New Award to be Given at Support Connection's Annual Gala

YORKTOWN, NY - Support Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that provides free support services to those affected by breast and ovarian cancer, will hold its Annual Spring Benefit April 15 at Sinapi’s Ceola Manor in Jefferson Valley.

At the event, the Board of Directors will present Katherine Quinn, Executive Director, with the Spirit of Love Award. Presented for the first time in 2016, the award is given in recognition of Quinn's devotion to Support Connection’s mission over the past 20 years.

The directors issued this statement telling the story of Support Connection and Quinn's essential and integral involvement:

Kathy attributes her life-long involvement with community service to her upbringing: “My parents were great people, dedicated to their family. We learned that responsibility and integrity are a way of life. They taught us to be strong, help others and work hard.” When she was only five, she helped her dad sell raffle tickets for their church. Kathy was active in her high school student government and her community block association. She later led several organizations helping women, families, and teens, as well as parent clubs in the Lakeland School District. Her husband and children were often by her side volunteering as well.

Kathy enjoyed a successful career in international banking, as she holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA: “I found my work interesting and challenging, but I knew I needed to be in an environment where I could make a difference in people’s lives.” Kathy transitioned to work in the not-for-profit sector when she joined a domestic violence center as the Business Director.

During that time her dear friend Isabel was diagnosed with breast cancer. Knowing Kathy was involved with women’s issues, Isabel asked if there was a place she could reach out to connect with other women with cancer. After researching local resources, Kathy was dismayed to learn there was no such support available.

A few years later Kathy attended a breast and ovarian cancer walkathon in Yorktown, walking in support of Isabel. It was at this walk that the seeds for Support Connection were sown: Nancy Heller (a breast cancer survivor) and Richard Adamski (who lost his wife Myra to breast cancer) spearheaded the event. When they gave a shout out for volunteers to plan another Walk the next year, Kathy stepped forward.

A group of about 20 volunteers gathered in the months that followed. They brainstormed about the Walk, but also about the lack of local support services for women facing cancer. They decided to create an organization to fill this need. Denise D’Amico, a Support Connection Board Member, was part of that initial group: “I was there at the beginning when Support Connection was just being formed and Kathy became involved. Her passion for the organization was instantaneous – it was like love at first sight. She came in, immediately gave it her all, and has never stopped for 20 years.”

Because of her experience and belief in the cause, Kathy offered to help get this new organization up and running. It was a chance to address the gap she’d discovered while trying to help Isabel. Kathy was involved with all aspects of helping Support Connection get started: preparing documentation to establish non-profit status, collaborating with other professionals to get training and advice, organizing volunteers, public relations, and finally opening the doors in September 1996.

Support Connection took off right away, Kathy recalls: “We received our first call for support within an hour of opening.” From that humble beginning, the organization continued to grow in size and impact under Kathy’s dedicated guidance. Support groups were formed. Yoga and meditation classes were added. Volunteer facilitators were recruited and trained. In 1999 Maria Rubino Jennings, a breast cancer survivor, joined the staff. Maria helped Kathy create the Peer Counseling program that has become the cornerstone of Support Connection’s array of personalized services.

Mike Murphy, Support Connection’s current Board President, saw the impact first-hand: “I first met Kathy in 1998 when my wife Nancy reached out to Support Connection for help. For the three years Nancy battled, Kathy was always there to lend encouragement and support to my wife and our entire family. To this day, she continues to exhibit this same concern and compassion to every woman who turns to Support Connection for help and hope.”

Today, Support Connection serves over 500 different people each year, offering 11 support groups every month, a year-round calendar of educational and wellness programs, and one-on-one counseling provided by three full-time Peer Counselors. Volunteers continue to play an integral role too, helping with events and many other tasks, including high school and college interns who are given the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the world.

Throughout the past 20 years, Kathy has worked diligently to move Support Connection forward while remaining true to its original intent. She says:“The years have flown by. Our services have grown and we now have a full time staff of 7 incredible people, but our mission always remains the same: providing help and hope to anyone affected by a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis.”

As Support Connection celebrates 20 years of service this year, the Board of Directors is delighted to honor Kathy with the Spirit of Love Award. Receiving the award means a great deal to Kathy as well, not just for the personal honor, but for how it represents Support Connection as an organization. She says:

“Support Connection is a gift to so many people. Cancer support is our mission, but Support Connection stands for many other things as well. It’s about the power of caring which brings people together to make life better. It’s about having a dream and gathering the right people to make it a reality. It’s about setting an example, especially for young people, that giving back is good for the community and for the spirit. It’s about creating the extraordinary by giving your all to the ordinary - a smile, a hug, taking a few minutes to listen. It’s about love.”

The Spring Benefit is Support Connection’s second most important annual fundraiser. Proceeds help fund the free breast and ovarian cancer support services and programs. In addition to the award presentation, the event will include a cocktail reception, dinner, music, and dancing. There will also be a silent auction and raffles with numerous valuable prizes.

To purchase tickets for the Spring Benefit, to pay tribute with a congratulatory Journal Ad, or to be an Event Sponsor, call 914-962-6402, emailinfo@supportconnection.org, or visit www.supportconnection.org/spring-benefit. To donate to Support Connection, visit www.supportconnection.org/donate-now.

PHOTO: Katherine Quinn, Support Connection Executive Director, recipient of the 2016 Spirit of Love Award/contributed