IN THIS ISSUE
Breast Cancer & The Environment Workshop
Breast Cancer Support Group
Dealing with breast cancer? You are not alone. Come to our peer-led support group.
2PM on the Garden Level of Herbert Irving Pavilion, 161 Fort Washington Ave, NYC
Upcoming Dates:
August 7, 21
Sept. 11, 25
October 11, 30
El Grupo De Apoyo para Mujeres con Cancer del Seno
WAR's support group for Spanish-speaking breast cancer patients.
10AM on the 7th floor, Rm 213 of The Milstein Building, 177 Fort Washington Ave, NYC
Upcoming Dates:
Aug. 13, 27
Sep. 10
Oct. 8, 22
High-Risk Support Group
For women at high-risk for breast cancer.
6PM on the 10th Fl, Rm 1035 in Herbert Irving Pavilion, 161 Ft. Washington Ave, NYC
Upcoming Dates:
August 19
September 16
October 21
Welcome to the first issue of Women At Risk's new "E-Newsletter." We have been very busy since last Fall, and we'll do our best to update you on the many exciting breast cancer programs we've been implementing! For the most up-to-date information on WAR programs and events, don't forget to visit our blog!
On Monday, May 11, 2009, close to 350 Women At Risk supporters gathered at the Waldorf=Astoria for WAR's 18th Annual Luncheon. The event was chaired by Susan and Alan Fuirst.
Lynda Wertheim, Dr. Elise Desperito, & Dr. Sheldon Feldman
Lynda Wertheim, WAR's Immediate Past President and current board member, was honored for her longstanding commitment to the organization and the fight against breast cancer. Lynda joined the WAR Board in 1999 and served as President from 2002-2008. She is the Director of Legal Assistants at White & Case, LLP and is a breast cancer survivor. Helen Morik, a fellow board member, said, "It would be the ultimate benefit to any organization to have Lynda as its advocate- how fortunate we are at WAR to continue to have her staunch support, guidance and wisdom."
Hoda Kotb with WAR's Patient Navigator, Nancy Singleton.
The keynote speaker for the event was Hoda Kotb, co-host of the fourth hour of NBC's "Today" and correspondent for "Dateline NBC." Hoda is a breast cancer survivor and she completed her treatment at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. Her inspiring remarks elicited both laughter and tears from the engaged audience.
WAR extends special thanks to all who helped make the 18th Annual Luncheon a great success.
When Allie Farber and Erica Baevsky, students at Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY, decided that they wanted to start a club to fight breast cancer, they weren't sure where to start. Then, they found out about Women At Risk's many programs and initiatives through WAR's President, Bonnie Pressman. Soon, Allie and Erica decided that the way to affect the most change would be to become the "Junior Committee" of Women At Risk. They named their club GOPiNK and held a kick-off event at Bloomingdales in White Plains on June 15th. The students and parents who attended the kick-off were energized to join the cause, and the event raised more than $1500 to support WAR's programs.
Read more about this event and the GOPiNK girls here!
WAR Board of Directors
Founder & Chairperson Susan Fuirst
President Bonnie Pressman
Immediate Past President Lynda Wertheim
VP- Fundraising Carole Scherzer
VP- Programs Marianne Flanagan
VP-Hospital Relations Helen Morik
Nikki Feirt Atkins, MD
Renee Brown
Abigail Black Elbaum
Ethel Garil
Marianne Glasel
Jay Horowitz
Ruth Lapidus
Marquita Pool Eckert
Jane Scheinfeld
Sally Sherwood
Jared Weiss
Susan Wiseman
Medical Director Kathie-Ann Joseph, MD, MPH
Executive Director
Kitty Silverman
Hospital Advisory Council
Andrea Castellanos
Nancy Gautier- Matos
Angie Lloyd
Paula Roberts
Lynne Roth
Karen Schmitt
A vital part of WAR's mission is to enhance the lives of women through funding innovative breast cancer research projects. Over the past several years, WAR has awarded grants to over 50 pilot studies in a variety of different areas including surgery, oncology, radiology, epidemiology, genetics and complementary/alternative medicine. WAR is pleased to announce the following grant recipients for 2009:
Chemopreventive and Anticancer potential of Vitamin D and Rosemary on Breast Cancer, Linda S. Einbond, PhD
Exploiting the Mutant P53 and Mutant BRCA status in Transgenic Breast Cancer Models, Robert L. Fine, MD and Thomas Ludwig, PhD
Chromosome 17 Telomere Length and Breast Cancer Risk, Jing Shen, PhD
Genetic Synthetic Lethality: Genetics Approaches for Personalized Breast Cancer Therapy, Jose M. Silva, PhD
Click here to read complete descriptions of these studies and the researchers conducting them.
On Tuesday, June 30th, almost 50 patients, survivors, medical professionals & community members visited the Herbert Irving Pavilion at Columbia University Medical Center for Women At Risk's opening reception of "Lilly Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Cancer Journey." Attendees were able to view the various pieces of art created by people affected by cancer and the moving descriptions which accompanied them while enjoying refreshments and conversation. Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph, WAR's Medical Director, spoke briefly about the exhibit and Women At Risk's various programs for women affected by breast cancer.
The art was on display on the 10th floor of the Herbert Irving Pavilion from June 30th- July 2nd.
Green is the New Pink: the Environment and Breast Cancer
In collaboration with the Young Survival Coalition, WAR is hosting this workshop which will present a comprehensive overview of the link between environmental factors and breast cancer and empower young women to take steps to lower their exposure to harmful environmental factors and make informed consumer decisions. Patients, survivors, high-risk women and anyone else concerned about breast cancer is welcome to attend.
Speakers:
Regina Santella, PhD, Director, Columbia Center for Environmental Health, Director, Epidemiology Program, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
AND
Laura Weinberg, President, Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition
Date: Tuesday, September 22nd, 7PM-9PM
Location: The Meta Center, 214 W. 29th St between 7th & 8th Ave., NYC, 16th Floor
*LIRR, NJ Transit, ACE, 123 to 34th St./Penn Station.
Become a FAN of Women At Risk on Facebook!
Here's how to join Women At Risk's community:
1. Click here to go to WAR's facebook page.
2. If you're already a facebook member, you'll be taken directly to WAR's page, where you can click "Become a Fan" underneath the picture.
3. If you're not on facebook yet, you can create a profile by clicking "Join" and then follow the instructions above.
Women At Risk's research, education and support programs for breast cancer patients and high-risk women are made possible through the support of our generous donors. Click here to read more about how you can support the work of WAR.
Save the date for two exciting Fall fundraising events!
Online Auction.....Preview October 8th-12th, Bidding October 13th-19th
Exclusive Shopping Day at Barney's.....Thursday, November 5th