The following article has been contributed by Hillary Rutter, director, Adelphi NY statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, in recognition of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Getting help from our hotline

by Hillary Rutter

When I became the director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program nearly 15 years ago, I first came into contact with an amazing group of women—our hotline volunteers.

These are the women who answer the phones when people call with their concerns and fears about breast cancer. They listen and provide useful information and a shoulder to lean on.

Our volunteers are all breast cancer survivors who have completed an extensive training course led by our social workers and a nurse. Callers have told us that they are immediately calmed because they are speaking with someone who has “been there” and has not only survived but now is volunteering to help others. It gives people hope.

Callers can stay on the line as long as they wish and call as often as they wish. Many callers have told us they don’t want to be a burden on their family or feel they are unable to express what they want because they don’t want to worry the people around them. Some callers are alone and need a friendly, knowledgeable person to speak with.

Who are these wonderful women? Here are seven:

Mary, diagnosed at age 46, had a lumpectomy. Mary says: We’ve come a long way in treating breast cancer; cancer is no longer a death sentence.” Mary wanted to do something positive with her experience so she decided to become a volunteer.

Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 32. Five years after treatment she made the decision to become pregnant. Her “baby,” she says is now nine and she has no regrets about her decision. Susan handles specialty calls about pregnancy.

Jean had breast cancer 24 years ago. She is bilingual and is there for Spanish-speaking callers.

Diane is positive for the breast cancer gene BRCA2. Many in her family have been had breast cancer, including an uncle, and she has written a book about the family’s experience. Diane handles specialty calls about inherited breast cancer.

Florence, who is 70, was diagnosed 11 years ago. She became a volunteer so she could help other people and make a difference.

Serap is from Turkey and she was diagnosed five years ago. She has developed a web site in Turkish to help people from her homeland to understand breast cancer and to cope with the disease.

Catherine, diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, says that when diagnosed with breast cancer your life changes in every aspect. “The most important thing is Hope,” she says. “When you phone the hotline you hear a voice, you know they understand. Well, I am now one of those voices.”

Each of our 100 volunteers is an individual who has had an encounter with breast cancer. They recognize that each caller has her own special story and they are there to listen.

We encourage people to call. All calls are free and confidential.

Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program
You are not alone.
800-877-8077
www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer