Funding Secured to Support the Mission of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester

Senator Young, colleagues announce $200,000 grant for the organization

ALBANY – Women and men in Livingston County will benefit from expanded services thanks to a $200,000 grant secured by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - 57th District) for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. 

Senator Young joined a group of Senator, including Senator Patrick Gallivan to work for the funding to reach a 10 county area. The grant will be administred by the State health department. 

“Great strides have been made in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer in recent years. But the fight against this deadly disease is far from over. This grant funding will support the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester’s mission to ensure that men and women in our community are living longer, healthier lives,” said Senator Young.

Incorporated in 1997, the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester has grown into a community-based organization that’s proven its effectiveness in assisting area residents. Last year alone, the BCCR served over 2,300 unique clients, from across Livingston and nine other counties, with visits to the Coalition exceeding 4,500 people.

“Breast cancer impacts so many in our community and the team at the BCCR labor tirelessly in their fight against this tragic disease. By supporting breast cancer patients and their families as they confront this terrible disease, the BCCR is helping patients become survivors, and everyone get closer to hearing those magical words: ‘your cancer is in remission,’” Senator Young said.

Currently, the BCCR is the only full-scope community-based breast cancer organization between Albany and Buffalo. Yet, the counties served by the BCCR have some of the highest rates of breast cancer in New York State.

Upon learning of the funding, representatives from the BCCR said they were overwhelmed with gratitude for the support shown by Senator Young and her fellow legislators.

Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, Holly Anderson said, “There are no words that could possibly convey our deep gratitude for this funding. To have so many of our upstate senators fighting fiercely for families living in the aftermath of a breast cancer diagnosis, a disease that continues to take the lives of too many and impacts many more, is the stuff of ‘wildest dreams.’ For those of us in the trenches, nothing is more frustrating to hear than ‘I wish I had known about you sooner.’ This funding will provide us with the platform we need to reach those who have heard the life-changing words, ‘You have breast cancer,’ at a time when our programs and services will provide the maximum benefit. Breast cancer strikes deeply into our families and communities. Thank you to those Senators who helped to secure these funds that will allow us to reach those affected by this disease, and to support and empower them as they learn to navigate an often terribly difficult journey.”

According to statistics compiled by the National Breast Cancer Coalition, as of January 2011, over 2,899,000 women alive in the United States had a history of breast cancer. In 2015, 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among U.S. women. Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death for women in America, behind only lung cancer.