Senator Johnson Honored By Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program

Sen. Craig M. Johnson (D-Port Washington) was recently honored by the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program for his successful efforts to restore vital state funding for this critically important program.

"We thank Senator Johnson for recognizing the valuable services that the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program provides for breast cancer survivors and their families," said Hillary Rutter, the director of the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. "In our darkest hour, Senator Johnson was there to ensure we had the resources to continue serving residents on Long Island and throughout New York State."

The program, which relies on the state as one of its main sources of operating funding, was set to be stripped of its funding in the initial 2009-10 budget. After Senator Johnson led the fight in the Senate to have it restored, the program had its full $294,000 allocation approved as part of the final 2009-10 budget. The restorations were made with Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding that was provided to New York State through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"As someone who has lost their mother and their grandmother to breast cancer, I know the importance of an organization such as the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program," said Johnson, who added that the program is part of the governor's proposed 2010-11 budget. "I was proud to do my part to ensure this program's continued operation."

The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program has provided professional counseling, education and outreach services to thousands of breast cancer patients and their families for the last 30 years. The program offers assistance on a wide array of topics, including referrals for low-cost mammograms, insurance questions and wig suppliers. In the past five years, the program has provided hotline services to approximately 15,000 New York residents, counseled more than 7,000 people and provided educational services to more than 200,000 people.