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Have you noticed the pink pinwheels dotting our campus? They’re a reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that Adelphi is home to theÌý, which is hosted by theÌý. For more than 30 years, the program has offered emotional support and information to women—and men—diagnosed with breast cancer, offering hope and the comfort that “We are here. You are not alone.”

The message of the hotline’s October outreach campaign is “Knowledge Is Your Superpower.” Hillary Rutter, director of the free hotline, said, “Our program can help people find out how to get a free or low-cost mammogram, learn about breast cancer programs in their community and talk to a breast cancer survivor on the hotline.”

For the nine days from October 15 to October 23, the is partnering with the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program for Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

“Our vision for our collaboration is to spread awareness about breast cancer but also to inform others not just on campus but in our community about everything the breast cancer hotline has to offer,” said Nicolette Tortorici, graduate assistant for Campus Recreation. “We are so fortunate to have a program like this on our campus and we believe that more students, faculty and staff should take advantage of the breast cancer hotline.”

The recreation staff will host tables offering brochures, information and small giveaways donated by the hotline.

“Our staff will be sporting pink sweatbands all week, and we invite students, faculty and staff to sign their name on a pink ribbon that will be displayed, and for our group fitness participants and sport club members to wear pink during that week of activities, ” added Tortorici.

A Celebration of Survivorship

A highlight of the week—and the month of October—takes place on October 18, when the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program will host its annual Celebration of Survivorship. Four speakers will be featured: Geralyn Lucas, an award-winning journalist and author ofÌýWhy I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy; Jamaican-born Sonia Avery-Williams, a nurse; Susan Leach, a former support group member and manager at a healthcare agency; and Jeff Flynn, a former support group member and currently a hotline volunteer responding to calls from men concerned about breast cancer. The breast cancer organizationÌýÌýwill also be honored.

Support the Cause While Treating Yourself

Long Island merchants are lending their support to the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline and Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating a percentage of sales to the program.

• Fortunoff Fine Jewelry in Westbury Plaza is offering itsÌýÌýcollection of pink-hued jewelry that includes numerous items such as rose gold bracelets, pink-toned pearls and pink crystal earrings, with 20 percent of proceeds being donated to the program.
• Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, also in Westbury Plaza, is donating a dollar for every glass ofÌýÌýsuch as Brezette rosé, Wolffer rosé and Rosé Sangria.
• Sir John’s Beauty Salon in West Babylon’s raffle of a basket of hair styling products valued at $125 will benefit the hotline. Tickets can be purchased at the salon.

Awarded in October

The month began with the good news that the New York State Senate Health Committee, under the chairmanship of Sen. Kemp Hannon, awarded the program with a $200,000 Breast Education Screening and Treatment (BEST) grant. The funds will enable the program to address disparities, increase access to quality care and improve outcomes for Long Island’s most at-risk communities: African American women, Latinas, undocumented immigrants and other medically underserved populations over 40.

Of course, the hotline’s efforts andÌýÌýcontinue past October. In November, the program hosts its third annual bowling fundraiser,Ìý, on Saturday, November 3, and theÌýÌýfrom November 29 to December 2.