Western Regional Off Track Betting (WROTB) President and CEO Byron Brown presented representatives from the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) with a check for $25,215.30 to help those who been affected by breast or gynecologic cancer.
On September 27, a dinner and night at the races fundraiser with raffles to benefit the BCCR was held inside the Batavia Downs Clubhouse. Businesses and donors located in Western NY sponsored several races that night. Some monies came from the local harness racing community as some owners, trainers and drivers donated all or a portion of their earnings from the night to the BCCR. Through the dinner, donations, raffles and auctions for items, the event raised $25,213.30.
“I'm honored, along with the Batavia Downs Board of Directors, to present a check of over $25,000 to the Breast Cancer Coalition,” Brown said. “Breast Cancer Awareness Month just concluded in October but our focus should be year around with more than 360,000 people diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Early detection is critically important because - so the quicker you act the bigger the impact.”
"The Breast Cancer Coalition Community is profoundly grateful for the incredible support Batavia Downs provides year after year,” said Christina Thompson, President and Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition. “While we appreciate every contribution to our organization, the unwavering dedication from Batavia Downs and its staff holds special meaning. Their support extends beyond October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month—they stay engaged with us throughout the year, referring friends and family to our programs. They also recognize how challenging it is for a community-based organization to secure the vital funding needed to deliver our exceptional programs and services to survivors across Central and Western New York. Thanks to Batavia Downs’ enduring partnership, we can continue serving our community with the care and resources they rely on.”
Genesee County Legislator Marianne Clattenburg, left, presents a proclamation to fellow Legislator, and Legislative Chair Shelley Stein, who accepted on behalf of cancer survivors in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October. Photo by Steven Falitico
Of all the events and groundbreakings and celebrations that Genesee County Legislative Chairwoman Shelley Stein has attended to represent the county, there has been one event that has been a sober reminder of just how precious life really is.
That was when she received a proclamation recently for Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a survivor of the disease. Since her diagnosis and treatment in 2015, Stein has not only learned about local offerings but also about the importance of advocating for preventative care.
“One of the realities of life is that we don't get to choose what happens to our health all the time. But since having breast cancer, I have found that there is an incredible support system built into here in Genesee County,” she said to The Batavian. “I started with the Breast Cancer Coalition in Rochester. And at that time, our Senator Ranzenhofer had provided funds for there to be a support group in all of the counties that he represented. So then the Breast Cancer Coalition teamed up with our Genesee Cancer Assistance group.
“And that opened a different door for me because I didn't know anything about it at all,” she said. “But once you walk through the door of Genesee Cancer Assistance, you find this incredible support group that has doctors, it has researchers, it has the kind and caring neighbors that you need.”
Stein lives in Le Roy, what she considers to be on the edge of Monroe County, and therefore “that's the direction she headed" for all of her doctor and hospital needs, she said.
“But certainly, you know, I had my eyes opened to all of the services that are now available here in Genesee County because the providers are coming here,” she said. “And whether they have an office that is open full-time or they come in for services two or three times a week,” those professionals and providers, including Genesee Cancer Assistance, a nonprofit based in Batavia, are available.
Stein said that Genesee County is “really, really lucky to have the support services in place” right here, without having to travel farther away.
“And one of the biggest messages, of course, is to make sure to have your screenings,” Stein said. “And we all know how our body's baseline is. One of the things that we talked about in COVID was, you know, really, really become familiar with how your body feels.
“Same thing can be said about any other disease. You know your body best, and when something changes, don't hesitate. Get your screenings done right away.Really, the services, the research, and the screenings are available more locally now than they've ever been,” she said. “So there's no reason for anyone to get caught off guard by having breast cancer, I’m really hoping for an end to the disease.”
