Breast Cancer Network receives grant for support programs

The Breast Cancer Network of WNY (BCN) has received a $400,000 grant from the New York State Department of Health to support local women transitioning from breast cancer treatment to survivorship. Titled “Post Treatment Support Services for Breast Cancer Survivors who are Black,” the funding will support the work of BCN in collaboration with Great Lakes Cancer Care Collaborative to deliver support groups and other programming to women of color.

Beginning in April, BCN will present two monthly support groups, individual counseling sessions, and a peer mentoring program for the target population. The sessions and programs will be facilitated by Lakia Johnson, LMSW, oncology social worker for ECMC; and Melissa Wanzer, Ed.D., oncology survivorship program manager at GLCCC.

BCN Executive Director Rob Jones said, “The partnership between BCN and GLCCC is so important to the success of these programs, and we are fortunate to be able to count on the expertise and talents of our friends from Great Lakes to make this all work. We will be depending on the GLCCC network, as well as our contacts, to help get the word out about the programming.”

BCN was one of only three organizations in New York to receive the grant funding, which will take place over a five-year period. Both BCN and GLCCC plan to make their existing support and survivorship programs available to all participants. GLCCC also offers regular educational seminars, support groups, and additional resources for cancer survivors.

The Breast Cancer Network of WNY is located in the United Way Building at 742 Delaware Ave. Since 1994, it has been offering support and education services to people in Western New York who have been impacted by breast cancer. To learn more, go to https://www.greatlakescancercare.org/.

For more information, visit www.bcnwny.org or call 716-706-0060.