Pluta Cancer Foundation is proud to announce O’Connell Electric Company as the Title Sponsor for our 2025 programming. With their generous donation of $75,000 to Pluta, O’Connell becomes the inaugural Title Partner in the Foundation’s newly launched Corporate Partners Program.
O’Connell Electric and the Parkes family have a long history of philanthropy in the Rochester community and have been steadfast supporters of Pluta Cancer Foundation for more than 20 years. Walt Parkes, Chairman and former CEO of O’Connell Electric, was a founding member of the board of Pluta Cancer Center, which was established in 2001 after the closure of Genesee Hospital as New York’s first independent not-for-profit cancer center. In 2012, Pluta Cancer Center joined the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute, and Pluta Cancer Foundation was established.
Through the Foundation’s history, the leadership of O’Connell Electric Company have been supportive of Pluta Cancer Foundation’s mission. Michael Parkes, CEO of O’Connell Electric and board member at Pluta Cancer Foundation said, “At O’Connell Electric, we recognize that supporting patients in their cancer journey is one of the most important commitments we can make. Through our partnership with Pluta Cancer Foundation, we are proud to help ensure that all patients and families receive the compassionate care and support they need during their most challenging times.”
As the Title Sponsor, O’Connell Electric will receive prominent recognition at Pluta’s two premier events: the 26th Annual Emerald Ball on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the Wegmans Conference Center, and the Très Chic Luncheon and Fashion Show on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Monroe Golf Club.
The gift from O’Connell will support the growth of the Foundation’s patient financial needs fund. This program assists patients by covering essential expenses like rent, utilities, and car payments, allowing them to focus on their health and families. Last year, the Foundation provided this aid to 116 patients, and the need continues to grow. The O’Connell gift will also fund professional development and engagement activities for Pluta Cancer Center providers, nurses, and staff who are at the front lines of patient care.
Pluta Cancer Foundation Board Chair Ron Pluta expressed his gratitude, saying, “I can’t thank the team at O’Connell Electric enough for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to our mission. Their leadership as our inaugural Title Partner will have a lasting impact on the lives of the patients and families we serve.”
About O’Connell Electric Company
Founded in 1911, O’Connell Electric Company has grown to become one of the largest electrical contractors in the nation. Headquartered in Victor, NY, the company operates seven office locations across New York State, including Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse. O’Connell Electric specializes in industrial and commercial construction, power line and substation work, vegetation management, communications, transportation, renewable energy, service and preventive maintenance. With a strong commitment to quality, safety, and innovation, O’Connell Electric continues to lead the industry by delivering exceptional electrical solutions and services to its clients.
About Pluta Cancer Foundation
Pluta Cancer Foundation, established in 2012, supports the patients of Pluta Cancer Center, part of Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center, the region’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center. The Foundation provides direct financial support to patients and families, funds Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center, the only facility of its kind in Upstate NY, at no cost to patients, and invests in research and clinical support through the Pluta Comprehensive Breast Care program. Through these initiatives, Pluta Cancer Foundation makes sure that no patient faces their cancer journey alone.
