Hundreds of Long Islanders of all ages and backgrounds, including seven women affiliated with the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, participated in the fourth annual 35-mile, 2-day walk on June 9 and 10 to raise awareness and money - giving hope and encouragement to Long Islanders who are fighting breast cancer.

Walking from the Adelphi team were Sandi Kafenbaum and Elise Kestenbaum of Great Neck, Joan Beder of Old Westbury, Susan Schulman of Westbury, Anne Hogan of Glendale, Pat Zinke of Massapequa and Karen Kostroff of Lake Success. Hogan and Zinke, who are breast cancer survivors, are program volunteers; Beder (also a breast cancer survivor) and Kostroff are board members; Kafenbaum is a social worker with the program.

This was the fourth walk for Kafenbaum. Asked why she keeps coming back, she said: "As usual, we had lots of laughs, shared stories, hopes and dreams with old friends and new friends, got into shape by walking, and raised lots of money for breast cancer research and support. It was wonderful!"

To date, LI2DAY has raised over $1.3 million for local women and men who are fighting breast cancer. Executive Director Ginny Salerno attributes that success to the dedicated participants. "I can't express enough my sincere gratitude to all the walkers, survivors, volunteers and sponsors, who raised funds, contributed their time, talents and financial support...their contributions are immeasurable and invaluable to LI2DAY."

One hundred percent of the funds raised by the walkers are distributed to breast cancer outreach organizations throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties and are used to assist with medical expenses, transportation, prosthetics and wigs, physical therapy, babysitters, research and education. Beneficiary receipients are: The Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, Brentwood-Bay Shore Breast Cancer Coalition, Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Women's Center, Cure Mommy's Breast Cancer, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Islip Breast Cancer Coalition, Manhasset Women's Coalition Against Breast Cancer, The Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, North Shore Neighbors Breast Cancer Coalition, Sister's of Greater LI in partnership with The Urban League of LI, WALK for Women Breast Cancer Fund; West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition; Women's Health Partnership, as well as, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories for breast cancer research and the LI2DAY scholarship fund, which awards scholarships to local high school seniors who are children of breast cancer victims and/or survivors.

For further information, call 631-863-2DAY (2329) or visit www.li2daywalk.org. The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program has been helping New Yorkers for over a quarter of a century. To reach the hotline, call 800-877-8077. Help is just a phone call away.