Vets for Vets to Host 2nd Annual K.I.A. Memorial Road March

Buffalo, NY – Vets for Vets is hosting the second annual K.I.A. Memorial Road March on Saturday, August 23, 2014.  

The K.I.A. Memorial Road March is a 10K ruck march through Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, NY.  It is a fun and challenging way to remember those members of our armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

“Since my return from Iraq, I often think of Christopher Dill, my "Battle Buddy," as we say in the military,” stated March Executive Director Msg. Jason Jaskula, USA.  “He was killed in action in Iraq, and as I tried to think of a way to honor his memory, I realized that there was no single public event in Western New York to honor military members Killed in Action (K.I.A.) in the forefront.   That is the idea behind the K.I.A. Memorial Road March.”

To date there are 306 service members from Western New York that have been K.I.A. in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Participants will march in one of four categories - Individual, Team (2 Marchers), Squad (4 Marchers) or Platoon (10 marchers) while carrying rucks filled with canned goods.  Participants will carry a minimum of 50 pounds of weight, depending on which category they march in.

Those unable to carry the amount of weight for their category are still encouraged to participate and march the route.  Organizers ask that they consider donating canned goods and march with an empty ruck.

Although designed with the military in mind, the March is open to all – current / retired military, first responders, civilians. 

The K.I.A. Memorial Road March raises funds to help support Veterans organizations in Western New York.  Post-event all canned goods will be donated to help Veterans in need.

For more information or to register please visit www.kiamemorialmarch.com.

U.S. Paralympic Athlete Adam Page Joins Person First Forum at the Museum of disABILITY History

U.S. Paralympic Athlete Adam Page Joins Person First Forum at the Museum of disABILITY History

Presentation to focus on athlete’s personal experiences, road to Paralympic success

The Museum of disABILITY History is pleased to welcome U.S. Paralympic athlete, Adam Page, as the latest speaker in its Person First Forum Series. The event, entitled, “Living an Independent Life, Making Dreams a Reality,” will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 1p.m. to 3p.m. at 3826 Main Street in Buffalo.

The presentation will focus on Page’s personal experiences, highlighting his introduction to sled hockey and road to Paralympic success.

A resident of Lancaster, NY, Page is a Paralympic athlete who has inspired many with his abilities on and off the ice. Born on March 10, 1992, with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Page found sled hockey at the age of 6, and has been playing for sixteen years. At 14, he was chosen for the USA Development Team and, not long after, joined the USA men’s national team at the age of 15. Page has participated in the 2010 and 2014 Paralympics in Vancouver, British Colombia and Sochi, Russia respectively. Additionally, he has taken part in four world championships, winning two gold medals, including silver and a bronze.

Alongside his role as an athlete, Page currently volunteers with his father, Norman, starting new sled hockey programs across the country. The programs give youth, adults and veterans the chance to play the sport that has given Page, himself, so many opportunities.

In his spare time, Page enjoys downhill skiing, golf and bowling. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Page’s childhood hockey sled, crafted by his father is on display at the Museum of disABILITY History as part of its Sports and disABILITY exhibit.

The Person First Forum with Adam Page is a free event. Regular admission applies to those who wish to tour the Museum of disABILITY History, which is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information or to register for the event, call 716-629-3626.

The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society’s reactions. The Museum of disABILITY History, located at 3826 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, offers educational exhibits, programs and activities that expand community awareness.

Erie County Medical Center Opens All New Great Lakes Café

Modern customer-centric dining space provides diverse and nutritious culinary offerings

June 25, 2014 (Buffalo, NY) – Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation, a state-of-the-art regional medical center and health campus, recently unveiled an entirely new cafeteria now called the "Great Lakes Café," with a formal grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony held June 24th. The renovation, completed in partnership with Morrison Senior Living, the leader in food, nutrition and hospitality services for the senior living industry, marks the healthcare organizations’ latest strides to deliver quality, patient-centric experiences.

“Creating a positive atmosphere for our patients, their families and our staff is top priority,” said ECMC President/Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer Richard C. Cleland, MPA, FACHE, NHA. “We wanted our café to be as diverse as the people we serve, so having a range of nutritious dining options proved key. Equally important is having a sleek and modern space that enables interactive opportunities for engagement and great customer service.”

