Long Island Press: Foley Helps Save Breast Cancer Program

Funding Restored to Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline

April 30, 2009

Senator Brian X. Foley (D-Blue Point) announced that state funding for a crucial program that serves breast cancer patients has been restored. The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program would have faced significant cutbacks, and possible closure, due to the governor’s proposed budget which cut all state funding for the program.

Foley was joined by Senator Craig Johnson (D-Nassau), Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Wading River), Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D-East Setauket), and Assemblyman Michelle Schimel (D–Great Neck) in announcing that all $294,000 of funding has been restored and the program will be able to continue its critical work in supporting victims of breast cancer and their families.

“I am proud to announce that we’ve been able to restore 100 percent of funding for the Adelphi NY Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program, which is a crucial part of our fight against breast cancer,” said Foley. “Breast cancer has devastated women and families throughout Long Island at alarming rates. This program provides critical support and counseling to patients during stages when they are most vulnerable. I am pleased to play a role in saving the program and look forward to working with Adelphi to continue supporting victims of breast cancer and their families.”

In addition to general counseling and support, the Adelphi NY Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program provides referrals for low-cost mammograms, answers to questions about medical insurance, and assistance in accessing support groups and other services for breast cancer patients and their families.

For the past five years, the program has provided hotline services to approximately 15,000 New York state residents. It has counseled more than 7,000 men and women and provided education services to more than 200,000 people.

“Due to the efforts of Senator Foley and his colleges, our program will be able to continue to help women and their families as they cope with a diagnosis of breast cancer,” said Hillary Rutter, director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer and Support Program. “The senator has shown that women’s health is an important priority for him.”

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