Westbury resident Roz Catena's positive diagnosis for breast cancer in late 1992 led to a mastectomy less than a month later. When she became depressed during chemotherapy treatments, her oncologist suggested she join a support group.

"At first, I was in denial and felt I could manage but then realized that I couldn't do it alone," Catena said. Shortly after, she contacted the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program and began attending support groups as well as meeting for individual therapy. Two years later, in 1995, Catena decided to give back to the program that helped her through such a difficult time in her life.

"I received so much help during my illness and felt truly blessed," she said. "I wanted to reach out to other women in different stages of breast cancer and offer them support, understanding, compassion and important resources." She continued, "I have found it very rewarding to reach out and offer support and hope to other women and it has in turn helped me with my own healing process."

Established in 1980 as the first program in New York State to exclusively address the psychosocial issues associated with breast cancer, the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is currently the only comprehensive, university-based breast cancer counseling program in the state staffed by certified social workers. To date, it is the only statewide, toll-free breast cancer hotline, receiving almost 4,000 calls and over 350,000 website inquires a year.

"When I was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago, one of the first things I did was call a local hotline in search of support. When the compassionate woman who answered told me she was a breast cancer survivor, I vowed that once I made it through my cancer I, too, would become a hotline volunteer," said Plainview resident Diane Greene, who was diagnosed in 1998. "After writing a book about my experience, Apron Strings, and volunteering at the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline for the past six years, I find fulfillment in being able to offer hope and optimism to others as they travel down their own cancer path."

The program is intended to "educate, support, empower and advocate for breast cancer patients, professionals and the community." By simply calling (1-800-877-8077) or going online (www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer/) one can obtain free education materials and support group and individual and family counseling information. The website provides answers to many common questions, provides a glossary of terms and advice on what to expect and do for a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer.

"When I was diagnosed, I was not aware of the Adelphi Program. Fortunately, I had good friends who put me touch with other women who had been through breast cancer," said Garden City resident Deborah McCrann who was diagnosed in 1997, just six months after the birth of her son. She soon underwent a mastectomy. She began volunteering in 2002.

"Talking with breast cancer patients and their families and helping them, whether it be providing a kind ear, information or matching them with the correct support group or social worker, is a positive step for both of us. If I can help alleviate some of the fear they are feeling, that's a very rewarding experience," said McCrann, now 54. "Many women who call us cannot afford the proper care. We help them get the mammograms and other care they need. Because the volunteers are survivors, we stand as living proof that breast cancer is not a death sentence. Talking and taking charge of your recovery speeds the healing process. It is that same energy that has contributed to my own healing."

Franklin Square resident Barbara Sullivan, 68, said that she became a hotline volunteer 12 years ago because she too realized that she could help others through her own experiences. Sullivan, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and experienced a recurrence in 2003, said, "I have found that I am able to give [other breast cancer patients] a positive outlook that they might not have had before. I can offer them a ray of hope showing that people can survive breast cancer, can continue with a very productive life and can find much joy in their survivorship." She added, "Becoming a hotline volunteer became very important to my life because I realized from my experiences of having breast cancer that I would be able to help other people."

The program and hotline, said its director, Hillary Rutter, provide an outlet for breast cancer patients who may not want to burden family members or who feel that others cannot relate to what they are going through. "When diagnosed, many women experience a feeling of isolation and fear and other emotions that come into play. There are so many programs and services available to help someone cope with the diagnosis. You don't have to be alone," said Rutter.

Currently, many hotline volunteers are survivors themselves, a factor that is, in of itself, a tremendous asset for someone seeking support. "Speaking with someone who has been in the same situation and is a survivor can really help a woman cope better," Rutter said. "Just to know that someone else has been there - diagnosed, went through treatment, survived and is around to talk to - makes a difference."

According to Catena, when callers realize they are speaking to a survivor, the level of communication becomes much more open. "[Callers] find it easier to discuss their issues with me because I have gone through a similar experience," she said.

