Breast cancer survivors helped the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program, which started out with only a telephone, an empty room and an interested student, fete its 20th anniversary last Wednesday, Oct. 3, during a "celebration of survivorship" at Adelphi's University Center in Garden City. The event welcomed a panel of extraordinary women who shared stories of their own personal battles with the disease and what enabled them to move forward.

The hotline was established in 1981 by a group of breast cancer patients who had just completed a support group at Adelphi University's School of Social Work. The initial group wanted other women to benefit from the type of support they had received and thus started what was then dubbed the Woman-to-Woman Hotline. These support groups later gave birth to Adelphi's hotline, the second oldest in the country.

"We're celebrating the gift of life. We know the trauma of the diagnosis and the battle with the disease," Hillary Rutter, Adelphi breast cancer program director, said. "Through the years, we've responded and listened to survivors' needs to help develop our educational and advocacy programs and here we are celebrating our 20th anniversary."

University President Dr. Robert Scott said he knew the hotline was a "key strength" Adelphi needed to build upon when he started his assessment of university services 15 months ago. "I'm a big fan of the center and hope to make it more a part of this university."

The Nassau Senate delegation of the New York State Legislature, whose support has helped the program become a "beacon of light" to those diagnosed, provides funding, along with the Department of Health, grants and contributions. Devoted supporter Senator Kemp Hannon of Garden City was among New York State senators on hand last week to receive an award in honor of that support. The hotline is the first New York State program that exclusively addresses the psychosocial issues associated with breast cancer and is still the only statewide toll-free hotline.

Hotline founder Leah Lauter, who noted the late Mike Tully was the first senator to provide funding, said it's as though she gave birth to a program and saw it through its adolescence.

"This program never would've been possible without the enthusiasm of so many people. Hillary's done a marvelous job and I'm so glad she's taken the reigns. At first we had the volunteers but not the calls. The American Cancer Society had the calls but not the volunteers. We joined forces and let the Cancer Society transfer their calls to our hotline ... It's not an easy job but we've labored with devotion."

Senator Carl Marcellino said the value of volunteers, as seen in recent weeks, is phenomenal. "You take the time to meet with people who need your help," he said, "and with all the positive feedback, it makes our work so much easier up in Albany when we push for funding."

Although the program supports so many women through their terrifying journey with the disease, Lauter said a staggering 43,000 women still die of breast cancer each year. "So many are diagnosed too late; 140 million people do not have health insurance, among them women. We need to change that."

Senator Hannon said it's because of people like Leah who help others do positive things with public policy. "What you're doing is so important. It reminds us that we haven't found an answer yet and we won't rest until we do."

Meet the Survivors

The panel of survivors included Comfort Awuku, a hotline volunteer, business woman and immigrant from West Africa; Carmen Bryant, assistant manager for Fleet Bank and support group and hotline leader for Latino women; Susan Markisz, an award winning New York Times photographer; and Debbie "The Bulb Lady" Von Bourgondien, vice president of K. Von Bourgondien & Sons, one of the largest importers and distributors of flower bulbs and perennials in the US. Leah Lauter, a retired social worker and founding director of Adelphi's hotline, also told her courageous story.

Awuku, who was diagnosed in 1987, reminded those in attendance that their body is their temple. "Take care of it," she said. "Life is too short. Live each day to its fullest."

Bryant, who became passionate about reaching out to Latino women after being diagnosed in 1998, said support groups were a major part of her recovery. Described as a grass roots effort, Bryant now leads a support group and hotline for Latino women. "We started with two women and now have 25. Our goal is to one day have a large support system like Adelphi does."

Markisz, a 12-year survivor and mother of two, was diagnosed at age 36, when her children were just 4 and 7. Markisz said she brought a sensitive eye to the human condition through her pictures. "I worked on self-portraits to document the ramifications of the disease. The first look in the mirror after undergoing a mastectomy requires one to brace oneself for something they may never be prepared for," Markisz, who considers herself one of many women on the front lines in this battle, said. "Although we may have an extended warranty, it's provisional ... I found beauty out of emotional turmoil and anger."

Von Bourgondien, a mother of three sons and grandmother, was only diagnosed Aug. 24 of last year. She underwent a mastectomy last Sept. 11. "I thought I knew everything I needed to know about breast cancer," she said. "When I was first diagnosed, I called the hotline. This woman spoke to me from 9:30 to 11 that night. I never got her name but she's one of you. Thank you."

Lauter, the hotline's founding director, thanked fellow volunteers

because it was they who pushed her to get a yearly mammogram. "My lump was detected early so I was lucky. I had good teachers, women who were brave and devoted. Thank you, you helped me."

'The Healing Garden' Quilt Unveiled Last Week

The names of those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are inscribed in the quilt, which is comprised of 70 colorful hearts made up of fabric designs representing plants used in chemotherapy and cancer prevention.

To honor those diagnosed, "The Healing Garden," a queen-size quilt sewn by the Carle Place Chapter of the Nassau County Homemakers Council, bears their names, inscribed in 70 colorful hearts made up of fabric designs that represent plants used in chemotherapy and cancer prevention.

The quilt was unveiled during last Wednesday's celebration. Designs include Rosy Periwinkle, used against childhood leukemia and Hodgkin's

Disease; Mary Apple, used to treat lung and testicular cancers as well as lymphomas and leukemia; Pacific Yew, used to manufacture Taxol, which treats ovarian, breast, lung, colon and head and neck cancers.

Hotline Receives $4,000 Roslyn Savings Foundation Grant

The hotline and support program recently received a $4,000 grant from the Roslyn Savings Foundation, enabling the program to expand and update its website, www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer. The toll free telephone number is 800-877-8077.

Rutter said, "We know that more and more people are seeking information through the Internet so we are pleased that with this grant we will be able to make our valuable information even more accessible."