Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Anna Kril, Founder and President of Astoria Queen's Sharing and Caring
6:46:44
ยท
150 sec
Anna Kril, a two-time breast cancer survivor and founder of Astoria Queen's Sharing and Caring, urges the council to increase funding for the Cancer Services Initiative and support their request for $200,000. She highlights the organization's work in providing free bilingual supportive services to cancer survivors and their families, reaching approximately 4,000 individuals annually.
- The organization has seen an increasing demand for services since 2020, with no sign of slowing down.
- Funding challenges include static council funding, lack of COLA increases for discretionary contracts, and the discontinuation of New York State matching funds.
- Kril emphasizes the need for increased support, citing an example of a young cancer patient turning 30 next month with a 2-year-old child.
Anna Kril
6:46:44
My name is Anna Krill, and I am a two time breast cancer survivor and founder and president of Astoria Queen's Sharing and Caring doing business as Sharing and Caring.
6:46:55
I'm here today to urge the council to enhance funding to the Cancer Services Initiative and to fully support our request of $200,000 Sharing and Caring is a one stop grassroots community based organization which provides free bilingual supportive services to cancer survivors, their families, caregivers, and community members.
6:47:20
We strive to reduce the fear and eliminate cultural barriers to promote early detection and treatment as well as to improve access to lifesaving services.
6:47:30
We reach approximately 4,000 individuals a year.
6:47:34
We have served cancer survivors in and or broad programming to 21 of the 51 council districts.
6:47:43
The demand for our services, unfortunately, consistently since 2020 has risen, and there's no sign of slowing down.
6:47:54
Our cancel funding, as Laura Jean mentioned, has remained the same.
6:47:59
The fact that council discretionary contracts are not eligible for COLA increases, and the fact that New York State no longer provides matching funds to CBOs under the cancer services initiatives, it is becoming increasingly challenging for us to continue to assist those living and coping with cancer.
6:48:23
The time for increased council funding is now.
6:48:27
I'd like to put a face to this early onset cancer.
6:48:32
It is hitting younger and younger people.
6:48:35
I wanna share with you a current person that I'm working with right now.
6:48:42
Next month, she will be reaching and celebrating her 30 birthday.
6:48:48
Her little son will also be celebrating his second birthday next month.
6:48:53
These are the young people that are coming to us, and they need a lot of support and help.
6:48:59
I I beseech you, please, enhance our funding to the Kansas Services Initiative, and please fully support our request of $200,000 Thank you so much.