Adelphi Breast Cancer Program Saved

Senator Johnson, Assemblyman Alessi, Announce Much-Needed State Funding has been secured for Important Statewide Initiative



    GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- State funding that had been vital for the continued operation of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program has been restored under the 2009-2010 budget, Senator Craig M. Johnson (D-Nassau) and Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Wading River) announced.

    The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program has provided professional counseling, education and outreach services to thousands of breast cancer patients and their families throughout its 29-year history. The program offers assistance on a wide array of topics, including referrals for low-cost mammograms, insurance questions and wig suppliers.


    The program, which relies on the state as one of its main sources of operating funding, had its full $294,000 restored under the 2009-2010 budget that was approved earlier this month. That aid had been completely eliminated under the proposed executive budget that was introduced in December 2008.


    "Senator Johnson and Assemblyman Alessi truly recognized the value and importance of support services and our breast cancer hotline and support program," says Hillary Rutter, LCSW, the director of the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. "Through their leadership and perseverance, they rescued the program by restoring our funding."

    

    “Even in this difficult economic climate, as someone who has lost their mother and their grandmother to breast cancer, I just could not stand by as the future of this critically important program was put in jeopardy,” Senator Johnson said. “I thank Assemblyman Alessi for leading this fight in his house and I applaud all the legislators who took up this cause.”



    “Despite the current economic situation it is extremely important that we not abandon the families that are reeling from the effects of this disease,” Assemblyman Alessi said. “The restoration of funding for this program is a crucial victory for those families that have relied on it for support and guidance.”


    The restorations were made with Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding that was provided to New York State through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.


    In the past five years, The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, has provided hotline services to approximately 15,000 New York state residents, counseled more than 7,000 people and provided educational services to more than 200,000 people.

    

    The two legislators and Adelphi officials were joined by volunteers from the program, many of whom are breast cancer survivors, as well as Senator Brian X. Foley, (D-Suffolk), Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D- E. Setauket) and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck.)


    “I am pleased to work with my fellow legislators to ensure that the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program has the resources necessary to serve their critical mission,” said Senator Foley. “Long Island’s high rate of breast cancer means we must rededicate ourselves toward caring for those who have this terrible disease. The information disseminated by the Breast Cancer Hotline is crucial in counseling patients and healing women and families.”


    “Despite our difficult budget year, the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program was something we had to fight for,” Assemblyman Englebright said. “Failing to restore this funding was not an option. I'm delighted to have had the chance to work with so many colleagues that understand the vital importance of this program.”

 

    "There is no substitute for the work that is done by the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program," Assemblywoman Schimel said.

Caption: Senator Craig M. Johnson announces that vital state funding has been restored to the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program during an April 24, 2009 press event. From left: Senator Brian X. Foley (D-Suffolk), Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D- E. Setauket), Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Wading River), Senator Johnson, Program Director Hillary Rutter, LCSW, and Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel (D-Great Neck.)