SPARKLE endowment in honor of Kristin Leeson BS, RN

(Serving and Supporting Patients & Alternative / Integrative Research Kristin Leeson Endowment) 

The SPARKLE endowment in honor of Kristin Leeson will be created to honor Kristin’s life’s work and memory with the purpose of supporting patients in their cancer journey by providing resources to better educate patients on their treatment options, both conventional and unconventional, and provide resources to lessen the burden as they navigate their treatment.

DONATE TO THE SPARKLE Endowment

In memory of Kristin Leeson

1986 -2025 | The name of the fund reflects Kristin’s love of all things sparkly and glittery as well as the sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes. “A greeting card without glitter just isn't a card!”

Purpose:
To serve and support cancer patients and their families to receive alternative / integrative cancer treatments and to support alternative / integrative oncology research.

History:
The SPARKLE endowment was established in January 2025 to honor Kristin's memory and to make a difference in the world of cancer treatment moving forward. As a registered nurse working in breast care at Upstate Medical Center, Kristin knew what she was up against and fought a valiant battle against a rare abdominal soft tissue sarcoma. From the moment of her diagnosis she researched extensively – traditional treatments as well as alternative/integrative  treatments and was convinced by her experiences that all treatments should be considered and that there needed to be a combination of both traditional oncology as well as alternative /integrative oncology for optimal outcomes. To that end, she discovered there was not nearly as much funding for research in alternative/integrative oncology compared to traditional oncology. Some of the nontraditional treatments were very helpful to her and significantly improved her quality of life. As a nurse, it was her wish that more interest and financial support be devoted to alternative and integrative treatments, not to supplant traditional pharmaceutical research, but to supplement it, to improve and enhance patient outcomes. This endowment under the umbrella of the Upstate Foundation, a 501(c)3 fund, is a step in that direction.

Kristin

Kristin was a beautiful, compassionate, brilliant young woman who chose to care for others through her profession as a nurse, always striving to be an advocate for her patients. The tables were tragically turned, and she became a patient herself after being diagnosed with an extremely rare, aggressive sarcoma in her 30’s. 

Before her passing, Kristin shared the following:

“I dealt with several health issues throughout my life. However, an extremely rare, aggressive sarcoma blindsided me in my mid 30s. Faced with this, I had to research for myself, advocate for myself, and combine conventional as well as alternative medicine. I never ever gave up. I outlived my ‘prognosis’ by years. The body follows the mind; I kept pushing forward.

My advice is to live fully. Cherish each and every breath, bite, sunrise and sunset, every bird chirp, sunbeam, and special moment. Don’t put things off and plan on ‘next time.’ You never know… tomorrow is not guaranteed. Look inside your heart, then shine outward with love, light, and gratitude. 

Don’t let little stuff ruffle you (basically everything except cancer). And, if faced with cancer, do your own research, listen to your gut and fight full on. There is no screening test for sarcoma. For screenable and early detectable cancers – know your risks and get screened. Don’t wait to make healthy lifestyle and diet changes if you’ve been thinking you should. There is no time like the present.”

– Kristin Leeson BS, RN

Ways to Give

  • Online form below.

  • Mail your donation to:
    Upstate Foundation, 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
    Please indicate that your gift is to the SPARKLE endowment.

  • Call the Upstate Foundation at 315-464-4416.

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