Support Connection: SC In the News

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Telephone Support Group for Women with Breast Cancer Begins November 5

October 8, 2008

Beginning on November 5, Support Connection, Inc. will offer a monthly support group via toll-free teleconference for women living with breast cancer. The group will take place on the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 8 pm (NY time). Support Connection is a not-for-profit organization specializing in free, confidential support services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.

This new service will enable women living with breast cancer to participate in a support group without leaving their homes. It will also make a support group available to women regardless of where they live. Discussion will focus on topics related to living with breast cancer through all stages of diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment. Women with breast cancer will have the opportunity to connect with other survivors, share information and experiences, and gain support from one another. The group will be led by a Support Connection peer facilitator who is a breast cancer survivor.

Participation is free but pre-registration is required. After registering in advance, participants will call a special toll-free number on the evening of the group and be connected with one another and the facilitator via teleconference. For info or to register, call Support Connection at 914-962-6402, or toll-free at 800-532-4290.

Support Connection, Inc. was established in 1996 and since then has provided a wide range of individual and group services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Based in Yorktown Heights, Support Connection offers in-person support groups in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, as well as a toll-free telephone support group for women with ovarian cancer. Additional services include: One-on-One Peer Counseling, which can be provided in person or over the phone; wellness workshops and educational programs offered at various sites; a toll-free cancer information and support hotline; resource and referral information. To learn more about Support Connection’s programs and services, call 914-962-6402 or 800-532-4290 or visit www.supportconnection.org.

Thousands to Walk This Weekend to Help Fight Breast and Ovarian Cancer

September 30, 2008

(Yorktown Heights, NY) It’s not too late to join the thousands of local residents who will be at FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights this Sunday, October 5th (rain or shine) for Support Connection’s 14th Annual Support-A-Walk. The annual walkathon is held by Support Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization offering free, confidential support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.

The Support-A-Walk was founded fourteen years ago by local residents as a way to increase awareness about breast and ovarian cancer. Last year, close to 9,000 people participated in this spirited, uplifting community event. Participants complete a 3-mile walk, often in honor of loved ones – a celebration of life and a tribute to those who are affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Families, friends, co-workers and teams of walkers are invited to walk together. Individuals are also welcome to participate.

Leading the way for this year’s “Not For Women Only” campaign will be Honorary Chairperson Matt Sampson of News 12 Westchester. Also on hand will be Master of Ceremonies Kacey Morabito of 100.7 WHUD Radio’s “Mike and Kacey in the Morning.”

At 9:00 a.m. there will be pre-walk activities and entertainment including live music and face painting for the children, and gathering time for teams of walkers. Welcoming remarks are at 9:15. At 9:30 there will be warm-up and stretching to music led by staff from Club Fit. At 10:00 a.m. the ribbon will be cut and the Walk will begin. Afterwards there will be free refreshments, music and The Support-A-Walk raffle drawing. Throughout the morning there will be awareness jewelry, greeting cards, books and other merchandise available, as well as information about Support Connection’s free breast and ovarian cancer support groups, programs and services.

For information, to pre-register or donate, call 914-962-6402 or visit www.supportconnection.org. For those unable to pre-register, in-person registration will be available at 9:00 a.m. at the Walk.

Women’s Health Education Event Draws More Than 40 Participants

September 15, 2008

(Yorktown Heights, NY) More than 40 women have registered to attend Support Connection’s women’s health education event scheduled for this Friday, September 19, at Club Fit in Jefferson Valley, from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Called “Shake It Up, Tune In and Take Charge of Your Health,” the focus of the evening is to offer women a chance to combine fun, fitness and learning. It is being held in September in honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

The evening will begin with a presentation by Judith Leger, a well-regarded Woman’s Health Nurse Practitioner with many years of experience helping women focus on their own health care needs. Judith will offer guidance on how to tune in and listen to your body, and how to make the most of your doctors’ visits. Next, representatives from Support Connection and SHARE will provide information about the groups’ services for women with ovarian cancer.

