The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program has been awarded a significant five-year grant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish a groundbreaking program aimed at providing support and enhancing the quality of life for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and their families.
This is the first time the hotline, which is housed within the Adelphi University School of Social Work, has received a federal award. The CDC’s grant program, “Supporting Young Breast Cancer Survivors, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients and Their Families,” began on September 30, 2024, with annual funding through September 20, 2029. The hotline is among 11 grant recipients, including Weill Medical College–Cornell University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, that will share a total of $18.4 million.
As a result of this five-year award, the hotline will initiate the Survivorship, Treatment, Education and Peer Support (STEP) Program, which will support and improve the quality of life for young women diagnosed with breast cancer, MBC patients and their families.
The 25,000 women who will benefit from the program will be from the hotline’s priority populations, including Hispanic and Black women and individuals from medically underserved communities. According to the New York State Cancer Registry, these communities are among the most vulnerable and are more likely to die from the disease. They demonstrate a need for education about breast health, early detection and culturally competent navigation to access services.
Reyna Machado, executive director of the breast cancer program, expressed her gratitude for the significant funding of this new initiative, emphasizing the program’s dedication to medically underserved communities. “The STEP Program will fund a specific initiative by the CDC that aligns with our goals, allowing us to reach and support medically underserved breast cancer patients across New York state,” she said.
The STEP Program encompasses four culturally relevant breast cancer support services, including survivorship programming, treatment services facilitated by licensed social workers for individuals and groups, educational outreach, community programs, provider education, referrals, and peer support.
The program will aim to establish and maintain psychosocial services in collaboration with Mercy Hospital and Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC). These partnerships will ensure that patients, survivors, caregivers, family and friends can access necessary support systems.
The Hotline’s STEP Program is among its many support services, all of which are complementary and funded by grants and private donations. Additional services include a new group for patients grappling with the side effects of hormone therapy. The organization hosted its annual Celebration of Survivorship event on October 18, where breast cancer survivors shared their inspiring stories of strength and resilience.
Upcoming programs include an online forum featuring a practitioner from Northwell Health who will guide participants through meditation to alleviate holiday season stress and the Warriors Book Club, tailored to the needs of breast cancer survivors.
Learn more about the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program’s services and upcoming events.