The newly renovated space includes updated flooring, lighting, tables, chairs and an overall fresh contemporary design, creating an inviting space for patients, staff and visitors. Culinary offerings at the new Great Lakes Café include the: 2.mato Italian cuisine, Create made-to-order concept, So Deli, Crips salad bar, Morrison Classic, Bake Shoppe by Rich Products Corporation and the all new Tex-Mex inspired Austin Grill.

“For us, the opportunity to help ECMC further its mission of providing top quality experiences for its patients has been greatly rewarding,” said President of Morrison Senior Living, Kevin Svagdis. “By extending their patient-centric approach into their dining offerings, ECMC is showcasing their depth and range as a healthcare partner. We wish them continued success with the Great Lakes Café and in their overall pursuit of excellence.”

About Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation: The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility. ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, and rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences—the difference between healthcare and true care™.

About Morrison Senior Living: Morrison Senior Living, a member of Compass Group North America, is the nation’s only company exclusively dedicated to providing food, nutrition and hospitality services to the senior living industry. Morrison has over 150 registered dietitians, 200 executive chefs, 400 hospitality associates and 7,000 professional food service team members. Actively committed to fostering ways to enjoy great-tasting, healthy food through socially responsible practices and superior customer service, the Atlanta-based company serves more than 450 senior living clients in 41 states, including some of the largest and most prominent senior living communities in the United States. Visit www.MorrisonSeniorLiving.com for more information.

Sunglasses can protect your eyes from damage year-round

Sunglasses have come a long way over the years, and you’re now seeing more and more people wearing them year-round and not just during the sunny summer months. When searching for the perfect pair to match your style, you’re sure to come across terms such as “UV protection” and “polarization,” which you may not be too familiar with.

“UV” is short for ultraviolet radiation, which is the energy that comes from the sun and can be damaging to your eyes and skin, according to Michael Tomasik, owner of Tomasik Optical offices in Orchard Park and Lackawanna. UV exposure can also contribute to the development of certain types of cataracts and possibly macular degeneration, so when you’re choosing sunglasses, look for UV-protection details on product labels and select sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. Stay away from brands that don’t provide details on their UV protection.


Polarized sunglasses cut glare and haze so your eyes are more comfortable and you can see better. They contain a special filter that blocks intense reflected light and reduces glare, making them very popular among boating, fishing and outdoor enthusiasts.

Today’s sunglasses are made to be worn anytime you’re outdoors, particularly under these circumstances:

• During the summer, when the level of ultraviolet radiation is at least three times higher than during the winter.

• When at the beach or in the water.

• When participating in winter sports, especially at high altitudes.

• When using medications that can cause photosensitivity.

Tomasik Optical offers a wide variety of stylish slip-on and clip-on sunglasses, both prescription and nonprescription. They carry all of the leading brands, including Oakley, Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, Tiffany and several other designer brands.






With offices in Orchard Park and Lackawanna, Tomasik Optical has been serving Western New York for over 55 years. For more information or to make an appointment for an eye exam, please visit www.tomasikoptical.com, email mike@tomasikoptical.com, or call the Lackawanna store at 825-7434 or the Orchard Park location at 667-0004. The Lackawanna store is located at 1258 Electric Ave., while the Orchard Park location is at 3800 N. Buffalo Road. You can also follow Tomasik Optical on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TomasikOptical for frequent updates and eye health tips.

Make a designated driver part of your Fourth of July plans

With backyard parties, cookouts and fireworks, the July 4th holiday is a favorite time of year for many Americans. But the celebrating can turn deadly when people drive after drinking alcohol.  

“Impaired driving can turn celebrations into tragedy in an instant,” said Monica Farrar, director of The Resource Training Center Drinking Driver Program. “With July 4th approaching, we’re reminding people of the cost of impaired driving. In 2012, 179 people were killed in crashes over this holiday period. Of those deaths, 44 percent were in crashes that involved alcohol.”

“The tragic reality is that impaired driving isn’t a new concern,” added Farrar. “During the Fourth of July holiday periods from 2008 to 2012, there were 765 people killed in impaired-driving crashes. We’re asking for your support to remind everyone to plan ahead to ensure their Fourth of July includes not only fireworks at the park and hot dogs on the grill, but a sober ride home for themselves or their guests.” 

