Thursday, October 8, 2026
The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is encouraging women across New York to prioritize their health, seek information and connect with support services during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The program’s fall 2026 awareness campaign, “Take the First Step. You’re Not Alone,” encourages women to schedule mammograms, learn about available breast cancer resources and reach out for support.
As part of the campaign, the program will host its annual Celebration of Survivorship on Oct. 22 at Adelphi University in Garden City. Breast cancer survivors Pam Shapiro, Donna T. Bacon and Jeannie Rettura will share their experiences with diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, as well as the support they received along the way.
“For many women, the most difficult part is taking that first step and reaching out,” said Reyna Machado, executive director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program. “Once they do, there are people here who understand what they are experiencing. Our volunteers, most of whom are breast cancer survivors themselves, and our professional staff provide information, support and connections to local resources. We want women across New York to know that support is available throughout their breast cancer journey.”
Since 1980, the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program, a project of the university’s School of Social Work, has provided information and emotional support to people affected by breast cancer. Its toll-free hotline operates 365 days a year, connecting callers with volunteers who are breast cancer survivors and understand many of the concerns surrounding a diagnosis firsthand.
The program also offers professional counseling in English and Spanish, support groups, educational forums and events, community outreach, survivorship programming and referrals for free or low-cost mammograms.
The three women speaking at this year’s celebration have different experiences with breast cancer and have been involved with the program and supporting other women for decades.
Shapiro, who received breast cancer diagnoses in 2000, 2010 and 2019, serves on the program’s advisory board. Bacon, who holds doctorates and is a licensed clinical social worker, is a breast cancer survivor and advocate who was diagnosed in 2006. Rettura, who was diagnosed in 1986, is a breast cancer survivor and longtime volunteer with the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program.
The Celebration of Survivorship will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom at Adelphi University’s Ruth S. Harley University Center in Garden City. Doors will open at 4 p.m., and the program will begin at 4:30 p.m. A light supper will be served.
The event is free. For more information or to register, visit adelphi.edu/events/celebration-of-survivorship.
For breast cancer information and support, call the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline at (800) 877-8077, text (516) 262-3263 or visit adelphi.edu/breast-cancer.