The proclamation states:
WHEREAS, every year the month of October aims to promote screening and prevention of breast cancer, and WHEREAS, each year we review our knowledge of this disease, shine a spotlight on its risks and symptoms, and raise awareness of how we can help fight it, and WHEREAS, research efforts have yielded great progress in how we diagnose and treat breast cancer, and has shown that when breast cancer is detected early there is a higher rate of cure and better chance of successful treatment and survival. The “Gold Standard” screening test for breast cancer is a mammogram – it can detect the disease before symptoms appear, and WHEREAS, individuals and communities still benefit from a reminder that breast cancer is not a solved problem – it’s not gone, nor cured or a condition to ignore, and WHEREAS, as we display pink ribbons and wear pink clothing to raise awareness, we also support those courageously fighting breast cancer and honor the lives lost to the disease, and WHEREAS, the Old Courthouse of Genesee County will have a light display of the color pink from Monday, October 9th through Sunday, October 15th to show awareness for Breast Cancer month, and WHEREAS, the fight does not end on October 31st, and WHEREAS, taking the right steps to combat this disease includes screening tests for early detection and prevention, standing by survivors and their families, and supporting worthy organizations that provide quality treatment and care or who are working tirelessly to find a cure. Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, the Genesee County Legislature does hereby proclaim October 2023 as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and encourage all residents to think pink, think prevention and think early detection.
In honor of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is calling on individuals to embrace education and early detection as primary mechanisms to fight the disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in the United States and at the top of new cancer cases reported in New York in 2016.
“As we all come together to emphasize our constant fight against breast cancer this month, it is critical to impart on the public that early detection is the key to beating this disease,” Hawley said.
“There are countless state and local programs, support groups and resources available to the public including through the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (BCCR) as well as a free screening program that is part of state law to cover ineligible or uninsured women.”
On Oct. 23, BCCR will host its annual “Lives Touched, Lives Celebrated” event which pays tribute to all the women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and includes a candlelight walk, music and poetry. For more information, visit https://bccr.org/lives-touched-lives-celebrated/.
As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the members of the City of Batavia Fire Department are proud to honor and support those who have fought and are no longer with us, those who are currently fighting, and those who will be fighting the battle against breast cancer.
Department members feel that it is important to support and maintain public awareness of breast cancer. The department has conducted this awareness program for the past several years and is proud to do so.
In order to show its support, fire department members (pictured above) for the month of October will be wearing a special uniform T-shirt that has our department patch that is adorned with the pink breast cancer ribbon on the front and back of the shirt.
Additionally, all department apparatus has a large pink ribbon decal affixed to the front of each vehicle for the month.
Story submitted by: Stefano (Steve) Napolitano, chief, City of Batavia Fire Department. Photo by Steve Ognibene.
"Every October with Breast Cancer Awareness Month we are reminded of the fact that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during her life.
"I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to schedule their preventative screening. In fact, thanks to legislation I supported (A.5677 of 2017) women in New York have more options than ever before to get screened, including a 3-D mammography process known as tomosynthesis that is now covered by insurance companies.
"No matter which screening process you and your doctor decide is best for you, there is nothing more important than early detection. Please make an appointment to get screened today or for more resources, visit www.ny.gov/programs/get-screened-no-excuses.”
Workers with Department of Social Services wore pink Friday as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and they shared pink snacks with each other. So far, they've raised $140 for Genesee Cancer Assistance and will continue fund-raising efforts throughout October.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today applauded October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month nationwide. Hawley expressed concern about this issue and was pleased to see many New York State leaders, including Gov. Cuomo, raising awareness of breast cancer research.
“Cancer is something that touches tens of thousands of families a year in New York, and breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women across the U.S.,” Hawley said. “We have made significant strides toward finding a cure for cancer over the last decade but we are not there yet. I am proud that the pink ribbon has become a widely recognized symbol in society because that means we are increasing awareness of this issue and more women are remembering to schedule regular mammograms.
"I will do my part to push for increased funding for breast cancer research at the state level and I encourage all of my constituents to spread the word so together we can beat this disease."
