Friend in Deed

Upstate Foundation’s annual fund for Upstate University Hospital and Upstate Community Hospital is a great way to say thank you for exceptional care while helping others.

Thanks to funding from Friend in Deed, the Neuro on Wheels program provides free, specialized transportation to ALS patients who otherwise have no means of traveling to their medical appointments.

“Patients who benefit from Friend in Deed are extremely appreciative. Without these funds, patients are forced to make very difficult decisions about whether they can afford the care they need.” – Jeffrey Collins, RN, Neuromuscular Coordinator, Upstate Neurology

 

2025 Friend in Deed Co-Chairs

Vincent Frechette, MD
Associate Professor 
Internal Medicine 
Upstate Medical University

This year, the hospital was able to provide home blood pressure cuffs to patients who wouldn’t be able to afford them any other way, thanks to Friend in Deed.

“When we can give needed supplies free, patients come back for the next visit, and they are grateful. That leads to a lot of job satisfaction. Thank you, Friend in Deed donors!” – Mary Jo Lakomski, BSPharm, CDCES, BCACP Center for International Health Upstate University Hospital,


 

2024 Friend in Deed Co-Chairs

Joshua Solomon
Vice President Channel Partnerships
BeerBoard

You can make a difference

Many people hope for a brighter future, improved health and for strength to overcome life’s challenges. When health concerns arise, some patients are fortunate to have the support they need, but for others, essential resources are not always available. That’s where Friend in Deed, the annual fund for Upstate University Hospital, comes in, helping to provide for unmet needs of our patients and their families. We hope you will consider giving to Friend in Deed.

As an annual fund, Friend in Deed is a vital financial resource for many clinical programs and patient services that are not included in the hospital’s annual operating budget. It supports things such as medical supplies not covered by insurance that empower patients to monitor their health at home and preserve their independence. Friend in Deed also covers special nutritional supplements for patients who cannot afford or do not have access to healthy foods where they live.

A gift to Friend in Deed reaches far beyond the hospital itself; it touches the health and well-being of our entire community. Every year, requests for funding from Friend in Deed exceed the amount raised, putting us in the difficult position of deciding which important endeavors to support. Your donation is especially meaningful, as Upstate University Hospital receives only 3.3 percent of its annual operating budget from the state. Thank you in advance for your generous gift to Friend in Deed!

Learn how Friend in Deed impacts patients and their families, click here.

Find out more about Friend in Deed awards, click here.

Applications for funding are now open

The deadline for applications is noon on February 7, 2025.

Click here to apply for funding.