Yorktown Leo Club welcomed speakers from Support Connection
(Yorktown Heights, NY) On Sunday, January 10, a roomful of high school students learned up close and personal how a diagnosis of breast cancer impacts not just the woman with the disease, but her entire family. Guest speakers at the Yorktown Leo Club’s monthly meeting were Andrea Karl and her daughter Julia. Ms. Karl is a Peer Counselor at Support Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization based in Yorktown Heights that provides free programs and services across the region to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. She is also a breast cancer survivor.
The Leos have provided volunteer help to Support Connection over the years, especially at the organization’
Ms. Karl provided an overview of Support Connection’s services and explained “peer counseling” where women who’ve experienced cancer help other women traveling a similar journey. Her daughter Julia, a college sophomore, spoke about what it was like to learn that her mother had cancer when she herself was only 12. Since then, Julia has volunteered many hours for Support Connection, so she could relate to the Leo Club members.
She said: “It was a great experience talking to the Leos about the work Support Connection does, especially since they knew something about the importance of it to the community. They seemed to understand my and my mom’s message and were eager to help us in our mission.”
Avitabile was very pleased with the meeting’s outcome. He said: “I have attended many meetings, but this was one of the best presentations I have ever heard. It hit home with everyone when Andrea spoke about her work. The emotions were reflected in her voice. All her colleagues are also cancer survivors. They are one of the things that make this organization special because they really know how to support and connect with ladies who receive the news that they have a devastating illness.”
He added “But even more so, what really moved especially the teens in attendance was her daughter’s presentation on her experiences and very evident feelings of the possibility at not having a Mom at age 12.”
The Yorktown Leo Club plans to continue providing volunteer and fundraising support to Support Connection to help sustain and enhance their programs and services for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
The Yorktown Leo Club is a youth community service organization comprised of students from the Yorktown and Lakeland school districts. They complete 2 to 3 service projects a month, such as giving food and clothing to the homeless during Midnight Run; helping Support Connection at their annual walkathon, throwing a pizza party for senior citizen at the Seabury. The Leo's mission is two-fold: They serve the community and they provide Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity (LEO) to the members of the club. The Leo Club started about 15 years ago and the membership is currently at about 160 Leos. To learn more, visit www.yorktownleos.org.
Support Connection, Inc. is a 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services and programs to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Founded in 1996, Support Connection is based in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., but through their toll-free hotline and website they serve people throughout the country. Services include: One-on-one peer counseling and support groups offering women the opportunity to connect with other cancer survivors; Ongoing wellness classes; Holistic health workshops; Public educational programs; Information and referral services; A toll-free cancer information and support hotline (800-532-4290.)
PHOTO CAPTION (l-r): Evan Kuras, Leo Club President; Andrea Karl, Support Connection; Al Avitabile, Leo Club Advisor; Julia Karl.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
