UPSTATE CANCER CENTER
NEWS WINTER
2014
Psychiatrist/breast cancer survivor cares for cancer patients One of the first things psychiatrist Aliya Hafeez, MD tells her patients is that she began specializing in psychiatry services for people with cancer because she is a breast cancer survivor, herself. “I feel like it’s an additional degree that I’ve gotten,” she says of her health ordeal, which began with a diagnosis in November 2009. She went through chemotherapy, radiation and surgery at Upstate’s Regional Oncology Center. “Now I get to work with all of the doctors who treated me.”
Aliya Hafeez, MD in Upstate’s newly renovated Harrison Specialty Center. She sees cancer patients with psychological needs there until the Cancer Center opens in 2014.
Continued on page 5
Foundation: Last call to have your name on donor recognition walls Central New Yorkers over the past four years have watched the Upstate Cancer Center grow from a giant hole in the ground into a glimmering five-story building full of hope. Construction is on schedule for a grand opening in June. The Foundation for Upstate Medical University has raised gifts and pledges totaling more than $14.9 million from the Central New York community – 99.5 percent of the
$15 million goal in the “Give Hope a New Home” capital campaign. This includes contributions of more than $4 million from Upstate faculty and staff, Upstate Advocates and Foundation board members.
The Upstate Family Tree of Hope will recognize employees, volunteers, retirees and students giving $300 and up. And the Upstate Faculty Wall of Honor will recognize faculty gifts of $1,500 and up.
One of the most meaningful features of the Upstate Cancer Center will be the donor honor walls, which will permanently recognize those who helped make the center a reality. They will be located in the main lobby and connecting corridor and, just like the Founding Donor and Faculty Walls of Honor (11th floor) and Employee Donor Wall of Honor (12th floor) of the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, these honor walls will permanently recognize donor support of the Upstate Cancer Center.
The unique recognition system, designed by Upstate Cancer Center architects Ewing Cole, will be fabricated locally by Signage Systems and feature the inspirational imagery of John Francis McCarthy of Finger Lakes Photography in Skaneateles.
The Founding Donor Wall of Honor will recognize donors giving $5,000 and up.
Is your name included? Names will not be added after the grand opening. If you have already made a gift, thank you. If you would like to be a part of this landmark campaign, there is still time. For more information, please contact the Foundation office at 315-464-4416. ■
Cancer Center construction, Nov. 2013
Syracuse New York