If you drive impaired, you not only put your life and the lives of others at risk, you also face a DWI arrest. The average DWI costs $10,000, making it difficult to recover financially. Arrested impaired drivers also face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, fines and court costs to car towing and repairs, lost time at work and more.

The Resource Training Center recommends taking the following precautions:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.

• If you’re impaired, call a taxi, ask a sober friend or a family member for a ride, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement. 

• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to safely get to where they are going. 

“Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s never worth the risk to drive impaired,” Farrar said. “There’s always another way home.” 

For more information, please call 983-2258, email info@wnyresourcetraining.org or visit www.wnyresourcetraining.org. You can also follow The Resource Training Center on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Resource-Training-Center/112019195650348 and Twitter (@monica_farrar ).

NCQA Recognizes UBMD sites as Patient Centered Medical Homes

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has recognized both of UBMD Internal Medicine’s private primary care sites – 300 Linwood Ave., Buffalo and 3980 Sheridan Dr., Amherst – for Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Level 3 recognition, effective 6/02/14 through 6/02/17. The Internal Medicine & Pediatrics (Med-Peds) site, 300 Linwood Ave. recognition includes Medical DirectorDr. Tessa Flores, Dr. Jennifer Abeles and PA Julie Schmidt. The Dent Office site, 3980 Sheridan Dr. recognition includesMedical Director Dr. Sarah Thompson and Drs. Karuna Ahuja, Peter Elkin, Nasir Khan, Bonnie McMichael, David Milling, Ellen Rich, and the PA Team of Michelle Bielinski, Christie Morotchie, Victoria Boorman and Linda Weisenborn. Congratulations also to our providers at the Elmwood Health Center, 2128 Elmwood Ave. and at the ECMC Primary Health Clinic, 462 Grider St. Suite 15, who both received Level 3 recognition effective 3/29/2014 through 3/29/2017. UBMD Internal Medicine providers at the Elmwood-People Inc. facility included Medical Director Dr. Michael Aronica and Drs. William Blymire, Janki Patel and Mark Zambron. Our primary providers at the Grider-ECMC site included Drs. Karuna Ahuja, Smita Bakhai, Jyotsna Bhatnagar, John Fudyma, Nasir Khan, Ellen Rich and Scott Stewart.

Roswell Park Grantees Earn More than $2.5 Million for Research Projects

Collaboration with organizations in Ghana, Nigeria one of 15 projects nationwide 

awarded specialized NCI funding

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Over the last three months, faculty members at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) have earned more than $2.5 million in grant funding from public and private organizations. That total includes an award of nearly $200,000 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to initiate partnerships with Noguchi Memorial Institute in Ghana and Lagos State University in Nigeria. RPCI was one of only 15 institutions awarded these specialized NCI grants, created to stimulate cancer research and expand the reach of cancer centers in low- and mid-income countries.

With that $199,982 award, Alex Adjei, MD, PhD, FACP, Senior Vice President of Clinical Research and the Katherine Anne Gioia Chair of Medicine, and Chukwumere Nwogu, MD, PhD, FACS, Attending Surgeon in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, will head an initiative to build a well-trained group of clinicians and researchers in those West African countries to collaborate with basic and population-science investigations in cervical, prostate and breast cancer. West Africans and African-Americans in the United States show similar epidemiological trends with regard to breast and prostate cancers, creating clinical research opportunities to enhance drug development and novel therapeutics. The collaboration aims to improve cancer care in Ghana and Nigeria and serve as a paradigm for other developing countries.

In all, RPCI faculty members have recently received a total of $2.57 million in grants, including six awards from the NCI. Other recipients and funded projects:

Sarah Holstein, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, received a four-year, $985,707 award from the NCI to develop new drugs to use against multiple myeloma, by targeting a key process, Rab geranylgeranylation, within myeloma cells.

Carl Morrison, MD, DVM, Executive Director, Center for Personalized Medicine, and Director, Division of Molecular Pathology, received a five-year subcontract award of approximately $561,580 from the University of Pittsburgh for an NCI project to establish the TIES Cancer Research Network (TCRN) at RPCI. The endeavor is part of multi-institutional information-technology solution to connect electronic records and tissue banks at four institutions, increase access to tissues at local biorepositories, and foster collaborations across biorepositories.

