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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Laura Jean Hawkins, Advisory Board Chair of Astoria Queens Sharing and Caring Inc.
4:33:46
·
116 sec
Laura Jean Hawkins, representing Astoria Queens Sharing and Caring Inc., testifies about the increasing demand for cancer support services and requests increased funding for the Cancer Services Initiative. She highlights the organization's work in providing free bilingual supportive services to cancer survivors and their families across multiple council districts.
- Sharing and Caring serves approximately 4,000 individuals annually and has brought programming to 22 of the 51 council districts over the past two fiscal years.
- Hawkins notes a concerning trend of cancer occurring in younger, previously healthy adults, contributing to increased demand for their services.
- The organization is requesting $200,000 in funding, citing that their council funding under the Cancer Services Initiative has remained flat for decades despite growing needs.
Laura Jean Hawkins
4:33:46
Good afternoon.
4:33:47
My name is Laura Gina Hawkins and I am the advisory board chair of Astoria Queen Sharing and Caring Inc, DBA Sharing and Caring.
4:33:55
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.
4:34:09
We strive to reduce fear and eliminate cultural and financial barriers in order to promote early detection and treatment as well as to improve access to life saving services.
4:34:21
We reach approximately 4,000 individuals a year.
4:34:24
Over the past two fiscal years, we have served cancer survivors and or brought programming into 22 of the 51 council districts.
4:34:34
As I testified at the preliminary budget hearings, there is currently a cancer epidemic in our state, in our country, and throughout the world.
4:34:43
Cancer is occurring in more adults considered healthy before their cancer diagnosis at younger ages, before 50, before 40, and sometimes much younger.
4:34:56
Why is this happening?
4:34:57
No one knows but they're researching the reasons why.
4:35:01
Until answers are found, however, the fact of the matter is that more and more community members are being diagnosed with cancer and more and more cancer survivors are turning to sharing and caring for help.
4:35:14
This increased demand for our services which started during the pandemic has stayed constant through 2024 and through 2025 and shows no sign of slowing down.
4:35:25
Our council funding under the Cancer Services Initiative, however, has stayed flat for decades.
4:35:31
We're so appreciative of the council's support through the years.
4:35:34
We're urging you to increase funding for the Cancer Services Initiative and to support our ask of $200,000 Thank you.