Then participants will “shake it up” for fun and fitness with expert line dance instructor Skip Earle. Skip has taught line dancing across NY and CT, has given dance workshops at physical education conferences from the local to the national level, and has received numerous awards including “Dance Educator of the Year.” Line dancing is a popular form of exercise that is easy to learn and fun to do for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Support Connection, Inc. is a not for profit organization based in Yorktown Heights, NY that provides free, confidential support services and programs to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Support Connection’s services include one-on-one peer counseling, ongoing support groups, wellness classes and workshops, educational forums, a toll-free information and support hotline, referrals and resource information. To learn more visit www.supportconnection.org. SHARE is a not-for-profit organization based in New York, NY that provides peer-led support services free of charge to women with breast or ovarian cancer, their families and friends. To learn more visit www.sharecancersupport.org.

This program is presented by Support Connection, Inc. as part of their 2008 “Tune In and Take Charge!” campaign to build awareness of ovarian cancer signs and symptoms, to encourage women to self-advocate for their own health, and to give women the tools they need to take action. It is being held in September which is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. To learn more about the program or about Support Connection, call 914-962-6402 or 1-800-532-4290.

Toll-Free Teleconference for Women with Ovarian Cancer

September 1, 2008

(Yorktown Heights, NY) On Wednesday, September 24, from 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm (EST) Support Connection will present “Tune In and Take Charge: Don’t Face It Alone”: a toll-free teleconference for women with ovarian cancer. In addition to offering educational information, the teleconference format enables women living with ovarian cancer, regardless of where they live, to make connections with and gain support from other survivors. The event is being held in September in recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

In the first half of the teleconference, Cathleen O’Connor, a certified Stress Management Consultant and founder of the StoneWater Sanctuary® wellness center, will address the importance of self-care and nurturance while living with ovarian cancer. She will discuss the power of knowing your own needs and giving yourself permission to have those needs met, as well as ways to enhance your health and well being.

The second half of the discussion will highlight information from the Eleventh Annual Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference in Washington, DC. Support Connection staff and volunteers who attended the conference in July will share what they learned from presentations by world renowned speakers, medical professionals and researchers.

Also taking part in the teleconference will be Support Connection peer facilitators and volunteers who are living with ovarian cancer. Throughout the evening, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, interact with one another, and share common life experiences.

The program is free. Women interested in participating should call Support Connection in advance to register and receive instructions. On the night of the teleconference, participants will call a special toll-free number and be connected with the group. To learn more or to register, call Support Connection at 914-962-6402 or 1-800-532-4290.

This program is presented by Support Connection as part of their 2008 “Tune In and Take Charge!” campaign to build awareness of ovarian cancer signs and symptoms, to encourage women to self-advocate for their own health, and to give women the tools they need to take action. It was made possible in part by a grant from The HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation. www.herafoundation.org.

ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the US. It is estimated that in the United States in 2008, about 21,650 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed, and about 15,520 women will die from the disease. If ovarian cancer is found and treated before the cancer has spread outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is 92%. However, fewer than 20% of all ovarian cancers are found at this early stage. (American Cancer Society)

New Breast Cancer Support Group Offered in Dutchess

July 29, 2008

(Yorktown Heights, NY) Support Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization specializing in free, confidential support services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer, announces the launch of a new monthly support group in Dutchess County for women living with breast cancer. Beginning on September 9, the group will meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 10:15 – 11:45 am at the East Fishkill Community Library in Hopewell Junction. Participation is free but pre-registration is required.

The group will be led by a breast cancer survivor who has been trained by Support Connection staff as a peer facilitator. Discussion will focus on topics related to living with breast cancer through all stages of diagnosis, treatment and post-treatment. The group will enable women to connect with other survivors, to share information and experiences, and to gain support from one another. To learn more or to pre-register, call Support Connection at 914-962-6402, or 1-800-532-4290.

