'1 in 9,' the Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition recently honored Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. at their 7th annual gala for being a leading advocate in the fight against breast cancer on Long Island.

"Senator Fuschillo continues to advance legislation and opportunities to further research in the fight against breast cancer," said Geri Barish, executive director, '1 in 9.' "Countless survivors of breast cancer and their families have benefited from his commitment to provide the resources that will give them support and hopefully someday a cure."

Fuschillo authored the law that now requires New York state to match, dollar-for-dollar, donations made to the state's Breast Cancer Research and Education Fund which is listed as a check-off box on state income tax return forms. The fund usually raises approximately $500,000 annually and has already topped $1.2 million this year as a result of Senator Fuschillo's law.

Twelve thousand women are afflicted with breast cancer and 3,500 die in New York state each year," Fuschillo said. "All must be done to combat this deadly disease. I am honored to partner with Geri Barish and '1 in 9' in their day to day efforts to support survivors and their families and advance research that will some day find a cure."