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BCERF brought its Ad Hoc Discussion Group meeting to Western New York for the first time on June 25, 1997. BCERF thanks Senator Mary Lou Rath and her District Director Sharon Rich for their invitation and organizational work, and the University of Buffalo for hosting the meeting. Senator Rath's office also organized a breakfast preceding the meeting, for Western New Yorkers to learn more about BCERF.
To open the meeting, director June Fessenden MacDonald reviewed the progress of the BCERF program, giving a status report on projects and publications, and highlighting recent and upcoming meetings. She then provided an opportunity for participants to identify their issues of concern.
BCERF associate director Ann Lemley gave the first presentation, discussing "Drinking Water Quality - How To Make Decisions." She discussed the different water quality issues one might face, depending on whether the source is a municipal supply or a private well. Because much of New York State relies on private water supplies, Ann's Water Quality Program at Cornell has extensive experience assisting with the decision-making involved in using well water. Ann highlighted six types of water treatment methods, describing their appropriate uses, and any disadvantages. Anyone wanting to learn more can contact Cornell Cooperative Extension to order their "Water Treatment Notes," a series of fact sheets produced by the Water Quality Program.
This Ad Hoc meeting provided the opportunity for representatives from five different breast cancer groups from around the state to describe their histories and what they do. Gunther Fishgold, representing 1-in-9, spoke first, highlighting the group's Pesticide Education Project, a series of forums around the state targeting the general public.
Sarah Degnan of the Breast Cancer Network of Western New York spoke next, describing her groups array of activities. She was especially enthusiastic to report that many of their members had completed "Project Lead,' the intensive breast cancer activist training program sponsored by the National Breast Cancer Coalition.
Meg Ambry, Education/Outreach Coordinator for the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance, reported for her group. She described the fast-moving history of the group, beginning with a handful of newly-diagnosed women, and the comprehensive services it provides today. She explained that what her group emphasizes is choices for women with breast cancer, and "Choices" is what they have appropriately named their newsletter.
Next, the group watched a video sent by Lorraine Pace, who is a Breast Cancer Education Specialist at the Stony Brook Health Sciences Center, and activist in several Long Island groups. The video was a television report on the issue of elevated breast cancer rates on Long Island and their possible connection to pesticide use.
Finally, the group watched a video sent by Rosemarie Williams, president of the Cancer Awareness Coalition of New Paltz. In it, Rosemary discussed her group's major projects: education about health risks and the promotion of legislation for public health.
Bill Smith and Robert Warfield then reported on their progress developing software for the Pesticide Use and Sales Registry. Robert used flow diagrams to describe the variables in the data collection and features that the software must contain. Bob Haggerty of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation gave his update on progress the DEC has made on The Registry since the last ad hoc meeting. He described several means of assistance for compliance with the program: a detailed and specific document called a Technical and Administrative Guidance Memorandum (TAGUM); the continuation of the toll-free hotline (888-457-0110), and a future world wide web site.
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Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors
Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Vet Box 31, Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
Phone: 607.254.2893; Fax: 607.254.4730
Email: breastcancer@cornell.edu
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