Strike Out Cancer Night a Hit at Coca-Cola Park

Colleagues, clinicians and patients from Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute joined a sold-out crowd at Coca Cola Park for the IronPigs versus Syracuse Mets on Aug. 28. They came in support of the long-running Strike Out Cancer night, where they could cheer for their team and raise money for local cancer patients. The evening included all the best elements of a summer outing: laughter, camaraderie and of course, ballpark fare.

Hematologist oncologist Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief of the Cancer Institute, and surgical oncologist Lori Alfonse, DO, Deputy Physician in Chief of the Cancer Institute, were interviewed at the game. They talked about the importance of getting annual cancer screenings and the convenience of being able to access state-of-the-art cancer services close to home at Lehigh Valley Health Network.

The Cancer Institute is a presenting sponsor of the evening. All proceeds traditionally benefit organizations that offer support services to people affected by cancer in the Lehigh Valley: in this case, the American Cancer Society and the Prager Patient Assistant Fund.

“Strike Out Cancer Night is truly a special event for us,” says Dr. Nair. “We are more than grateful to the IronPigs for donating a portion of the proceeds to the Prager Patient Assistance Fund. The fund provides financial support to patients for day-to-day expenses while they are receiving cancer treatment. It means patients don’t have to add practical worries to the stress they are already under. It’s a huge help to them.”

As far as the game went, the four-game winning streak of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs came to an end in a 3-2 loss to the Syracuse Mets. However, losing a game is never a defeat to the IronPigs. Just like the patients who are battling cancer, once the right tools and skilled people are in their corner, they use hope and determination to strike it out for good!