A fund has been created to support the enhancement of the West Virginia University Cancer Institute and other cancer clinics in the WVU Hospital System.
Recognized as the Betty Puskar Cancer Care and Support Fund, the fund not only supports clinic and patient experience enhancement, but honors Betty Puskar, a two-time cancer survivor and someone who is described as a “voice for breast cancer.”
Introduced at the 33rd Annual Spring Cancer Gala, more than $100,000 was raised for the fund.
Funds will be used for clinic enhancement, purchasing of equipment, clinical therapeutic activities and patient needs relating to travel, housing and meals.
“Betty Puskar’s unwavering support of WVU and the WVU Cancer Institute has spanned decades,” said Richard Goldberg, MD, director of the WVU Cancer Institute. “This fund gives her many friends and admirers an opportunity to both further her work and honor her dedication. Unless you prefer to be an anonymous donor we will inform her of your support. This is an opportunity to show that, like Betty, you value and support the work that we do at the WVU Cancer Institute.”
Puskar was also honored at the Gala with the inaugural Betty Puskar Winged Victory Award. The award represents those who have dedicated their lives and committed themselves to the betterment of cancer-related care, research and education for West Virginians.
Along with the award, a video was displayed at the Gala showcasing Puskar’s personal life, battle with breast cancer and the path that led her toward impacting the lives of women with breast cancer, which includes the establishment of the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center, dedicated to improving breast health of women in West Virginia.
The 33rd Annual Spring Gala was held on April 27-28 at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., celebrating the generous philanthropic commitment toward cancer, education and research in West Virginia.
The 34th Annual Spring Gala will be held April 26-27, 2019 at The Greenbrier.
To make a gift to the Betty Puskar Cancer Care and Support Fund, please visit give.wvu.edu/wvucancerinstitute or contact Scarlett Schneider, senior director of development for the WVU Cancer Institute, at 304-293-7732 or scarlett.schneider@hsc.wvu.edu.
Gifts are made through the WVU Foundation, the non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of WVU.