Of Yorktown News
The services of Support Connection were epitomized Sunday as more than 8,000 people came out to FDR Park in support of those affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
The 19th Annual Support-A-Walk brought out a mix of survivors, patients currently undergoing treatment, or those that simply wanted to remember a lost loved one.
“It’s a fundraiser that allows us to provide our services, but it’s also an opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate and honor those who have been diagnosed,” said Barbara Cervoni, director of services and communication at Support Connection. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to thank Support Connection and it’s also an opportunity for us to be connected with them in a more direct and personal way.”
Hudson Valley Hospital Center employees and breast cancer survivors Lisa Olmos, 18 years, Paula Natale, 14 years, and Sue Andersen, 7 years, welcomed Patty Witters as the newest member to their group this year.
“She’s a newbie, but she’s going to be here when she’s at 18 and I’m at 36,” Olmos said.
Olmos, Natale, Andersen and Witters call themselves the “Bosom Buddies.” The friends meet up once monthly to have dinner. On Sunday, the group donned matching pink ribbon costumes.
“We went to [Long Beach Island] yesterday and went to a Halloween shop and we saw these,” Witters said. “There was only four left.”
The annual walk was co-founded by Rich Adamski, who lost his wife, Myra, to breast cancer in 1994, and Nancy Heller, a 28-year breast cancer survivor.
After his wife passed, Adamski organized a group, which included Heller, to go to a breast cancer awareness walk in New York City. On the bus back from the city that day, Heller had the idea to do a walk in Northern Westchester.
The walk drew around 9,000 supporters each in 2011 and 2012, and Cervoni said 2013 was more of the same.
“It was definitely successful,” Cervoni said. “Every parking lot at the park was filled. The fact that it was a drizzly day didn’t stop anyone from coming. It’s pretty overwhelming to see how important it was for them. Based off the number of cars, it’s fair to say we probably had at least 8,000 people there.”
In 2012, there were registrants and supporters from 113 different municipalities and 12 different states. Registrants can be attendees, fundraisers or donors.
“I personally am moved by the number of groups that come back year after year, even though they’re remembering someone who was lost,” Cervoni said. “I met one young woman who comes every year. She said she just wants to be able to remember her mom in a way that’s positive and inspirational.”
Jennifer Dearstyne-Comerford, a Yorktown native, was diagnosed in 2009 with two primary cancers—ovarian and uterine. She was first drawn to Support Connection because of its location to her home.”
Dearstyne-Comerford first walked in 2009 “bald as a baby’s butt.” She returned on Sunday with the support of her mother, husband and the rest of “Team Jenn.”
“I had two primaries at the same time, totally unrelated,” Dearstyne-Comerford said. “When I was diagnosed I had surgery in Mt. Sinai and they were trying to give me resources in New York City but it was too far because I’m from up here. So my doctor had told me about Support Connection and they were the first call I made, and I’ve been with them ever since. They’ve been a huge part of my life.”
The proceeds from the annual walk assist Support Connection in providing free and confidential services to women affected by breast and ovarian cancer, and their families.
“Nobody wants to be diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer, but once you get that diagnosis, it’s so important to connect with other people. It just makes a huge difference,” Cervoni said. “That’s why all of our services are based on peer support.”
For those who would like to help, donations can be made online at supportconnection.org, or by sending checks, made out to Support Connection, to 40 Triangle Center, Suite 100, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598.
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