Floral Park resident Renee Wahle, a 31-year survivor who underwent a mastectomy, chemo and radiation, went to the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program about 10 years ago. "We counsel and direct people to the proper sources for specific help and we are at the other end of the phone to talk to them," Wahle said. "I met some wonderful people at Adelphi, including the director and social workers who have all been a very good support system for me to rely upon in my other times of need."

Each year Wahle does outreach to the employees of a large factory at their health fair. She finds it fulfilling to know that she's helped so many. "One year, I encouraged a woman who was afraid to see a physician to check out the lump she had in her breast. When I saw her the following year at the outreach program she told me I saved her life by insisting I see a doctor. It was breast cancer and she was able to have the cancer removed before it had spread to any other part of her body," Wahle, now 75, continued. "This is my reward."

Marge Fritz, a 56-year-old resident of Levittown started volunteering in 1999, a year after she was introduced to the program. "Initially, I was introduced to the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program shortly after my diagnosis of DCIS and subsequent lumpectomy in September 1998. I joined the Newly Diagnosed Support Group. It was such a positive experience that I felt I should give something back," said Fritz, adding that she underwent volunteer training in the spring of 1999 and started working on the hotline that summer.

"By working on the hotline, I feel that I can be there to help the callers by providing information and answering questions regarding breast cancer. Sometimes [all it takes is] just listening to their concerns and being a friendly voice during a scary time," said Fritz.

Glen Cove resident Florence Dolling agrees. Dolling, now 66, was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 1999, continued with treatments through May 2000 and, in April 2001, became an outreach volunteer. "Working with these fabulous women and giving back has been the best therapy I could ever have. The other volunteers are very supportive and most are survivors themselves so that they can give the support from personal experience and knowledge," she said, adding, "I am so proud to be associated with such a fabulous program as this. Words could never describe the sense of gratification and pride that this program has given me."

With such a broad range of services and support available, volunteers are always needed in the areas of community outreach_, advocacy, fundraising and clerical positions as well as the hotline. According to Rutter, potential volunteers undergo a 15-hour, five-week training program that includes meeting with a social worker before and after training to determine what area of the program they are best suited for. Those selected to work the hotline, she said, will do so first alongside an experienced volunteer.

"It's a sort of mentoring process. A social worker is always in earshot in the event a caller needs additional assistance," said Rutter.

Syosset resident Ann Squier, 82, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983, said her experiences volunteering at the hotline for the past 17 years have been quite rewarding. "I feel very good about communicating with others and hopefully consoling them and giving them support and information. I feel that I'm being rewarded far more than what I'm giving," said Squier.

For Catena, the hotline and program not only `helped her get through the difficulties associated with breast cancer, it also provided her with a clear idea of what she wanted to do with her life. For the past three years, she has been employed as a clinical social worker with the Manhattan-based Federation Employment and Guidance Service (FEGS), Inc, a career path chosen as a result of her involvement with the program, first as a caller and now, as a volunteer.

"Since I'm a breast cancer survivor I have been able to turn a negative life experience into a positive one, not only through my volunteer work on the hotline, but in my career also," said Catena. "They both enable me to reach out and help others, which has been a truly rewarding and healing experience for me."

The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program can be reached by calling 1-800-877-8077 or visiting www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer/aboutus.html.

Hotline volunteers can be reached 365 days from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Callers can reach out 24-hours-a-day and are assured that calls made after 9 p.m. will be returned the following morning, including holidays and weekends.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Program & Hotline should contact Caroline Mulcahy at 877-4315 or mulcahy@adelphi.edu. For individual counseling or support group information call the hotline or contact Sandi Kafenbaum, LCSW, group coordinator, at kafenbau@adelphi.edu or 877-4314. To speak with a bilingual social worker, contact Angela Papalia at palma2@adelphi.edu. To arrange for community outreach contact Ann Carney at carney@adelphi.edu.