State Senator Catherine Young Secures $400k in Funding for Cancer Programs in 57th Senate District

New York State Senator Catherine Young (R, C, I, – 57th District) announced today her obtainment of $200,000 for Cancer Services Programs (CSP) that serve Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Livingston Counties; and a $200,000 grant for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.

Cancer Services Programs is a state-funded program that provides certain cancer screenings to New York State residents without insurance or who can’t afford the costs of cancer screenings and diagnostic services. The program provides screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer.

“Lack of insurance or ability to pay should never be a barrier to mammogram screenings which can find tumors when they are still small and treatable,” said Senator Young. “Thanks to New York’s Cancer Services Programs, no one has to go without access to these potentially lifesaving tests. Our most powerful weapons in the fight against cancer are education and early detection, which is why it was a priority for me to secure additional funding for our area’s CSPs. In a rural area like ours, the need for these services is particularly acute.”

CSPs experienced a state-wide budget reduction from $25.3 to $19.8 million, approximately 20%, in an effort to consolidate state resources. Because rural areas have lower income levels and lack of access to health services, the effects of the budget cut were felt more intensely in much of the 57th district.

“Despite a significant decline in uninsured persons since the passing of the Affordable Care Act, there are still many people in Chautauqua County who greatly benefit from and rely on the Cancer Services Program- our thriving Amish population is a prime example,”  said Christine Schuyler, Director of the Chautauqua County Health Department.  “Without financial support from CSP, many Amish women and men would not seek out preventative, life-saving cancer screenings,” said Christine Schuyler, Director of the Chautauqua County Health Department”

Funding for the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester is a boon to Livingston County’s health, as well. The coalition provides free-of-cost treatment to a 10-county area, of which Livingston County is a part. They also fund research that focuses on development and treatment of breast cancer.

“Since 1997, the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester has been a trusted ally in the drive to combat breast cancer and a source of support, guidance and information for tens of thousands of women, men and their families,” said Senator Young. “The team at BCCR bring passion and expertise to their work and are a lifeline for those impacted by this illness. They help countless patients become survivors. Making sure they have the resources they need to continue their lifesaving work is a priority.”