ROSWELL PARK: Lewiston girl helping coffee campaign

Local News

November 16, 2009

By Paul Lane The Niagara Gazette Mon Nov 16, 2009, 12:31 AM EST

Western New Yorkers now have a chance to satiate their coffee cravings for the next year while helping local cancer patients.

Dunkin Donuts Chairman Jon Luther came to Roswell Park Cancer Institute on Tuesday to announce a partnership between his company and the hospital. The eatery has made available 1,000 “Mugs of Hope” that were designed by local cancer patients/survivors.

The mugs, which cost $100 each, will be good for free refills at all local Dunkin Donuts franchises through Dec. 31, 2010. Assuming all of the mugs sell, $100,000 will go to cancer research, Luther said.

Five children who take part in Roswell’s Paint Box Project — a program that allows young cancer patients to use art as an outlet during treatment — designed the mugs, which feature designs such as handprints and snowflakes.

“We know that the Paint Box Project brings the healing power of art to young cancer patients and survivors,” said Luther, a City of Tonawanda native. “We are thrilled that we can use their artwork on our Mug of Hope to help raise funds and awareness for Roswell Park.”

Among the mug designers was Karisa Langridge, 11, of Lewiston, who has completed treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She plays the clarinet and wants to study to become an Egyptologist.

“Now that she’s done with treatment, life is really getting back to normal for her,” said her mom, Melissa. “But going to (Paint Box) art parties meant a lot to her when she was sick, and they continue to be a big part of her life now that she’s in remission.”

The four other designers were Amanda Bentley 15, Allie Chimera, 10, and Joseph Westphal, 13, all of the Tonawandas, and Shannon Colligan, age 14, of Akron. These kids and the hundreds of their peers at Roswell are the reason for all of the work, according to Donalt Trump, Roswell CEO.

“This effort has to be about our patients,” he said. “We honor and take pride in the young artists who are surviving cancer and have gone on to colleges and careers.”

Mugs are available at Roswell’s gift shop and online at paintboxproject.com.