150,000 will be toward an oncology treatment room at UPMC Chautauqua. The room will consist of a treatment bed/recliner, infusion center, visitors chair and TV. This 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 8 hours to complete; therefore, the comfort of this room for a patients emotional and physical state is critical. UPMC Chautauqua’s Medical Oncology unit is set to open in the fall of 2019.
The 49th annual Italian American Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 6-8 at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville. Since its inception in 1971, the Italian American Charity Golf Association has contributed over $1.4 M to support local cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care.