Kat’s Ribbon of Hope presented a grant of $100,000 to the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program

News from the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Program
May 14, 2018
Contact: Lyn Dobrin, 516-997-8545

Kat’s Ribbon of Hope presented a grant of $100,000 to the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program

Kat’s Ribbon of Hope presented a grant of $100,000 to the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program for their bilingual patient navigation program for underserved breast cancer patients. The grant will be used to support patients at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) and local hospitals through their diagnosis and treatment. The Adelphi Breast Cancer Program’s social workers address disparities in mortality by providing psychosocial support, counseling, patient navigation and concrete services to underserved patients. Additionally, the program facilitates a Spanish language support group, Cafecito, in the community for breast cancer patients.

“Our partnership with the Adelphi program supports our goal to provide financial assistance to women who would otherwise not be able to afford early detection and treatment services for breast cancer,” says Katerina Dinas Raptis, a breast cancer survivor who is the cofounder of KROH. Kat, who was diagnosed when she was 32, says that while having breast cancer was “a nightmare,” she was blessed in many ways with the support of her family and excellent medical care. She realized that there were many women who did not have such support and was determined to do what she could to help. She and her husband George Raptis and sister Despina Yarian established Kat’s Ribbon of Hope in 2013.

“The staff of Adelphi is a big part of what we do,” says Despina. “Through their work they define what Kats Ribbon of Hope is all about.” Last year, KROH gave the Adelphi program a grant, which allowed them to hire an additional patient navigator. “The generosity of Kat’s Ribbon of Hope is greatly increasing our ability to help underserved women,” says Hillary Rutter, the executive director of the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program.

The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, established in 1980, offers free emotional support, education and advocacy for breast cancer patients and the community. The hotline can be reached at 800-877-8077 or breast-cancer.adelphi.

End

Photo: Adelphi Breast Cancer Program staff, volunteers and breast cancer survivors at the 2017 Kat’s Ribbon of Hope Benefit with Katerina Raptis (5^th from left).  
Photo Credit: Sunny Norton Photography