Joseph Spernyak, PhD, Imaging Research Scientist, received a two-year award of $182,018 from the NCI to develop next-generation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents to track temperature-sensitive drug carriers engineered to release anticancer drugs locally to tumors.

Shahriar Koochekpour, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Cancer Genetics, departments of Urology and Oncology, received a two-year, $406,247 award from the NCI to investigate how prostate cancer aggressiveness and metastasis in black men may correlate to glutamate (an amino acid) receptor levels. Data from the study may prove useful in distinguishing between aggressive and nonaggressive prostate cancers, and help guide treatment decisions.

Peter Demant, MD, PhD, Distinguished Member, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, received a two-year, $177,740 award from the NCI for work that seeks to identify the specific genes in individual patients that determine whether they’re likely to suffer toxic effects from cisplatin therapy, a group of drugs used against childhood cancers and cancers of the breast and ovary. His work will help physicians personalize treatment choices for individual patients so that a drug’s toxic effects don’t weaken the benefit for the patient.

Gokul M. Das, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and Co-Director, RPCI Breast Disease Site Research Group, received a one-year grant of $50,000 from the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester for a project that focuses on triple-negative breast cancer. His team will investigate the role of a tumor-suppressor protein called p53 in this highly aggressive and treatment-resistant breast cancer.

Jason Eng, a graduate student working toward a doctorate in the Department of Immunology at RPCI, received a one-year, $2,500 Seed Grant Research Award from the American Medical Association Foundation to explore how physical and emotional stresses might increase the recurrence and spread of pancreatic cancer. The findings from this project may lead to new treatment strategies involving relatively safe and already widely used anti-anxiety or anti-hypertensive medications.

Unyts Announces 1st Annual Danny Gare & Friends Golf Tournament

WHO:             Unyts & Buffalo Sabres Hall of Famer Danny Gare

Tournament presented by Northtown Automotive

Friend of Unyts Sponsor, the Buffalo Sabres

Cart Sponsor, Lumsden & McCormick

Lunch Sponsor, Integrity Distribution

Dinner Sponsors, First Niagara and David Gallant

WHAT:          1^st Annual Danny Gare & Friends Golf Tournament for Unyts

WHEN:          Monday, June 23, 2014

§  11:30am – Registration/Lunch

§  12:30pm – Shotgun Start, 18 holes of golf

§  5:30pm – Cocktail Reception & Dinner

WHERE:       Westwood Country Club

772 N. Forest Rd, Williamsville

The 1^st Annual Danny Gare & Friends Golf Tournament for Unyts is SOLD OUT! Over 150 people will participate in a fun and exciting day of golf playing alongside local celebrities, professional athletes, and legendary sports alumni. Each foursome will be paired with a friend of Danny’s, including Zemgus Girgensons, Kevin Sylvester, Jay McKee, Pat Kaleta, Rene Robert and Jerry Korab.

There are currently over 122,000 people across the United States waiting for a transplant, and 100 people in WNY will need blood today. All monies raised from the Danny Gare & Friends Golf Tournament will fund educational programming and outreach that will help Unyts- WNY’s only organ, eye, tissue and community blood center- broaden the scope of who they are reaching about the importance of giving the Gift of Life.

*Unyts now operates under d/b/a Unyts. We are no longer Upstate NY Transplant Services.*

Niagara Falls Named Semifinalist in National “Way to Wellville” Competition

One of 16 Communities Selected by Esther Dyson-backed Nonprofit

Niagara Falls, New York has been selected as one of 16 semifinalists in The Way to Wellville, a national competition to find five communities to compete over five years for the greatest improvement in five measures of health. The initiative is sponsored by HICCup (www.hiccup.co), a nonprofit founded by angel investor Esther Dyson to encourage community-led innovation that results in healthier people and places.

HICCup’s six-person advisory board selected the 16 semifinalists from a highly competitive field of 42 community applications received from 24 states. Semifinalist communities will now submit full proposals by June 27 detailing their vision and plans for the next five years.

“It sounds trite, but it is extremely difficult to choose,” said Ms. Dyson. “The number and quality of applications is a testament to the exceptional places and dedicated leaders eager to make a difference in the health of their communities.”

