St. Joseph’s Announces “On the Snow” Event

Syracuse, NY (January 23, 2016) – Looking for a way to beat the mid-winter doldrums? Don't let cabin fever get the best of you this winter. Why not get outdoors for a day on the slopes in support of a great cause?

St. Joseph's Hospital is launching its first On the Snow for St. Joe's at Song Mountain Resort in Tully, NY on Saturday, February 27th, from 9AM-3PM. The daylong ski and snowboarding fund-raising event promises to be lots of fun and a sure fire cure for the winter blues.

Participants can register for $25 online at the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation website, or at www.OntheSnowforStJoes.org the official event website. Just like a "fun run or walk," family, friends and colleagues can sponsor registered skier and snowboarder participants by making donations on the event's registration page in support of a team or individual.

The net proceeds from this February 27th individual and team event will be dedicated to helping develop the breast cancer program at St. Joseph's Hospital. "We are delighted to be partnering with Song Mountain Resort" noted one of the region’s and St. Joseph Hospital's leading breast cancer surgeons, Dr. Kara Kort. "Funds raised will help our breast cancer program offer many specialized services to women and men who face the challenges of this sometimes life-threatening disease," said Dr. Kort.

Ski passes, according to Song Mountain Resort owner Peter Harris, will be discounted for participants based on sponsor dollars raised and equipment rental prices will also be reduced for the event. Costumes that incorporate pink in support of the breast cancer cause are encouraged and prizes will be awarded for the best themes and most original outfits. "We are going to be offering a special pink refreshment during the day in our restaurant and at the Mogul's Lounge for adults," mentions Meegan Lynch, who is the Song Mountain marketing director.

Other awards for most dollars raised and greatest number of sponsors will also be presented. "We are planning to give out very bright pink ski hats to all registered skiers and boarders" volunteered St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation event organizers, Doug Smith and Pam Kleine, "and each hat will have the On the Snow for St. Joe's event logo on it." Teams that would like to test their racing prowess on the Nastar Race Course can register for special prizes the day of the event at Song Mountain Resort.

In addition to promoting breast cancer awareness and prevention, the Foundation is encouraging families, students and friends to take advantage of the many healthy benefits of skiing and snowboarding as outdoor exercise, using the plentiful nearby recreational opportunities of Song Mountain Resort on the plentiful snow. According St. Joseph's Hospital president and CEO, Kathy Ruscitto, this inaugural On the Snow for St. Joe's event will help raise needed funds for breast cancer and introduce our community and region to the comprehensive breast cancer resources, and outstanding physicians, nurses and services available at St. Joseph's Health.

For more information, please call Pam Kleine at the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation at 315-703-2137, or visit the OntheSnowforStJoes.org website.

St. Joseph’s Health is a non-profit regional health care system based in Syracuse, N.Y., providing services to patients throughout Central New York and northern Pennsylvania. From primary to specialty to home care, to our Magnet-recognized hospital, and in collaboration with our community partners, St. Joseph's coordinated approach ensures our patients achieve optimum long-term health. Ranked top 15 heart surgery centers in the U.S. and a 15-time winner of the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice award, St. Joseph’s is affiliated with Franciscan Companies and St. Joseph’s Physicians.