(Published by: Examiner Media) Celebrating it 15 year anniversary of helping women and their families deal with breast and ovarian cancer, Support Connection honored those who have given of themselves at its annual gala held at The Mansion at Colonial Terrace on Saturday, April 14.
“Our honorees come from many walks of life but share a common bond that enables us to offer hope and support to people dealing with breast and ovarian cancer,” said Katherine Quinn, executive director of Support Connection. “Because of their belief in our mission, they help us provide free, confidential breast and ovarian cancer support services to those who reach out to us. The kind ness and generosity of our honorees makes a positive difference in many lives.”
Dana Boulanger of Somers was recognized as the Humanitarian of the Year. A breast cancer survivor, she took the activities that Support Connection opened her up to yoga and meditation, and found a way to pass the knowledge on to others. She started publishing Natural Awakenings Magazine with her business partner Marilee Burrell.
“I was given a gift, namely, the chance to make a difference not only in my own life but in the lives of others,” said Boulanger. “Support Connection helped me to embrace the power I had within to fight the battle of my life. Now I feel it is only natural to share the same spirit of giving with others.”
Jane Gentile of Yorktown is a breast cancer survivor who along with her husband Jim, was a 2011 ambassador for Support Connection’s annual Support-a-Walk. She was honored with the Spirit of Hope Award.
“When my spirit was broken and I felt that all hope was lost, it was my family, friends and Support Connection that helped me put my life back on track,” said Gentile. “My hope is to continue to be an important part of Support Connection by volunteering and spreading the word about this great organization.”
Sister-in-laws Brenda Maxwell and Margaret Zulkowsky, both of Yorktown, were not only awarded the Beacon of Light award, but the duo were also named the 2012 ambassadors for the Support-a-Walk. Maxwell, was one of the organization’s earliest volunteers and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2010. Zulkowsky who started volunteering in 1996 was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Zulkowsky has been cancer free for a year. Maxwell is still fighting the battle.
“Receiving the Beacon of Light award along with my sister-in-law Margaret makes me feel proud and makes me truly want to be a ‘beacon of light’ to those that will someday also face breast or ovarian cancer,” said Maxwell.
Zulkowsky was also humbled to share the distinction with Maxwell. “I hope to be a role model for others dealing with this disease,” Zulkowsky said.
In addition, 15 unsung heroes were praised for their commitment to Support Connection. Those who were applauded include Mary and Peter Fellbusch of Absolute Flooring, Inc., Al Avitabile, Mia Azcue, Celeste Baccari, Brian William and William Perillo of Brian William Event Decorators, Kristen Burke, LeeAnn Byrne, the Davidson family, DeCicco Family Markets, Joe Guiliano of Yorktown Pizza, Sari Martin, Bianca Giannetta of the Moms of 2411 Support-a-Walk team, Mary Heagle, Freddy Orzechowski, Susan Petroccione and Jo Vasta.
To read the full article online, click here.
(Published by: Lohud.com. Written by: Brian Howard) Support Connection Inc. of Yorktown Heights, NY, which offers free, confidential support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer, recently received several grants to help fund their programs. As an independent not-for-profit organization that is not affiliated with any national groups, all of Support Connection’s services and programs are funded by contributions and grants.
Two of the recent grants will help fund Support Connection’s One-on-One Peer Counseling Program. This program provides free, personalized, confidential support and education to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. The professional Peer Counselors on Support Connection’s staff are cancer survivors themselves. Peer Counselors are available 5 days a week, at the Support Connection office and by phone. Peer counseling can be utilized at any time during a person’s journey with cancer, with no limits. It is also available to family members and loved ones.
Sole Ryeders and Friends of Rye, NY approved a two year grant totaling $15,000 to help fund the Peer Counseling program. This is the second time Support Connection has received funds from Sole Ryeders. Founded in 2007, Sole Ryeders & Friends is a community based charitable organization that raises funds to provide financial support to Westchester County based cancer-related programs. To learn more, visit https://soleryeders.org.
The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, based in Lagrangeville, NY, a gave a $10,000 grant to help fund the Peer Counseling Program for one year. In addition, Miles of Hope gave a grant of $3,818 to help fund a weekly yoga class for women with breast cancer for one year. Miles of Hope has been supporting programs offered by Support Connection since 2004. The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit 501© (3) public charity established in 2004. Their mission is to provide funding to non-profit organizations for support services and outreach for people affected by breast cancer in the Hudson Valley, NY. They hold fundraising events throughout the year to support their efforts. To learn more, visit https://www.milesofhope.org. Grants from The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation are facilitated by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley www.cfhvny.org
Support Connection, Inc., founded in 1996, recently marked their 15th year of service to the community. It is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Services include: One-on-one peer counseling; monthly support groups; ongoing wellness classes; holistic health workshops; public educational programs; information and referral services. Support Connection is based in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.; however, through their toll-free info and support hotline they serve people throughout the country. To learn more, visit www.supportconnection.org or call: 914-962-6402 or Toll-Free 800-532-4290. Support Connection Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support: We’ve been there. We care.