Mayor Paul Dyster said, “I am so thrilled and grateful that the “Creating a Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative” was selected as a semi-finalist in the HICCup Competition.  Our Task Group to Create a Healthier Niagara Falls has worked diligently to bring health awareness to our citizens, and Niagara Falls with its high poverty rate and health issues will really benefit from the effects of the HICCup initiative.  Anything that improves the health and health care system for our citizens will go miles in securing their strength, stability, and dignity—and we all appreciate this special designation from HICCup”.

 “Having the opportunity to apply and to become a semi-finalist in the HICCup competition has been a catalyst to mobilize the Mayor’s Task Group to a higher level. Speaking on behalf of the Mayor’s Task Group we are thrilled to have this opportunity to become a finalist.” stated Shelley Hirshberg, Chair of the Mayor’s Task Group.

After reviewing semifinalist proposals, the HICCup advisory board will select a smaller number of finalist communities for site visits in July and early August. The selection will culminate in mid-August with the announcement of five Wellville communities to compete in the five-year contest. The Wellville Five will attend the Next Step to Wellville conference, September 16-18, 2014, in Tampa, Florida, to kick off the five-year effort.

The five communities that earn a spot in the five-year contest will receive support from HICCup and a network of partners in the areas of health data/measurement, consumer- and community-based health solutions, and innovative health financing strategies. The effort will measure the impact of coordinated, community-wide initiatives, while creating new models and markets for the production of health.

“The idea behind The Way to Wellville is not just to make a measurable difference in five places, but to design and deliver a comprehensive approach to health that can be replicated broadly,” said Rick Brush, CEO of HICCup. “Together with our Wellville partners, five communities will point the way to better health and financial sustainability.”

The 16 semifinalists for The Way to Wellville contest are:

·      Athens County, OH

·      Clatsop County, OR

·      Clinton County, NY

·      Columbus, IN

·      Garden City, KS

·      Greater Muskegon, MI

·      Jackson, TN

·      Lake County, CA

·      Lynchburg, VA

·      Niagara Falls, NY

·      Oxford County, ME

·      Scranton, PA

·      Spartanburg, SC

·      Starkville, MS

·      Wilkes County, NC

·      Winona, MN

About HICCup

HICCup stands for Health Initiative Coordinating Council. It is a nonprofit supported since mid-2013 through charitable contributions from Esther Dyson, in-kind resources, and extensive field research and development among a growing group of guiding organizations, partners and communities. HICCup is fiscally sponsored by New Venture Fund (www.newventurefund.org). Additional partners, funders and collaborators are encouraged to visit www.HICCup.co and contact rick@hiccup.co.

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The Longest Day Highlights Global Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease

BUFFALO, NY (June 13, 2014) - On June 21, 2014, people across the globe, including several teams across Western New York, will participate in The Longest Day® to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those facing Alzheimer's with a day of activity.

The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset team event to raise funds to fuel the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association®. Across the eight counties covered by the Association’s WNY Chapter, several teams will complete approximately 16 hours of activity ranging from cooking and knitting to playing cards and go-kart racing, to honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Participants in The Longest Day are joining a global conversation about Alzheimer's disease, the brain and other dementias as part of the inaugural Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month in June.

These are a few of the local teams organizing activities (and accepting donations), which are open to the public:

·       Pole Position Raceway –  inside the Walden Galleria

·       The Unusual Suspects –  Johnson family at 49 Hamilton Drive in Amherst organizing a day-long music fest and chicken barbeque in the street

·       Gray Matters! –  team will be knitting and crocheting at Dancing Goat Yarn Shop at 11 W. Buffalo Street in Warsaw

“This new event is raising awareness about this terrible disease and the strength and endurance it takes to walk a mile in the shoes of all those impacted,” said WNY Chapter Development Director Lynn Westcott. “These are wonderfully compassionate and dedicated people doing what they can to raise money so we can fund research and continue to care for and support all those impacted by Alzheimer’s.”

Alzheimer's is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including approximately 55,000 across WNY, and the national prevalence is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association® 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.

To learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday or call 1.800.272.3900.

Alzheimer’s Disease Quick Facts:

Every 67 seconds, an American develops Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading cause of death in this country. More than 5 million Americans, including close to 55,000 across Western New York, are living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. To learn more, including the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s, visit alz.org/WNY or call 1.800.272.3900.