Buffalo game supports pediatric patients.
In 2021, Roswell Park and Oishei Children’s Hospital teamed up to create a Buffalo game that supports pediatric patients. With over 50 community partners, they worked with Hasbro and the Cooley Group. The result: the First Edition City of Buffalo MONOPOLY game.
In just over a month, 7,500 limited-edition games were sold at Western New York Tops Friendly Markets locations. The effort raised $405,000 for the Roswell Park Oishei Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program. People across the country bought the game to enjoy the first-of-its-kind game celebrating all things Buffalo. Better still, they were supporting some of our area’s youngest patients and their families.
Playing to support pediatric patients.
One of those patients, Andre Sanders, was able to celebrate the launch of the new game and represent all pediatric cancer patients in WNY.
Andre was diagnosed at age 4 with Wilms tumor, a type of cancer on his kidney.
After several rounds of radiation and nine months of chemotherapy, Andre the Warrior rang the Roswell Park Victory Bell in May 2020.
Impact of the new game.
The funds raised made way for Roswell Park to create a dedicated Pediatric Transplant Nurse Coordinator position. This role, now held by Erin Hughes, RN, will support our pediatric and young adult patients. Erin coordinates transplants and everything leading up to them, including finding a donor when needed. This specialized role allows Erin to spend time with patients and families, guiding them through the process and managing their individual needs along the way.
Getting to know Erin.
Erin has been at Roswell Park for her entire career and has always had an interest in specializing in pediatric care. Now as a mom herself, that call has an even stronger pull.
“I can see the bigger picture. Not only wanting to help a patient, but their parents and their families through the entire process,” she said. In this role, she’s able to follow each patient throughout the process to ensure they receive the quality care they need.
Erin is looking forward to being a familiar face for patients and families. “It can be helpful just having someone in this role who understands the entire process.” There’s a lot that transplant coordinators do leading up to, through and even post-transplant.
“You know, I’m excited, it’s a new position. I’ll get to help build it as I work closely with the pediatric doctors and team and talk about what we want this role to be.”
This Buffalo game supports pediatric patients with cancer and blood disorders now and into the future. All thanks to donor support and the City of Good Neighbors.
