This week for The Moonlight, we sat down (virtually) with an organization near and dear to our hearts - the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. We asked them a few questions so you could get as familiar with them as we are.

People living with cancer often benefit from the practical help and advice they receive from others who have lived through similar situations. Support groups bring people together and provide a safe forum for exchanging perspectives, sharing concerns, and gaining confidence to face the future. The Breast Cancer Coalition does just that with its various programs, free of cost, along with funding research and educational programming.

10 per cent of all purchases at Mona Moon Naturals goes to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. We also show our appreciation and support by donating products for their Peer Advocates Lending Support (PALS) packs - gift bags for recently diagnosed cancer patients.

Here is what we talked about.

1. When was BCCR created and who created it? Is it part of a national organization?

In 1997, a group of thirteen breast cancer survivors, who shared a vision to create a group specifically focused on the disease, first met at the home of Sylvia Cappellino, one of the ‘founding mothers’. Their vision struck a chord. The group grew quickly and eventually moved into a small office on Park Avenue in Rochester before securing larger quarters at 840 University Avenue. In 2014, we moved into our current home at 1048 University Avenue.

Through it all, we have maintained the vision of our founding mothers. We address breast cancer by offering free support and educational programming, advocating for legislation beneficial to those affected by cancer, and funding research being conducted in Upstate New York. In 2016, we began offering our support programs to those diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, and we expanded our offerings to include the eight-county region surrounding Monroe County.

Throughout our history, the Breast Cancer Coalition has remained – and will remain - an independent, local, grassroots organization unaffiliated with any national organization. We are proud of how far we’ve come. And our work isn’t finished yet.

2. When diagnosed with cancer, how important is it to connect with support organizations?

Feedback from the survivor community we serve confirms the experience of our Coalition staff members, the majority of whom are breast cancer survivors: it is indispensably helpful for most newly diagnosed people to connect with a support organization. Family and friends are an important part of the picture, and their support is invaluable. But, whether or not a recently diagnosed person has a strong support system already in place, connecting with a support organization means drawing on the experiences of others who have ‘been there’ – who know through first-hand experience how difficult and life-altering a breast or gynecologic cancer diagnosis can be. It offers a unique form of hope that can’t be duplicated. Having access to the strength and hard-earned wisdom of others can, and does, make the difference between simply surviving and thriving in the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis.

3. When someone is diagnosed, how would they learn about BCCR? And what would they expect when they visit?

Many newly diagnosed people find us through their health care providers, and we nurture mutually supportive relationships with members of our health care community. Others find us through our quarterly newsletter, which is distributed in many locations throughout the region we serve. Some have searched and found our website: www.breastcancercoalition.org. And of course, there’s word of mouth. Our clients have been wonderful ambassadors for us!

When a recently diagnosed person first turns to us, we sit down with them and have an extended conversation by scheduling a Breast Cancer 101 or GYN Cancer 101 session. These one-to-one sessions we offer are designed to empower the individual to make the best possible decisions for themselves and are an introduction to the programs and services we offer. The newly diagnosed person can expect a compassionate listening ear in a safe, confidential space. They can expect to be heard and respected. They will also receive a PALS pack – a gift bag filled with useful and comforting items - including some Mona Moon Naturals’ products!

4. What services/programs are offered?

In addition to Breast Cancer 101 and Gynecologic Cancer 101, our Peer Advocates Lending Support (PALS) program connects those recently diagnosed with a peer mentor whose diagnosis and life situation are similar. And we offer a number of support groups scheduled at varying times to accommodate as many different schedules as possible. Some of these groups are open to our entire survivor community, while others focus on specific needs such as young survivors, those with metastatic disease, LGBTQ+ people, parents of adult children with cancer, and more.

Our Healing Arts initiative offers Gentle Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi classes, among others. Our Voices and Vision group is for those interested in writing as a creative outlet. We even have a monthly book club for survivors who wish to gather but don’t want to talk about cancer! With these diverse offerings, there’s truly something for everyone, and all our programs are free of charge. Full information, including a program calendar, is on our website: www.breastcancercoalition.org.

5. How has COVID affected the organization, and how are the programs delivered now?

We take the safety of our survivor community seriously, and all our programs are now running virtually through Zoom. For the first time in our history, our facility has been closed to the survivor community, and there is a limited staff on hand to answer phones and ensure that the needs of those who call on us are addressed in a timely manner. Most of our staff members are currently working from home to address our clients’ needs, which continue unabated. Cancer hasn’t stopped with the coronavirus and neither have we; all our programs and services remain open.

6. How is BCCR funded and what areas of NYS do you support? Do fundraising and donating monies stay local?

The Coalition raises funds to support our programming and ensure it remains free of charge through our three major fundraisers: the Pink Ribbon Walk and Run, the ARTrageous Affair Gala, and our Tee’d Off at Breast Cancer Golf Tournament. We also are the grateful beneficiary of many, many generous donations and community fundraisers. And some of our initiatives are grant-funded. All the funds we raise stay within the region we serve, which includes Monroe County and the nine surrounding counties, for a total of ten counties. We are committed to “keeping it local” in everything we do, and the funds we raise stay in our region.

It’s important to note, however, that we turn no one away. We have taken calls from New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Georgia, Florida... and the list goes on!

7. What volunteer opportunities are available?

Our three major fundraisers normally require large numbers of volunteers. However, under COVID-19, these fundraisers have been conducted virtually and volunteer opportunities for these events are currently limited. We look forward to the time when we are able to gather safely once again and can engage in person with members of our dedicated volunteer community.

We normally offer opportunities for volunteers to help out at our booths at area festivals such as the Lilac Festival, as well as health fairs throughout the region, although these have not been occurring under COVID. And we have volunteers who deliver our quarterly newsletter to businesses, libraries, and medical offices.

Our Research and Advocacy committees are volunteer-driven, and they continue to meet virtually. The roles of our committee members are just as important to our survivor community as ever, and our committees are open to all who are interested in the vital, challenging work they do.

We’ve said it often: we couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers!

Visit their website to find out more : Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester

The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester - Breast Cancer Awareness Month