9.13.18 - Sen. Fred Akshar and YWCA invite the community to 18th Annual All Paws for a Cause, announce $120,000 in state funding for ENCOREplus Program

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Senator Fred Akshar and the YWCA Binghamton are inviting the community to the 18th Annual All Paws for a Cause dog walk and fundraiser this Sunday, September 16th at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton.

Residents are invited to bring their furry friends to enjoy the park and compete in a variety of contests, including Highest Jump, Best Howl/Bark, Hairiest Dog and Owner Look-a-Like.

All proceeds will go to support ENCOREplus, a YWCA breast and cervical health outreach, education & advocacy program that's been focused on the Southern Tier community for 24 years.

ENCOREplus offers educational workshops and assists un- or underinsured women in accessing free lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screenings. They also offer free transportation to and from appointments as well as child or adult care to break down any barriers that might prevent a woman from making a scheduled appointment. ENCOREplus reaches an average of 3,000 women yearly.

“This year marks our 18th All Paws for a Cause walk,” said ENCOREplus Senior Project Director Crystal Sackett. “We are proud of the fact that the event raises funds to pay for preventive screenings for women who are not eligible for the ENCOREplus program. Last year we were able to get 100 women who would not otherwise have access to the preventive screenings.”

Dog registration is $20 in advance, $25 at the event with each additional dog at $5 each. Participants can register today at www.YWCABinghamton.org.

Senator Akshar also announced $120,000 in state funding for the ENCOREplus program to continue providing services to women in the 52nd Senate District.
 

“The YWCA provides a variety of essential services to families in our community,” Senator Fred Akshar said. “ENCOREplus fills a gap in health services to help women get the lifesaving healthcare education and screenings they might not otherwise receive. I'm proud to have been able to secure funding to help their program continue their good work for women and families across the 52nd Senate District.”

“Without this funding from Senator Akshar, ENCOREplus would have to stop it’s preventive screening program at the end of 2018,” said Sackett. “Because he secured this for us, we will be able to reach at least 4,000 women in 2019.”

The $120,000 in funding has been secured in the State Budget and will be administered through the New York State Department of Health.

For more information on All Paws for a Cause, please contact Crystal Sackett at 607-772-0340 ext. 242.