The Interlakes Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving patient care through cancer research and education. It was founded in 1996 by the physicians of Interlakes Oncology & Hematology.

The Foundation conducts innovative clinical studies in all aspects of cancer therapy. The Interlakes Foundation is affiliated with several national research groups:

• The Southwest Oncology Group and Clinical Trials Support Unit through affiliation with the University of Rochester
• US Oncology
• Breast Cancer International Research Group
• A number of pharmaceutical research organizations

This affords patients the opportunity to enter national and international clinical trials, receiving state-of-the-art treatments which are not yet available to the general public.

Since its founding, in addition to conducting clinical trials, The Interlakes Foundation has sponsored many educational lectures, seminars, and symposia for physicians, other health care professionals, and the general public.

Clinical studies have shown that regular physical activity can be a complementary part of cancer treatment and may reduce the chance of cancer recurring. In 2004, the Interlakes Foundation was awarded a grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to establish a Wellness Program for cancer survivors at no cost, centered around bicycling and walking.

This program was inspired by one of our physicians, Dr. James Fetten, who had the opportunity to ride across the U.S. with Lance Armstrong in the Tour of Hope in 2003.

The Wellness Program flourished and has since been incorporated independently as the Western New York Wellness Program. (www.wnywp.org).