2009-J3774
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast
Cancer Hotline and Support Program upon the occasion of its 30th Anni-
versary
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud organizations which, because of their diligence and compassion-
ate commitment, significantly affect the quality of life of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program
upon the occasion of the celebration of its 30th Anniversary of provid-
ing breast cancer information, support, and hope to New York women, men,
and their families; and
WHEREAS, The Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and
Support Program began 30 years ago in response to an unmet need in the
community; at a time when breast cancer was feared and rarely mentioned,
women had no one and no place to go to talk to about the disease with
which they had been diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing this unmet need, in 1980, the Adelphi University
School of Social Work began a support group for women who had undergone
a mastectomy; when the group ended, the women in the group, who had all
felt very isolated when they were diagnosed, believed they had benefited
so greatly from participating in the group, they wanted to reach out to
other women; and
WHEREAS, With this impetus and encouragement the Woman-to-Woman
Hotline was developed and introduced in 1982 with nine trained volun-
teers available for seven hours a week; and
WHEREAS, The Hotline was expanded in 1989, offering information,
referrals, and emotional support to all of New York State as the Adelphi
New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program; and
WHEREAS, Today, more than 100 trained and supervised volunteers, most
of whom are breast cancer survivors, and professional social work staff
provide these services to approximately 4,000 New Yorkers annually and
many other programs and services are offered as well; and
WHEREAS, The Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and
Support Program's Counseling Program has provided professional coun-
seling services to about 10,000 people and 500 support groups; over 60
Master of Social Work degree students have been trained through its
educational programs and at least 70 educational forums have been
conducted; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of its 30 years of distinguished service, the
Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program has
reached 500,000 people through community workshops and outreach and its
outstanding website has been visited by more than two million people;
and
WHEREAS, The Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and
Support Program, its staff and many volunteers have contributed signif-
icantly to the dramatic changes in public awareness and greater under-
standing of breast cancer since it was established; and
WHEREAS, The Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and
Support Program has justly earned the many honors and awards it has
achieved as well as its long-standing reputation for excellence and for
setting a standard for others to follow and truly merits the appreci-
ation of all those who have benefited from its services; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support
Program upon the occasion of the celebration of its 30th Anniversary of
providing breast cancer information, support, and hope to New York
women, men, and their families, to applaud its long and sustained
commitment to those its serves, and to pay tribute to all those who have
given of themselves to help fulfill its mission; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and
Support Program.