Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition

The Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition (BBCC) is a grass roots not for profit volunteer organization dedicated to various breast and gynecological cancer concerns. The BBCC was founded in 1993 when three friends, Debbie Basile, Betti Ann Innes and Pat Smith of Babylon, Suffolk County, New York; two of them diagnosed with breast cancer, found they could no longer ignore the statistics. Determined to fight the disease by raising awareness and educating women about breast cancer, the BBCC, with its staff of dedicated volunteers, undertook the task of completing a demographic survey to ascertain the incidence of breast cancer in Babylon.

From this early work grew a volunteer driven grass-roots organization that serves the entire Township of Babylon. The BBCC provides direct patient services and support to help ease the burdens that breast and all gynecological cancers put on patients and their families.  In additions to assisting in the basic needs of those battling cancer the BBCC also reaches out to the community at large, providing educational programs to encourage healthier lifestyles which would decrease the still very high instance of these cancers in our community.

The BBCC focuses on five essential goals:

  1. Prevention – Support of the Precautionary Principle and Prevention is the Cure; encouragementand education about a healthy lifestyle.
  2. Research – To promote legislation to increase funding for environmental research and providefunding for specific breast cancer projects.
  3. Education – Providing up-to-date information through our quarterly newsletter and informationpackets. We offer adult and student environmental awareness programs designed tohelp participants reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals.
  4. Services – To offer breast cancer patients a plethora of services paid for and facilitated by theBabylon Breast Cancer Coalition; LAHH, SOS and the Gift of Health & Inspiration
  5. Support – To provide support and referral services to breast cancer patients and their families.

Our programs and services include the following:

Lend A Helping Hand

Since its inception in 1996, this unique patient serviceprogram provides much needed stress relief for breastcancer patients and their families confronting diagnosisand ensuing treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. In Spring 2007, the BBCC expanded the LAHH program to include Babylon Township women undergoing treatment for all types of reproductive cancers.

  • Services offered: house cleaning, transportation to/from medical appointments, financial assistance, child care, massage therapy, meal preparation and more.
  • Volunteers set up services and appointments and maintain regular contact to provide support and referrals.

The BBCC works to encourage expansion and adoption of the program throughout the country and is working with other organizations to formulate a nationwide LAHH program.

Scholarships

The BBCC offers scholarships to Babylon Township high school seniors who have had a parent or legal guardian with a personal breast cancer history.