An issue that hits very close to home for me and many Long Islanders is breast cancer. ?Breast Cancer has been projected to affect one out of every nine women. Here on Long Island there has been a history of abnormal increases in breast cancer cases, especially within Suffolk?s North Shore communities: St. James, East Setauket, Stony Brook, Mt. Sinai, Miller Place, Rocky Point, Shoreham and Wading River areas.
A study titled the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project was commissioned back in 2002, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.? The main charge was to investigate Breast Cancer and the Environment in several Nassau and Suffolk communities to determine if certain environmental contaminants increased the risk of breast cancer.? Their study was inconclusive.
This terrible disease has inflicted so much heartache for countless Long Island families and many Young Islanders have lost mothers, sisters and grandmothers.? However, in the darkness came a shimmer of light to help those? women and men dealing with breast cancer.
A nonprofit group known as Long Island 2 Day was formed back in 2004 to support those struggling with breast cancer through raising funds to help families in need of emotional and financial support.? Through this group over a dozen smaller community based coalitions have been funded and 100% of those funds are distributed back to the people who need it the most.? To date, Long Island 2 Day has raised over $4 million, which has directly helped countless families.
As someone who has a close relative dealing with Breast Cancer I was introduced to one organization, whose altruism has been a source of hope and comfort for my family. I spoke with Patti Kozlowski of the North Shore Neighbors Breast Cancer Coalition, a volunteer who started a nonprofit to assist those in need.
How did your organization begin?
I co-founded NSNBCC about 10 years ago with Bindy Koontz after having participated in the Miller Place Avon walk for Cancer in which we raised over $64,000. I am the only person on staff and volunteer my time after work and on the weekends.
Having participated in various cancer rallies, we learned some of the highest cancer rates in the country were right in our back yard. Another issue of concern to us was that little to no money was coming back to our community through those national breast cancer associations.
We formed an organization of our own to help people where we lived. NSNBCC was later approached by LI2Day to participate and receive a grant to operate.? Our organization later became part of a larger local network of non-profits whose mission was to help communicate services that are available to cancer patients in our communities.
What services does your organization provide and do you work with other breast cancer groups in your area?
One of the main programs we offer is the ?Lend a Helping Hand Program:? A nonmedical support service that provides meals, transportation and cleaning services for cancer patients and their families.
In addition we also offer financial assistance in emergency situations to help pay for utilities, oil delivery, some co-pays, wigs and other non medical supplies not covered by insurance.? Due to the state of the economy, during the past two years we have seen our largest request for financial assistance.? We have helped 30 to 40 families each year.
Our organization works very closely with the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Center at Stony Brook University whose social workers regularly refer people to us for assistance. We also receive referrals from the American Cancer Society.
What are your biggest challenges?
Raising awareness about our organization has been the biggest issue for us. We and other local groups compete for dollars with the American Cancer Society.? They have big national marketing campaigns, which creates name recognition causing us to compete for the same donors.? They do great work and raise money for worthy programs.? However, what most donors do not realize is that their money does not come back to their communities to help those neighbors that 
need it the most.
What can women do to be proactive about their health?
Women should check themselves through self-exam, trust their instincts and go for regular mammographies. They should also read the published guidelines for dietary, chemical exposure and hormones.? In other words education yourself.
North Shore Neighbors Breast Cancer Coalition has been working tirelessly for years to help those inflicted with cancer to cope with every day challenges.? They have relied solely on the generosity of people like you and me to keep it going.? They recently received a grant from Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, an ardent supporter on this issue who has pushed for years to find a link to the increased breast cancer rates on Long Island.
Today, Patti will be honored as the Times Beacon Record Woman of the Year for her efforts to make each day a little more comfortable for those dealing with cancer.
If you would like to learn more about how you can help support the North Shore Neighbors Breast Cancer Coalition or other groups in your area, please visit www.li2daywalk.org and support the upcoming LI2Day Walk on June 9 and 10.
mega ball winning numbers baltimore county current tv megamillions ncaa basketball tournament 2012 megamillions winning numbers lotto winner
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.