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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Laura Jean Hawkins, Advisory Board Chair of Astoria, Queens SHAREing and CAREing Inc.
6:44:31
ยท
129 sec
Laura Jean Hawkins, representing Astoria Queens Sharing and Caring, testifies about the increasing cancer rates, especially early-onset breast cancer, and requests increased funding for cancer support services. She highlights the growing demand for their organization's services and asks for $200,000 in funding.
- Shares personal experience with thyroid disease and endometrial hyperplasia
- Cites a Columbia University study showing New York as one of the states with highest early-onset breast cancer rates
- Emphasizes that their council funding has remained flat for decades despite increased demand for services
Laura Jean Hawkins
6:44:31
Good afternoon.
6:44:33
My name is Laura Jean Hawkins.
6:44:35
I am the advisory board chair of Astoria Queen Sharing and Caring, DBA Sharing and Caring.
6:44:41
I appear today as a woman who has been an ally of and advocate for the cancer community for two decades.
6:44:48
I'm also a woman who has had her own health journey with thyroid disease and endometrial hyperplasia undergoing years of ultrasounds and biopsies.
6:44:57
Fortunately, all of my tests through the years have come back negative.
6:45:01
That is not the case, however, for many.
6:45:03
There is currently a cancer epidemic in our state, our country, and throughout the world.
6:45:09
Cancer is occurring in more adults considered healthy before their cancer diagnosis at younger ages, before they turn 40 or 50 or sometimes even younger.
6:45:22
And in regard to breast cancer specifically, a recent study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health has uncovered that the five states with the highest overall incidence of early onset breast cancer were Maryland, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut, and New York.
6:45:40
Why is this happening?
6:45:42
No one knows, but researchers are on it.
6:45:44
Until answers are found, however, the fact of the matter is that more and more people in our community are getting diagnosed with cancer.
6:45:52
And more and more breast cancer and other cancer survivors are turning to sharing and caring for help.
6:45:59
The increased demand for our services, which started during the pandemic, has stayed constant through 2024 and shows no sign of slowing down.
6:46:08
Our council funding under the Services Initiative, however, has stayed flat for decades.
6:46:16
My fellow board members and I are so grateful for the council's belief in our mission and long standing support.
6:46:23
The time for increased funding to the cancer service initiative, however, is needed now to help groups like Sharing and Caring and others throughout the five boroughs.
6:46:33
On behalf of my board and those served, thank you and please support our funding request of $200,000.
6:46:39
Thank you.