The Beth C. Tortolani Foundation is proud to have awarded grants to the following programs in 2018

Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center - “The Nancy Marx Strength To Strength Cancer Wellness Program” is a customized fitness program geared to the special needs of women recovering from breast cancer treatment as well as their caregivers. The program targets women who are in breast cancer treatment, near completion of treatment or have completed treatment and are looking to reduce fatigue and restore strength, flexibility and positive body image. Conducted by a certified fitness instructor and a licensed clinical social worker, it is offered free of charge at the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center. The program has expanded to include zumba, yoga, knitting and crocheting for cancer survivors, lymphedema management class, and a day-long retreat for living well with cancer and beyond.
Program Director: Randy Hight

Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program - This program provides support services to underserved minority women diagnosed with breast cancer at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC). The services include bilingual crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, patient navigation and concrete services for every newly diagnosed patient at NUMC and their families and ongoing in-person and phone counseling. A social worker will make referrals for assistance with needs as identified and will work with community programs to provide these services. Services are made available regardless of ability to pay and also provides no and low cost mammography through the NYS Cancer Services Program of Nassau County.
Program Director: Hillary Rutter

Stony Brook Southampton Hospital – “Pink Days” on the East End provides education, informational support and screening coordination for the medically underserved and ethnically diverse women on the East End of Long Island. Patient navigators plan “Pink Days”, 10 health fair days sponsored by Southampton Hospital, local community organizations and churches. Women are educated on the importance of breast screening and offered free clinical examinations, mammograms and pap smears.
Program Director: Susan Barry Roden

Breast Cancer Comfort Foundation – “Chemo Comfort Bags and Comfort Baskets” provide comfort, emotional support and encouragement to individuals undergoing curative or preventative breast cancer treatment. Developed by an OR nurse at North Shore Hospital in the Northwell Health System, the bags are delivered to patients at the beginning of chemo treatment or at the beginning of recovery post mastectomy. Baskets and bags contain journals, handmade flannel hearts that hold hot/cold packs as well as other personal care items.
Program Director: Debi Cavolo

Necessities, Inc. - The “Necessities Bag” is a reusable tote bag designed for the mastectomy patient providing information and supplies to prepare for surgery and aid in recovery. Bags are provided free of charge through physicians’ offices and include a folder to organize surgeon and hospital information, memo pad and pen, water bottle, lip balm, emery board, pocket pack of tissues, roll of Life Savers for dry mouth, 10 large cushioned bandages, 10 all-purpose bandages, gentle paper tape, Bacitracin antibiotic ointment, ribbon to secure surgical drains when showering, “Woman To Woman Guide To Prepare For Mastectomy”, hand- made cushioning pillows to place under arm and chest, and sleeveless cotton undershirts. 
Program Directors: Maureen Lutz, Fran Mendelowitz

Support Connection - “Customized Care Services for Breast Cancer Survivors” provides emotional, social and educational support services to women, their families and friends by phone, e-mail and one-on-one counseling from diagnosis, treatment, recovery and beyond. All requests for support for information are answered by someone who is a breast cancer survivor herself. The customized information packets are free of charge and designed to meet the needs of each individual caller. Although the primary service area is Westchester, Putnam and surrounding Counties, through the toll- free hotline and website, they are able to reach people in many other areas. 
Program Director: Katherine Quinn

Gilda’s Club Westchester – “Breast Cancer Outreach Support Program” provides bilingual psychosocial support services to women diagnosed with breast cancer who cannot afford it elsewhere, including individual and family counseling in White Plains, New York. Free one-to-one counseling is offered with a licensed mental health professional in English and Spanish. Five monthly cancer support groups are offered including one for women of color and one for Spanish- speaking women, the only one of its kind in Westchester.
Program Director: Erica Forest