Bill Text: NY K00717 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commending the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester upon the occasion of celebrating its 25th Anniversary in July of 2023

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-09 - adopted [K00717 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00717-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 717

BY: M. of A. Bronson

        COMMENDING   the   Breast   Cancer   Coalition  of
        Rochester upon the occasion of celebrating its  25th
        Anniversary in July of 2023

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the  quality  and  character  of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and  dedicated  efforts  of  those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
commend  the  Breast  Cancer Coalition of Rochester upon the occasion of
its 25th Anniversary in July of 2023; and

  WHEREAS, For 25 years, the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester  has
served  the  community and those touched by breast or gynecologic cancer
to  empower  informed  decision-making   through   education,   support,
research, and advocacy; and

  WHEREAS,  All  programs  and  services  are free of charge for those
struggling with these specific cancers and the Breast  Cancer  Coalition
of  Rochester  continually  funds  research; they follow their Coalition
Pillar of prioritized  research  areas,  including:  cause,  prevention,
prevention of metastasis, and cure; and

  WHEREAS,  Formally  organizing  as  a not-for-profit organization in
1997, the Breast Cancer Coalition of  Rochester  began  humbly  with  13
breast  cancer  survivors  meeting  at the home of Sylvia Cappellino; in
January  of  1998,  the  organization  officially  received  their   IRS
Determination  letter and the Board of Directors met for the first time;
and

  WHEREAS, In 2000, the Breast Cancer Coalition  of  Rochester  opened
their  first  office  in the heart of Rochester, on Park Avenue; shortly
after its opening, Holly Anderson began  her  tenure  as  the  Executive
Director of the Coalition; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Breast  Cancer  Coalition of Rochester's first annual
walk and run was held on Mother's Day in 2002; at first called Heart and
Sole, the event was re-named the Pink Ribbon Walk and  Run  in  2004  to
become the Coalition's signature event throughout the years; and

  WHEREAS,  Upon  moving  to  University  Avenue,  the  Breast  Cancer
Coalition of Rochester's Breast Cancer Research Initiative  awarded  its
first  $25,000  grant  to  Mesut  Muyan,  PhD, a University of Rochester
researcher; and

  WHEREAS, The first annual Terri Schmitt  Legislative  Reception  was
held  in September of 2003, to recognize the importance of collaborating
with Legislators on matters that make a difference for cancer survivors,
laying  a  strong  foundation  for  the  Breast  Cancer   Coalition   of
Rochester's   Advocacy  Committee;  in  2004,  the  first  annual  Cindy

Dertinger Advanced Breast Cancer Seminar:  Tools  for  the  Journey  was
held, addressing Metastatic Disease; and

  WHEREAS,  A  landmark  victory  for Coalition Advocates, in March of
2005, the 48-hour Neighbor Notification Law in Monroe County was passed;
the Law requires prior written notification to the  owners  of  adjacent
properties before commercially sprayed pesticide applications; and

  WHEREAS,  As  a  way  to  improve  the lives of patients, the Breast
Cancer Coalition of Rochester began holding yoga classes in 2005,  later
more  evidence-based movement programs were established such as Qi Gong,
Tai Chi, Reiki, Feldenkrais, Pilates,  Fluid  Motion,  and  Mindfulness;
another way patients can find some relief is through support groups, the
Coalition's  Young  Survivor  Gatherings is a networking group for young
breast cancer survivors; and

  WHEREAS, Originally an informal program, the Peer Advocates  Lending
Support  (PALS)  Program  is  a  training session for peer mentors; this
program occurs annually and there are over 200 PALS matches a year; and

  WHEREAS, In 2009, the Advisory Council  was  formed  to  collaborate
with  community experts who possessed specific knowledge and skills; the
Coalition became active  in  the  community,  they  made  a  substantial
financial  contribution to the installation of a mammography unit to the
Anthony Jordan Health Center and advocated for the passage of New York's
medical marijuana bill to allow cancer survivors access to  a  botanical
remedy to alleviate pain; and

  WHEREAS,  After  holding a series of focus groups, the Breast Cancer
Coalition of Rochester opened its support programs to gynecologic cancer
survivors in January of 2014; and

  WHEREAS, Serving 27 counties today, the Breast Cancer  Coalition  of
Rochester  expanded  their reach in 2016 to further serve the community;
also this year, they moved facilities again to their current location at
University Avenue; and

  WHEREAS, The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester has  high  ethical
standards  and always strive to better their organization; in 2018, they
were selected as the recipient of the Ethie Award by the Rochester  Area
Business Ethics Foundation; and

  WHEREAS, Remaining open throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Breast
Cancer  Coalition  of Rochester truly cares about breast and gynecologic
cancer survivors and has  surpassed  $1  million  in  the  provision  of
funding and regional researchers since the program's inception; and

  WHEREAS,  This  year,  the  Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester has
taken the pink color of the ribbon for their annual Pink Ribbon Walk and
Run, and has combined it with teal  in  support  of  gynecologic  cancer
survivors; and

  WHEREAS,  The success of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is
in direct correlation to the efforts of its staff, whose involvement is,
and always has been,  characterized  by  an  impressive  commitment,  an
unbridled  enthusiasm,  and  an uncompromising standard of excellence in
all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it  serves;
and


  WHEREAS,  In  so  effectively  carrying  out its mission, the Breast
Cancer Coalition of Rochester has demonstrated the value  of  continuing
the fight against breast cancer; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to  our
attention,  they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commend  the  Breast  Cancer Coalition of Rochester upon the occasion of
celebrating its 25th Anniversary in July of 2023; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.