About

The Lean on Me Breast Cancer Network Inc. was established as a non-profit organization in May of 2000 by Dr. Dwight De Risi, Donna De Risi, Sharon Pape, retired,  the late Ursula Thall and the late Gerry Accardo.  Its goal is to provide one on one support for women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer by pairing them with volunteer survivors from among the patients of each individual’s practice.  We now have three chapters.  

To date, the Lean on Me peer support program has trained over eighty volunteers and has helped thousands of patients, both women and men. Since its inception, the Lean on Me Breast Cancer Network Inc. has expanded its programs and services and now includes several forums for education and support.  A few of our ongoing programs are listed below:
 

• Weekly Patient Support Group with licensed social workers and guest medical professional speakers

• Breast Cancer Updates seminars sponsored by The Sass Foundation for Medical Research.

• Breast Care Education Series a series of educational seminars about Breast Cancer its treatment options and staying cancer free.

• Provide Patient Care Packages include information kits, necessity bags, wigs, and post-surgical bras and fittings.

• Summer/Winter Serenity Wellness Seminars at Our Lady of Grace Retreat House “Highlights from the Miami Breast Cancer Meeting” seminar followed by a question and answer session for patients.

• Annual 5K Walk and Talk at Bethpage State Park with "Sting Ray" Elvis, Elvis Presley  impersonator, “Walk and Talk.”

All of these services and programs are funded by donations from professionals and very generous patients, family, and friends.  Lean on Me Breast Cancer Network Inc. has been designed to provide patients and their families with access to a comprehensive set of resources, free of charge, in order to manage their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

 

We all know all too well there is much more “in between” those three words so our hope is to positively impact the overall quality of life of each individual patient as well.  We continue to work towards that goal and are grateful for the support of other organizations, especially The Beth C. Tortolani Foundation, Nassau Radiologic Group and Affiliates (NRAD).