Support Connection, Inc. was established in 1996 and since that time has been providing a wide range of individual and group services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Based in Yorktown Heights, the organization currently offers other support groups in Westchester and Putnam counties (as well as a toll-free teleconference support group for women with ovarian cancer.) The breast cancer group at the East Fishkill Community Library is the first ongoing support group they have offered in Dutchess County.

Additional Support Connection services include: One-on-One Peer Counseling, which can be provided in person or over the phone; Wellness Workshops and Educational Programs offered at various sites; a Toll-Free Hotline; Resource and Referral Information. To learn more about Support Connection’s programs and services, call them or visit www.supportconnection.org.

Hundreds Attend Gala for Cancer Support Group

April 9, 2008

(Yorktown Heights, NY) More than 300 people attended Support Connection, Inc.’s Eleventh Annual Gala and Silent Auction on April 4, 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Fishkill, NY. The evening was an opportunity for Support Connection to honor some of the people who have supported the organization, and to raise funds for their free support services and programs for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Awards of distinction were presented to six area residents: Savo Fries of Somers; Barry Levin and Micki Liebman of Yorktown; Judith Leger of Mohegan Lake; Chun Kim-Levin of Mahopac Falls; and Gwen Harding-Peets of Staatsburg.

Savo Fries (Somers) was presented with the Beacon of Light Award. Ms. Fries has been an enthusiastic champion of Support Connection from the beginning, as a long-time business associate of co-founder Nancy Heller of Yorktown Heights. She believes strongly in the organization’s mission and consistently promotes it with others in the community. Ms. Fries is the Branch Manager of Houlihan Lawrence’s Yorktown office; she has served as President and Secretary/Treasurer of the NY State Association of Realtors; Director of the National Association of Realtors; President of the Westchester County Board of Realtors and the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service; and has twice been named Realtor of the Year. Through her longstanding position in the business community, she encourages others to support and become involved with this cause. She also serves on Support Connection’s Advisory Board, volunteers at the annual Support-A-Walk, and is a constant presence at the organization’s other events.

Barry Levin (Yorktown) was presented with the Humanitarian of the Year Award for his advocacy on behalf of Support Connection and his outstanding community service. Mr. Levin, a Sales Associate with American Solutions for Business, was introduced to Support Connection in 2000. In this capacity, he has provided a wide range of business and promotional items, always offering effective ideas to help spread the organization’s message. But more than that, through his substantial involvement with other community non-profit organizations such as Yorktown Lodge-Knights of Pythias, Yorktown Lions, Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, and the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Levin has become an unofficial “spokesperson” for Support Connection. He seizes every opportunity to make sure others know about the organization’s mission and the work that they do.

Micki Liebman (Yorktown) was the presented with the Spirit of Caring Award. Ms. Liebman first became involved with Support Connection about 10 years ago; when seeking a local organization to volunteer her time, she was drawn to Support Connection because of a family history with breast cancer. She has been a caring, compassionate and enthusiastic volunteer ever since. Ms. Liebman’s trademark is a down-to-earth passion for helping others, combined with a willingness to roll up her sleeves and tackle whatever jobs present themselves with great energy and determination. In 2007, Ms. Liebman served as volunteer Co-Chair of the organization’s Annual Support-A-Walk; her dedication and hard work helped to bring it to new heights, as it was the most successful Walk in the event’s history.

Judith Leger (Mohegan Lake) received one of three Spirit of Hope Awards. Ms. Leger is a Woman’s Health Nurse Practitioner who recently retired after many years with the Women’s Health Department at Hudson River HealthCare, Inc. in Peekskill. Her work with Support Connection began about 10 years ago when she reached out to offer her expertise in the area of alternative healing methodologies. Ms. Leger has since partnered with Support Connection to plan retreats, introduce clients to complimentary health care practices, and offer seminars in Aromatherapy. She has also helped individuals lacking health coverage or financial means obtain needed medical care. She is a warm, caring individual who always puts her patients’ needs first. She was honored for the help she has given to numerous Support Connection participants via her healing and inspirational assistance.

