Funds restored for Adelphi breast cancer hotline

Officials and volunteers at the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program are celebrating the restoration of $294,000 in funding for the hotline that had been threatened during the 2009-10 state budget process.

State funding for the hotline, which is staffed by volunteers who are breast cancer survivors, was on the chopping block in Gov. David A. Paterson's budget proposal, but ultimately was restored in the final version of the budget.

State Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) and Assemb. Marc Alessi (D-Wading River), along with advocates for the hotline, ended up pushing for the funds to be restored. The money will come from the state's federal stimulus package.

Hillary Rutter, the group's executive director, said her staff and volunteers celebrated last night with a party at the office featuring home-baked desserts.

"I think this whole experience, although it's been extremely anxiety producing and challenging, I think it taught us one thing," Rutter said. "It really reinforced how valued our program and services are."