News
The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, a public charity funding support services, education and outreach to people affected by breast cancer within the 9 counties of the Hudson Valley, www.milesofhope.org , announces today grants to nonprofits in the Hudson Valley supporting breast cancer programs.
- Kingston based, Breast Cancer Options, (Ulster) will receive $5000 for a Massage Therapy Program.
- Yorktown Heights based Support Connection, (Westchester) will receive $15,000 for the Peer to Peer Program.
- YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester will receive $7500 for the Encore Plus Breast Cancer Support Services.
“Organizations throughout the Hudson Valley apply to Miles of Hope to fund programs alleviating the burden and financial hardship of a breast cancer diagnosis,” explained Miles of Hope Executive Director, Pari Forood, (pari@milesofhope.org)
“We field proposals from the nine counties in order to make a difference and augment medical treatment, addressing issues the breast cancer patient and their families face because of this diagnosis.”
The two grants to Breast Cancer Options and Support Connection will fund existing successful programs directly helping people with breast cancer in the Hudson Valley. Massage therapy has shown to lower blood pressure and stress levels for patients before and after surgery. Miles of Hope funds free massages for anyone in treatment for breast cancer through this program.
The Peer to Peer hotline is manned by trained breast cancer survivors. The number to call is: 800-532-4290 or locally in Westchester, 914-962-6402.
“The grant to the White Plains YWCA will support Encore Plus, YWCA’s breast cancer education and support program founded 19 years ago to reach underserved minority women in Westchester,” added Ms. Forood.
“Over 45% of Westchester’s residents are Hispanic, Latina or African-American, and breast cancer is their second leading cause of death. The goal of the grant to Encore Plus is to use intensive outreach and community partnerships to reach underserved women with the information and support they need to manage their breast health,” Ms. Forood said.
Marist Fashion and PR/Communications majors decided to devote the proceeds from October sales of their on campus kiosk, the Marist College Mporium, to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation.
“The kiosk was created by the Fashion majors and supported by the PR/Communications majors,” explained senior Sheridan Wagner in photo with check. “Items for sale have been created and designed by students or purchased to sell specifically to the Marist community. Proceeds go to local charities and students learn the art of retail, design, marketing and purchasing.” she said.
“When Sheridan called to say that the proceeds would come to Miles of Hope, I had to see the set-up myself!” added Miles of Hope Executive Director Pari Forood. “All of the students in the attached photo (all names below) work on this project as volunteers. They are enthusiastic, driven and entrepreneurial– I was very impressed.”
“I explained to the students that the money they have donated may go to someone in treatment for breast cancer to help pay a medical expense or transportation to and from their treatment; or it may go to fund our Peer to Peer hotline (800-532-4290) manned by trained breast cancer survivors for anyone with a question or who just needs to talk,” Ms. Forood said. “We also fund college scholarships for high school seniors whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.”
In photo: Marist College Mporium Fall 2015 Team:
Jennifer Finn, Sheridan Wagner: Head of Public Relations, Karli Bruno: Head of Buying, Lauren Sepa: Head of Visual Merchandising, Devin Walton, Sarah Trousdale, Allyson Santacroce, Stephanie Romeo, Lyndsey Regis, Mariel Porfido, Krisi Pentecoste, Jennifer Nevin, Peter Najera, Diana Mendez, Victoria Marzano, Katie Labozzo, Lauren Hauck, Jillian Gasarowski, Jenna Discher, Kasey Curran, Alexix Chomat, Jane Body.
And the results are in! The 2016 Miles of Hope Hudson Valley Community Walk for Breast Cancer Totals are official! And the prize for the individual and team that raised the most goes to our 2016 Honoree, Dana Effron, and Dana’s Team.
The Walk raised a total of $68,780 gross income.
Congratulations to everyone who made this event such a success!
$13,435 Team Dana
$ 6,259 Ali’s Mitzvah March
$ 3,220 Rockin Rays of Hope
$ 2,848 Team Shari
$ 1,997 Emmy Josephs
Each year Linda and Jack Gregory of Jack’s Auto Service in Amenia raise money for Miles of Hope. They do it to recognize Linda’s mother, a breast cancer survivor, and to help local people battling the disease.
“This year, we performed 265 oil changes in the month of October with a portion of each going to Miles of Hope!” Mrs. Gregory explained.
In the photo, Jack Gregory is presenting Pari Forood, Executive Director of Miles of Hope with a check for $1325.
“Linda and Jack and their daughter Kaitlin, are some of the most generous business owners/operators in the Hudson Valley,” Ms. Forood said.
“They take it upon themselves to design a fund raiser, promote and publicize it, and then present us with the proceeds. We are able to help so many people affected by breast cancer because of people like the Gregory’s and their generous customers. Thank you to all who donate to Miles of Hope in October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” she added.
photo- L-R: Adam Zies-Way, Mike Hamilton, Brian Mackay, Jim Killmer, Kyle Barron, Linda Gregory, Jack Gregory, Pari Forood (ED, Miles of Hope), Kaitlin Gregory & Erin Whalen
The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation and the Beacon Hebrew Alliance will host a free public forum on Genetic Testing and the BRCA genetic test, November 13, from 2:00 – 4:00 at the Beacon Hebrew Alliance, 331 Verplanck Avenue, Beacon. Light refreshments will be served from 1:30-2:00. All are welcome. (attached information flyer)
“This is an opportunity for anyone to come and ask questions from experts on genetic testing, the BRCA gene, breast cancer risk, and general health,” explained Miles of Hope Executive Director Pari Forood.
“Dr. Amy Novatt, MD FACOG, Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northern Dutchess Hospital, and Chairman of the Medical Committee of our Board of Directors, has organized this forum for people who may be interested in learning more about how a genetic test can benefit them,” Ms. Forood said.
The free Public Forum will feature physicians as well as genetic counselors who will make presentations and then answer questions from the audience. (please see attached flyer)