Another Spirit of Hope Award recipient was Chun Kim-Levin (Mahopac Falls). Ms. Kim-Levin is a Board Certified Holistic Nurse and certified Prana yoga teacher. She has been a healthcare professional for over 35 years with 15 years of healthcare management experience. In 1997, she founded LifeSpring Holistic Services in the belief that we can attain a healthier, fuller life by harnessing and harmonizing MindBodySpirit. She became involved with Support Connection began several years ago when she offered a yoga class for women living with breast and ovarian cancer. The classes were extremely successful; along with other workshops and programs she teaches, they are now a regular part of the organization’s offerings. Ms. Kim-Levin was honored for the soothing, gentle and healing impact she has on the lives she touches through these programs, which support women through diagnosis, treatment and life beyond cancer.

The third Spirit of Hope Award was presented to Gwen Harding-Peets (Staatsburg). Since 2006, Ms. Harding-Peets has been the volunteer facilitator for Support Connection’s monthly toll-free telephone support group for women with ovarian cancer. She is strongly committed to this task which connects women in various parts of the country, many of whom have no other access to support.

Her volunteer efforts have been essential in enabling Support Connection to maintain and enhance this valuable and unique program. As a third year ovarian cancer survivor, Ms. Harding-Peets puts aside her own needs to help others, offering hope to so many women who would otherwise be isolated with no information or support. Ms. Harding-Peets is also an active vounteer with other groups that help women with ovarian cancer. She is a member of the Linda Young Ovarian Cancer Support Program at Benedictine Hospital in Kingston, NY, as a support group member and serving on the Advisory Committee; she received their 2007 Survivor Award. She participates in “Survivor’s Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Lives” - a program targeting medical school students, nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. She has also volunteered extensively for SHARE, another organization serving women with breast and ovarian cancer. Ms. Harding-Peets was honored for her selfless and compassionate advocacy on behalf of women with ovarian cancer.

Founded in 1996, Support Connection, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide emotional, social and educational support services to women, their families and friends affected by breast and ovarian cancer. The support provided enables women to help each other and empowers them to become their own healthcare advocates. All services are free and confidential. For more information about Support Connection’s free programs and services, please call 914-962-6402, or visit www.supportconnection.org.

Support Connection Receives Grant for Breast Cancer Support Services

February 4, 2008

(Yorktown Heights, NY) Support Connection Inc., a not-for-profit organization offering free, confidential support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer, recently received a $10,000 grant from The Beth C. Tortolani Foundation. The grant will help fund Support Connection’s Customized Care Services Program for Breast Cancer Survivors.

Support Connection’s program provides personalized, confidential support and education as well as one-on-one peer counseling. All services are provided free of charge. Peer Counselors are women who have experienced breast or ovarian cancer and have also received professional training. Peer counseling is provided on the phone or in person, and is available from the time of diagnosis for as long as it is needed, as often as it is needed. Support is available to family members and loved ones as well. The demand for this service has grown steadily over the years, and the grant from The Beth C. Tortolani Foundation will help Support Connection meet this increased need.

The Beth C. Tortolani Foundation, based in Manhasset, NY, was developed to support and organize programs and services which provide resources, knowledge and skills to women with breast cancer and their families in order to enhance the quality of their lives. To learn more about The Beth C. Tortolani Foundation, visit their website at www.bctfoundation.org.

Established in 1996, Support Connection, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization based in Yorktown Heights that provides free, confidential support services and programs to women, their families and friends affected by breast and ovarian cancer. The support provided enables women to help each other and empowers them to become their own healthcare advocates. To learn more about Support Connection’s services, call 914-962-6402 or 1-800-532-4290, or visit their website at www.supportconnection.org.

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