October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s an even busier time of events and activities for volunteers at the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, which offers counseling and workshops for individuals, friends and families battling breast cancer, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. And for everyone at Adelphi University, it’s a time to be especially proud of being the home of the oldest such program in the country, formed in 1980 as a project of our School of Social Work.
For over four decades, the program has provided New Yorkers with information and emotional support as they battle breast cancer. The hotline is staffed by breast cancer survivors—women and men who have gone through a diagnosis of breast cancer and now help others on their journey.
“New Beginnings” for October
- The hotline kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the announcement of its New Beginnings campaign, which urges women to schedule free or low-cost mammograms through our partnership with the New York State Cancer Services Program, attend upcoming programs and, according to program director Reyna Machado, “talk to one of our trained hotline volunteers or licensed social workers.”
- The Pink Patch Project is back this year. For a donation of $5 or more, you can pick up your patch, featuring the Adelphi Panther in pink, and support the hotline. The effort was initiated last year by Sergeant Gerry Lennon of the Department of Public Safety and Transportation after he heard about the national Pink Patch Project breast cancer fundraiser. The effort raises money and awareness about the hotline throughout the month of October.
- The program is also bringing in volunteers from diverse backgrounds and increasing its outreach to underserved communities of color.
- On October 13, the program held its Celebration of Survivorship, where three women told their inspirational stories. On October 22, there will be a drive-in movie screening of the Disney-Pixar film Coco with proceeds benefiting the program.
The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is here to help, listen and offer guidance to anyone struggling with a breast cancer diagnosis, experiencing difficulty navigating the health system amid the pandemic or looking for community resources. For help scheduling an appointment or for other support services, call 800.877.8077.
Fox 5 New York featured Adelphi’s hotline in a story on October 19, Breast cancer support groups play a vital role.