Carey High School students went to Albany recently to learn and lobby about an important issue that impacts all Long Island communities - breast cancer. Assemblyman Alfano met with the students during the forum and took questions about the State Legislature's role in health care legislation and New York State's Cancer Mapping Initiative

"The students know that health care issues like Breast Cancer are important in our community ¬ that's why they're here," said Alfano adding "the speeches they heard by Health Commissioner Novello and 1 in 9 cut right to the challenges we face with health care in our state."

Carey students Bryan Loh, Brian Magone, Rosanna Franzi, Craig Berkowitz, Michael Restagno, Matt Sarosy, Michael Ermann, Anthony Mannarino and Carey teacher Marlene Natale made up the trip to the state capital from Franklin Square.

One of the prime pieces of legislation the group heard at the forum was the Women's health and Cancer Rights Act. The act states, in part, that any woman who undergoes a mastectomy is guaranteed a minimum 24-hour stay, as well as second opinions and payment for breast reconstruction.

"This is a great learning experience for the students. It teaches them that government is about people helping others.They heard about leaders in the senate, assembly and in health care. Next year, I hope to see an even bigger group from Carey," Alfano concluded