Donation from Saint Agatha Foundation Funds New Equipment Purchase

September 4, 2026

The Renzi Cancer Center at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center and the Cortland Memorial Foundation are pleased to announce a generous grant award of over $21,000 from the Saint Agatha Foundation.

The funds are being used to purchase a new neoprobe precision surgical tool, a device that is critical to helping surgeons better detect, diagnose, and treat breast cancer. This advanced technology helps support healthy outcomes for patients by continuing to promote early detection and providing high-quality patient experience.

Dr. Erica Skipton, a breast surgeon and general surgeon at Guthrie, underscored how important it is to invest in refreshed equipment such as the new neoprobe. This procurement allows cancer patients to continue to receive the full range of medical and surgical care locally, rather than having to travel to a larger cancer treatment center hundreds of miles away.

“There is so much to be said for actually having it available in this community,” she said. “Breast cancer is so prevalent. It touches everyone here, and everyone knows someone that’s affected, whether it’s themselves, family members, friends or neighbors.

“Being able to provide complete care — screenings, consultations, treatment planning and surgery — here in Cortland is huge,” Dr. Skipton said.

Sheila Ossit, Director of the Cortland Memorial Fund, praised the Saint Agatha Foundation for their strong focus on providing funds that go directly to patient-related needs.

“Whether it’s helping pay bills, purchasing gas cards or providing comfort items to assist with healing and treatment, everyone at the Saint Agatha Foundation is laser-focused on ensuring its donations can help patients directly,” Ossit said. “Their generous gift for a new neoprobe will benefit all those seeking cancer care here at home for years to come.”

The Saint Agatha Foundation provides financial support to breast cancer patients in Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, and Jefferson counties in Central New York.