(left to right) Katherine Quinn, Support Connection Executive Director; Rich Adamski, Support Connection Co-Founder, Board Treasurer; Nancy Heller, Support Connection Co-Founder, Board Member, Past President
For 20 years, Support Connection, Inc. has been bringing help and hope to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
This year, Support Connection will celebrate 20 years of providing free breast and ovarian cancer support services. Since the organization was founded two decades ago, we have helped thousands of women and families cope with the challenges that result from a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis.
How It All Started
The idea behind Support Connection came from Nancy Heller, a breast cancer survivor, and Richard Adamski, who lost his wife to breast cancer. Nancy and Rich set out to create an organization to provide services and help that were lacking during their own experiences with the disease. They gathered a group of dedicated, like-minded volunteers, and with help from founding Executive Director Katherine Quinn, they turned their dream into a reality.
How We’ve Grown
When Support Connection first opened our doors in July of 1996, we began with just two breast and ovarian cancer support groups. Over the years, our services expanded to meet the growing and changing needs of those they serve. We now have a staff of professional Peer Counselors, cancer survivors themselves, who provide one-on-one education and support. Our toll-free telephone services enable us to help people across the country. We offer 11 different support groups, two by national toll-free teleconference, as well as a year-round calendar of programs in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
Time to Celebrate!
Support Connection will commemorate their 20th Anniversary with events and projects throughout the year. The celebrations begin at their Annual Spring Benefit on Friday, April 15, at Sinapi’s Ceola Manor in Jefferson Valley. At this event, Support Connection’s Board of Directors will present Executive Director Katherine Quinn with a Spirit of Love Award. This award, being presented for the first time in 2016, is being given in recognition of Kathy’s enduring and boundless devotion to Support Connection’s mission. Thanks to Kathy’s enthusiastic leadership over the past 20 years, Support Connection has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.