Support Connection recently received several grants to help fund their programs. As an independent not-for-profit organization that is not affiliated with any national groups, all of Support Connection’s services and programs are funded by contributions and grants.
To read the full article online, click here.
(Published by: Yorktown Somers Patch)
Kristen Burke was four years old when her grandmother died of breast cancer. Now as a senior at Yorktown High School, Kristen has been involved with the Yorktown Leo Club benefit concert for Support Connection for the last four years since it first began.
She calls the benefit concert her “brainchild” and her grandmother – the “inspiration” for the event.
“I love music, and I really enjoy helping people,” Kristen said and added that she was thinking of how to put these two ideas together. “I hope that [my grandmother] would be proud of me for all this event has done for cancer research and support groups.”
Over the last three years, through the benefit concert, members have collected more than $8,000 for Support Connection and the American Cancer Society. Katherine Quinn, executive director for Support Connection, said many of the members of the Leo Club have had family members and friends experience cancer, so they know and appreciate how important Support Connection’s services are.
“I know they are very proud of what they do and they should be,” Quinn said. “Because of people like Kristen and the fellow Leos, Support Connection gets much needed support. They are truly helping us make a difference in the lives of people with breast or ovarian cancer. For all they do, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The fourth annual event, entitled “Music Makes a Difference: Concert for Cancer” will be held on March 30 at Yorktown Stage where seven local bands from Yorktown, Mahopac, Somers and Croton will be performing.
Kristen said a special group of singers from Yorktown High School will be performing the song “Seasons of Love” from the musical RENT.
“The talent really works hard to practice their set lists and throw in a few surprises for this event,” she said. “We have a special prize package for the band that sells the most tickets to support the cause.”
The prizes include eight hours of studio recording time with AFA Recording Studio in Carmel, a guaranteed spot to perform at this year’s Support Connection Walk-a-Thon in October and being a guest editor on Yorktown Patch for the day to post all of their band happenings and events. Other gifts include a $50 Sam Ashe Gift Card.
“I think this event teaches a lot to the teens of Yorktown,” Kristen said. “The members of the Leo Club love giving their time to help the community and really enjoy it. The projects we are involved in are genuinely fun and we are always immensely thanked by the organizations we work with, which is a great feeling in itself. Even though we are young, we still have a lot of opportunities to truly make a difference and better our community.”
The participating bands also learn their music can bring a community together for a good cause. Kristen said the Leo Club members appreciate every performer who has participated in the event over the past years.
Quinn, whose three of her four children had also been involved with the teen volunteer group years ago, called members of the Leo Club a “gift.” “Under the tireless leadership of Al Avitabile, these young adults prove time and time again that they are leaders with compassion, talent and dedication,” she said. “I enjoy working with teenagers, so when I first heard of the concerts, I thought, ‘Go for it. How wonderful is it to get young people involved with things they enjoy and can relate to.”
Published by: Lohud.com. Written by: Brian Howard
The Yorktown Town Board has nominated Support Connection Executive Director Kathy Quinn as a Woman of Distinction.
Nominees for the newly established award have been sought by the Office of State Sen. Greg Ball, R-Patterson.
According to Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace’s office, the Town Board was inundated with overwhelmed with nominees, including Donna Simone-Sofo, founder of Yorktown Love in Action; Paula Miritello, founder of My Brother Vinny Charitable Organization; local volunteer Patricia Caporale; Tricy Cushner and Lisa Tomeny of the Alliance for Safe Kids; Yorktown Town Clerk Alice; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church volunteer Gerarda Brown, a mother of 9 and grandmother of 29; Yorktown Senior Nutrition Director Mary DeSilva; Yorktown Teen Center president Helena Rodriguez; founder of Special Program and Resource Connection Rose Rothe; Jessica D’Amato, founder of Young Yorktown Advocates United; Joan Seaboldt, founder of Yorktown Community HELP; Yorktown Central School District media manager Karli Wheeler; and the late youth and senior advocate Joan Valenstein.
“It is truly wonderful to have had so many worthy nominees,” a statement from Grace’s office reads. “It speaks to the generous nature of Yorktowners, and that which truly makes Yorktown a great place to live. With so many worthy nominees, the task of nominating just one was a difficult one. The Town Board congratulates Katherine Quinn in her selection as this year’s Yorktown’s Women of Distinction and congratulations to all those who were otherwise nominated.”