By Joseph D’Andrea
To promote breast cancer awareness, Adelphi University held the Annual Breast Cancer Celebration of Survivorship gala on Thursday, October 17 in the University Ballroom. The event featured a panel of three speakers who shared with the audience their inspiring and empowering breast cancer journeys.
The celebration was organized by the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, which was established in 1980 at the School of Social Work. At the time of writing, it remains the oldest breast cancer support hotline in the country.
Danielle Gaudio-Lalehzar ‘89, MA ‘90, Diana Mitchnick and Lynne Borah spoke about their experiences with breast cancer. Each speaker’s story was unique, but all came to the same conclusion: reaching out to others for support is paramount.
Gaudio-Lalehzar was diagnosed in 2020 with stage 2 hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, at the age of 53. Being diagnosed during a global pandemic was an added layer to her already difficult situation, and led to feelings of isolation. Fortunately for Gaudio-Lalehzar, she said her support team of friends and family—including her husband, Sal, “who always has the best advice” and their kids—were there for her along the way and helped keep her spirits up, especially during times of difficulty.
Her treatment plan consisted of four cycles of AC chemotherapy and Taxol (a chemotherapy drug) every two weeks. She then had five weeks of radiation, five days a week followed by Lupron shots, which are often used to treat breast cancer, a year later.
A Garden City resident, Gaudio-Lalehzar remembered seeing advertisements for the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program in the “Garden City News” and had used the hotline in her time of need. She said she also found comfort in writing, enrolling in Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Visible Ink program, which allows patients the opportunity to express themselves through writing. Already having a lifelong connection to music, this creative release in part led to her executive producing the children’s CD “Jersey Babys,” working with her father, Bob Gaudio, the legendary songwriter and founding member of the Four Seasons. The CD was given out to every attendee of the celebration, along with a notecard with a message and poem written by Gaudio-Lalehzar.
It was Gaudio-Lalehzar’s first time speaking in front of a large group of people, and although she admitted she was somewhat nervous, she added that speaking up not only supported others, but also helped herself at this point in her journey. She didn't want to live the rest of her life in fear, she said, explaining that “worry was like a tidal wave,” and so sharing her story became her way of facilitating awareness.
Mitchnick was diagnosed in 2003 at the age of 42 with stage 0 breast cancer with a one-millimeter intra-ductal tumor. Echoing the importance of a support base around her, she said that staying positive as much as possible was her main approach, and having her husband, two daughters and friends by her side during her diagnosis kept her on the right track mentally.
Unlike Gaudio-Lalehzar, at the time of Mitchnick’s diagnosis, she did not know about the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. However, through her work with Pink Aid Long Island as an advisory council member, member of the Grants Committee, and social media chairperson, she became connected to the program. Over the years, Pink Aid, an organization that aids underserved breast cancer patients in the form of moral and financial support, has awarded the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program with continued funding.
Speaking to those who have been through a cancer diagnosis is what’s most important, Mitchnick explained, and being open enough to share your own experiences with others to provide support is extremely valuable.
In 2004, at the age of 55, Borah was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer involving 34 lymph nodes. She had a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery that necessitated tissue expanders followed by silicone breast implants. Her treatment plan involved years of chemotherapy, and although this could feel like an overwhelming amount of treatment, she said she kept on with her message of never giving up and living your best life.
Partly attributing spirituality, reading and meditation to her getting through her diagnosis, Borah’s support team consisted of her husband who worked with her doctors and treatment team to find the best course of action, and mother who accompanied her to all of her medical appointments and treatments. Some of her loved ones were receiving treatment or were short-term survivors themselves, and always gave her more perspective.
A theme repeated several times during the event is that volunteers are the “heart and soul” of the program. As Borah’s journey went on and she learned about the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program, she became a volunteer herself, and is now a hotline volunteer and peer advisor. With Nina Foley, LCSW, Borah co-facilitates the program’s Warriors Book Club, a group supporting individuals impacted by breast cancer.
Those in attendance who have volunteered, are survivors themselves or have a connection to those affected by breast cancer in some way were all recognized at the end of the evening.
To learn more about the support program, visit breast-cancer.adelphi.edu or call their hotline at 800-877-8077.
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