The number of breast cancer cases have become so alarming on Long Island that there appears to be a greater awareness of the disease with a mission to help find a cure. At a recent meeting of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Arlene Sussman of Winthrop-University Hospital addressed the subject by saying that until there are only survivors and until the shadow of the disease no longer hangs over women, a challenge to keep fighting is ever present.

"We will not walk away from the fight against breast cancer," Dr. Sussman said.

In the fight against the disease, the Mineola Chamber of Commerce vows to do its part. Through the leadership of Gary Katz of Harry Katz Floor Coverings, the Mineola Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring "Businesses Against Breast Cancer," a program designed to involve community businesses in a fund-raising effort to fight breast cancer.

The Mineola Chamber of Commerce sent out invitations inviting businesses to participate in the program, planned for March 8 and 9. On these days, the chamber is asking for a commitment of local businesses to contribute a percentage of sales or a donation, which is entirely up to the business owner, to be used in the fight again breast cancer.

In order to illustrate how alarming the breast cancer rate is on Long Island, one out of nine invitations sent out contained an instant win lottery ticket. One out of nine has been the documented ratio of women getting breast cancer on Long Island.

Katz said he wanted to get businesses involved to help fight the deadly disease. Working in Mineola enable a person to come across so many wonderful people, Katz explained. Within a two-week period, he said he came across three people that he knew for years who were all afflicted with breast cancer.

"I just thought about what I could do to make a difference and help a little bit," Katz said.

Part of his inspiration to get involved in fighting breast cancer came from a woman who worked at an EAB bank in Mineola where Katz was a customer.

Jane Stanczuk, a resident of Franklin Square, was diagnosed with breast cancer nearly seven years ago. By the time of her diagnosis, Stanczuk had already learned of the depression and fear that went along with the disease. Her two sisters had already been diagnosed with breast cancer. Each of three sisters had received the dreadful diagnosis within the span of three years.

Rather than be swallowed up by the disease and surrender to the dark cloud that hung over the three sisters, they came together and fought back. Stanczuk and her two sisters formed their own foundation - The Three Strohm Sisters Family Foundation - to raise money to fight breast cancer. They started by selling pins of an angel with a pink ribbon and then expanded their efforts with a dinner-dance this past October that raised $22,000.

Katz said he would like to see if the businesses of Mineola could do something. "We want to do something that's going to help the residents," he added. Those involved with Mineola Youth and Family Services, under the direction of Executive Director Suzanne Sakflestad, got the invitations to participate in the program ready to be mailed out to the businesses in Mineola.

It has yet to be decided where the money raised by Businesses Against Breast Cancer will be used. Katz said the chamber is open to any ideas. One possibility is providing transportation to those who are in need of treatment or to go for mammograms.

Anyone interested in participating in the Businesses Against Breast Cancer program can call Gary Katz at 746-1458, Manny DeFreitas at 746-6322, Carmela Bernacchio at 294-7223, Teri Ranfone at 746-0919 or Lawrence Jones at 747-1141. Donations can be mailed to: Businesses Against Breast Cancer, c/o Mineola Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 62, Mineola, N.Y. 11501.

Katz said there are no guidelines as far as how much a business can donate. "Any little bit helps," he said.

Past President of the Mineola Chamber of Commerce Peter Gollobin of Medipoint International celebrated his birthday Tuesday, Feb. 20. Also, membership Secretary Joy Savasta of J. E. Savasta Associates celebrated the birth of her first grandson.

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March 7 is the closing date for the Mineola Chamber 2001 Business Directory. All chamber members will be listed in the directory free of charge. Members can also purchase a business card size advertisement for $100.

The theme of the directory will be Mineola in the future and will include statements having to do with future goals made by Mineola's nonprofit organizations. For more information, contact Carmela Bernacchio at 294 PACE. The directory will be mailed to every resident in Mineola by May 2001.

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Dr. Arlene Sussman of Winthrop-University Hospital spoke about breast cancer and told those in attendance that early detection is the most effective weapon in the fight against the disease. Dr. Sussman recommended that women begin going for mammograms as early as the age of 35. Winthrop will soon be opening a center for mammographies at 200 Old Country Road.