Retired football star and prostate cancer survivor recognized for national advocacy efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2009

WHAT: Michael Haynes, an NFL Hall of Fame defensive back and prostate cancer survivor, will be honored by Roswell Park Cancer Institute at the 19th annual All Star Night for his ongoing efforts to advocate for prostate cancer screening, education and early detection. Haynes will receive the Gilda Radner Courage Award, joining past honorees that include Sam Donaldson, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Marcia Wallace, Robin Roberts and the late Joel Siegel. The event is presented by HSBC and the Roswell Park Alliance Community Advisory Board. All proceeds will benefit life-saving cancer research and patient care programs—including the Western New York Robotic Surgical Center at Roswell Park.

WHERE: Shea’s Performing Arts Center
  646 Main St., Buffalo

WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2009

8 pm: Dinner/Opening remarks
9 pm: Live auction begins
9:30 pm: Awards presentation begins
9:50 pm: Keynote remarks by Haynes

DETAILS:  More than 400 supporters of Roswell Park will be in attendance as Haynes shares the story of his cancer diagnosis and subsequent advocacy efforts with the American Urological Association Foundation. Additional honorees include Dr. James Marshall, Senior Vice President for Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, who will receive the Thomas B. Tomasi MD, PhD Achievement Award; and William McLaughlin, a longtime volunteer, Ride For Roswell participant and patient advocate, who will be recognized with the Katherine Anne Gioia Inspiration Award.

*Interviews with Haynes are available upon request.

The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization formed to receive and administer funds supporting scientific and clinical research, state-of-the-art medical care, and patient-related activities at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

                  --###--