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Welcome to the 18th annual

Syracuse for St. Jude Gala

Presented by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Law Firm

Syracuse, New York |  March 8,  2025

Become a Sponsor Donate Now

 
 

Join us on March 8, 2025 for the 18th annual Syracuse for St. Jude Gala presented by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Law Firm at The Oncenter Ballroom in Syracuse, New York, where we'll come together to support the livesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.®

Guests will enjoy an evening of live entertainment, cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, a Give to Live auction and an impactful Mission Moment. Thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of Officer Colin Hayward-Toland by presenting an award in his namesake – the Officer Colin Hayward-Toland Award.

Matching gifts are an easy way to increase your donation to St. Jude — at no additional cost to you! Many employers support your altruistic efforts by offering matching gift programs to your favorite charities. Check if your employer will match your gift to St. Jude or contact us at matchinggifts@stjude.org.

All proceeds from this event benefit patient and patient families at St. Jude. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – so they can focus on helping their child live.

Location

 
 

The Oncenter Ballroom
800 S State St.
Syracuse, NY 13202

 

Date and Time

 
 

March 8, 2025
6 - 10 p.m.

 

Tickets and Sponsorships

 
 

Become a sponsor today! Sponsorship packages include a reserved table, brand recognition and other benefits.

 
 

St. Jude provides comprehensive care and health equality for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. We tailor treatment for each child's unique needs, improving outcomes for some of the world’s sickest children.

 

St. Jude patient Adriana with family

 
 
Patient Adriana receives kisses on her cheeks from family members.

Become a sponsor

By partnering with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and sponsoring this event, you will align your company name with the strong, nationally recognized St. Jude mission and brand, and instill pride in your employees, consumers, vendors and company executives.

For more information on becoming a sponsor, contact:

Elise Penge
(518) 223-3162
Elise.Penge@alsac.stjude.org

 

Presenting Sponsor

DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, LLP Personal Injury Lawyers.
 

Our 2025 Honoree

Rick Nuzzo

Syracuse for St. Jude Gala 2025 Officer Colin Hayward-Tolan Award Honoree Rick Nuzzo.
 

Thank you to our committee

Syracuse for St. Jude committee members gather for a portrait between multi-colored balloons.
 
 

St. Jude stories from New York

Every dollar makes a difference*

  1. ... could help provide one day of oxygen for a St. Jude patient*

    St. Jude patients may need oxygen to help their bodies function properly and aid in healing.

    Donate $250

  2. ... could help provide four walkers for St. Jude patients*

    Walkers provide St. Jude patients with stability and support, making it easier for them to walk after surgery.

    Donate $500

  3. ... could help cover about two-thirds of the cost of one day of chemotherapy*

    Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancers from 20 percent when the hospital opened in 1962 to more than 80 percent today.

    Donate $1,000

  4. ... could help provide an ultrasound study for a St. Jude patient*

    An ultrasound study is among the diagnostic imaging tests that doctors use to diagnose and monitor disease and treatment.

    Donate $2,500

  5. ... could help cover the cost of the daily room rate of the ICU*

    The Intensive Care Unit at St. Jude has twice been recognized with the Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence given by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. In 2009, the St. Jude ICU became Tennessee’s first ICU to win the honor.

    Donate $5,000

  6. Support of our mission

    Any amount supports kids around the world. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save even more children.*

    Donate Any Amount

* Your donation will be used to provide breakthrough research, treatment and cures. Items listed here are representative of services and supplies that are part of the treatment and care of children at St. Jude. The cost of each item or service is an approximation, and will vary based on actual costs incurred and individual patient needs. Your donation will be used for the general operating needs of St. Jude, where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.

 
 

Get involved locally

Click below to find additional events, volunteer opportunities and more ways to connect with St. Jude supporters across New York and the Tri-state area.

Events and Galas in New York

 
 

Other ways you can get involved:

 
 

Patient Colin Hayward-Toland stands with committee members before a St. Jude wall.

St. Jude patient Colin Hayward-Toland (bottom, left) with commitee members Joe and Amy Rossi

This award was created by gala committee members to honor the legacy of Officer Colin Hayward-Toland. At age 2, Colin was diagnosed with anaplastic ependymoma, a rare form of brain cancer, and began treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Colin believed that you should “never give up on your dreams."

In 2016, he was able to realize his own dream by being sworn in as an honorary member of the Ithaca Police Department.

On March 17, 2018, after an 8-year fight with cancer, Colin lost his battle. We remember Colin’s legacy with the Officer Colin Hayward-Toland Award, which recognizes a local community member who represents virtues similar to Colin’s spirit of tenacity, resilience and positivity. 

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