PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Connie Bordenga, Associate Director of Cancer Center Partnerships at American Cancer Society
1:37:28
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114 sec
Connie Bordenga from the American Cancer Society testifies in strong support of Memorial Sloan Kettering's (MSK) proposed Pavilion project, highlighting the organization's close partnership with MSK and the critical need for expanded cancer care facilities in New York City.
- The American Cancer Society currently funds over $3.7 million in research grants at MSK and collaborates on various cancer prevention and support initiatives.
- MSK is described as the largest referral source for the American Cancer Society's free lodging program for cancer patients during treatment.
- The proposed Pavilion, with 28 operating rooms and additional patient beds, is deemed necessary to meet the rising cancer rates and healthcare needs of New Yorkers.
Connie Bordenga
1:37:28
I'm an Associate Director of Cancer Center Partnerships at the American Cancer Society.
1:37:33
At the American Cancer Society, we work to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy research and patient support to ensure that everybody has an equal opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.
1:37:48
We have worked very closely with Memorial Sloan Catering for many years to support New York Cancer patients.
1:37:55
In fact, we are currently funding over $3,700,000 research grants, and Memorial Sloan Kettering is our largest referral source for our New York CD whole lodge, which provides free lodging for cancers and for cancer patients during their treatment.
1:38:13
And as cancer rates continue to rise, rate, our work together has never more been never more important.
1:38:21
MSK has been a major supporter of our advocacy work around expanding access to biomarker testing.
1:38:28
Tobacco control, staff is always volunteering or events participating and expanding access to among other things, HPV vaccinations, which prevents cancer, as you know.
1:38:41
They have generously funded a health equity ambassador program in 2023, training Black and Latinx community members to engage in pure cancer education.
1:38:52
The pending law land use applications are essential for their ability to deliver on the promise of high quality, efficient patient care to seek it, and therefore, the American Cancer Society offers its strong support.
1:39:06
We look forward to the pavilions approval, and it's opening in 2030.
1:39:11
It's 28 operating rooms and associated intensive care units and patient beds are necessary addition to the city's capacity for meeting the needs of New Yorkers diagnosed with cancer.
1:39:22
Thank you.