October may be over, but breast cancer awareness is still extremely important at Adelphi. Located in the lower level of the social work building, the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline service works to provide education and support to women on campus that may be affected by breast cancer or are seeking more information about the disease. We spoke with Kimberly Newman, the Hotline’s Communications and Marketing Coordinator, to learn more about the hotline and the services it provides for students.
–When was the Adelphi Breast Cancer hotline established?
The Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline was founded in 1980.
–Who is the founder, and why did they create the hotline in the first place?
In 1980, the first post mastectomy group began at Adelphi’s School of Social Work. The women in the support group, all of whom felt extremely isolated when they were diagnosed, found comfort in sharing their fears, questions and experiences among others who were experiencing the same feelings. They decided they wanted to reach out to other women facing breast cancer too.
At a time in history when breast cancer was not even discussed publicly these group members, along with staff, faculty, and interns at Adelphi, developed the “Woman-to-Woman Hotline.” The hotline began with nine trained volunteers who offered their assistance seven hours a week to individuals in the local region. By 1990, thanks to funding provided by New York State, the hotline expanded to cover all of the state.
Over time the hotline that began in 1980 grew into a comprehensive organization: the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program. Today this program has a professional social work staff as well as over 100 trained volunteers who run a hotline and website and provide counseling, education and advocacy programs.
–What services do the hotline provide for those that call?
When someone calls the hotline they will be able to speak with a trained volunteer who is a breast cancer survivor. These volunteers have “been there” and are ready to offer support and information. We can also match you up with survivors who are going through the same type of treatment as you are. All services are free and confidential and are supervised by our professional social work staff. In addition to our hotline, we offer an online chat. People concerned about breast cancer are now able to chat online with a social worker or breast cancer survivor. You can use the online chat service by visiting our website
breast-cancer.adelphi.edu. We offer support groups which provide the opportunity for participants to share their feelings and experiences with the guidance of social workers and social work interns. We provide Individual and family counseling by our social workers and masters level social work interns. Individual telephone counseling is available statewide. We offer free educational forums. The panelists consist of the top professionals in their fields. Past topics have included new treatment options, legal rights, breast reconstruction, breast cancer and fertility and medical updates. Please check our website for the forums schedule. We also provide services in spanish through Sisters United in Health.
–What is your mission statement?
The mission of the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program is to educate, support, empower, and advocate for breast cancer patients, professionals, and the community.
Today a woman born in the United States has a 1 in 8 chance of developing invasive breast cancer during her lifetime. In New York State approximately 14,028 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. The Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is here to make sure that no person affected by breast cancer has to face it alone.
We are here to provide you with the information and support that you may need.
We are here to answer your questions. We are here to provide you with someone to talk to who understands what you are going through. We are here to guide you to resources that may help you, in the community you live in. We are here to support and empower you to make the decisions that are right for you. We are here for you.
–Where are you located, and how can someone seeking help get in touch with you?
We are located in the Adelphi University, Garden City Campus Social Work Building. (One South Avenue, P.O. Box 701, Garden City, NY 11530-9720)
We can be reached through our website (breast-cancer.adelphi.edu) where you can click online chat.
By calling our Hotline (800.877.8077)
E-mail: (breastcancerhotline@adelphi.edu)
Main Office Line: 516.877.4320
If you or someone you know on campus needs help or support in navigating through breast cancer, please do not hesitate to reach out and get connected with the Adelphi breast Cancer Hotline. Cancer is an extremely difficult time, and no one should have to endure it alone. The hotline can provide you with much needed aid that can make a demanding journey that much easier.