Support Connection recently received three grants to support their multifaceted array of personalized peer-to-peer support services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. 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.
The cornerstone of Support Connection’s full range of services is their Peer-to-Peer Counseling Program. The Peer Counselors on Support Connection’s staff are cancer survivors themselves. Peer Counselors are available 5 days a week at the Support Connection office. Those in need of information and support can receive counseling in person, by phone and by email. 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. Peer Counseling can be provided in person, by toll-free telephone, and even by email.
Peer Counselors answer questions; provide in depth counseling and support; make additional service referrals; help navigate confusing medical systems; listen as often and as long as necessary. Peer Counselors also facilitate support groups and plan our comprehensive array of educational and wellness programs.
Support Connection is pleased to express our tremendous gratitude to the following organizations for these grants:
Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation: Awarded a $15,000 grant to help fund services for people affected by breast cancer. The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, based in Lagrangeville, NY, is a non-profit, 501-c-3 public charity established in March of 2004. The mission of the Foundation is to fund support services and outreach for people affected by breast cancer within the eight counties of the Hudson Valley, NY. The Foundation was started by Dana Effron and Cathy Varunok, two community activists who saw a need for increased services for people with breast cancer. For years, Dana and Cathy raised money for national breast cancer organizations but in 2004 they decided to focus their fundraising efforts on helping their friends and neighbors in the Hudson Valley.
SOUL RYEDERS: Awarded a $13,000 grant to help fund services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. SOUL RYEDERS is a volunteer-driven charitable organization, based in Westchester County, NY, committed to empowering those in our community who are affected by cancer. From diagnosis through treatment, recovery and survivorship, they offer practical resources and nurturing support services that provide dignity, confidence, hope, and compassion. SOUL RYEDERS raises money to award grants to a variety of cancer-related programs in Westchester County and the surrounding areas, with a special focus on programs that utilize innovative ways to improve the quality of life for local families affected by cancer.
Beth C. Tortolani Foundation: Awarded a $10,000 grant to help fund services for people affected by breast cancer. The Beth C. Tortolani Foundation 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. It was established in 1996 by Anthony J. Tortolani, MD, in memory of his wife Beth who died from breast cancer on October 30, 1993 in her 50th year. The Foundation has raised over one million dollars to sponsor programs extending through the Five Boroughs of New York as well as Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties.