On Saturday, May 4, 2019, the Families Walk for Hope will celebrate its 25th year of supporting the Fortunato Breast Health Center at Mather Hospital and breast healthcare in our community. If you’re looking for a reason to walk, here are 25 of them in honor of our 25 years:

  1. One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
  2. Over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.
  3. Mammograms can save your life by finding breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
  4. Lifestyle and environmental factors can have an impact on breast cancer risk. To keep your risk as low as possible, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, quit smoking and limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
  5. Walking is part of healthy lifestyle habits that can help reduce your cancer risk. Get started on May 4 with our scenic five-mile walk through Port Jefferson and Belle Terre, while at the same time, supporting a good cause.
  6. Walking can also help you:
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
  • Strengthen your bones and muscles
  • Improve your mood
  • Improve your balance and coordination
  1. The Fortunato Breast Health Center opened on August 23, 1995.
  2. Since opening its doors the Fortunato Breast Health Center has served nearly 40,000 patients.
  3. The radiologists at Fortunato Breast Health Center are specialists who only read breast imaging studies.
  4. Our radiologists read more than 14,000 breast studies each year.
  5. The Fortunato Breast Health Center offers no cost or discounted screenings for those who qualify through its Fund for Uninsured.
  6. Two new 3D Mammography units were purchased in 2018 for the Fortunato Breast Health Center and were 100 percent paid for through donations raised through initiatives like the Families Walk for Hope.
  7. The Fortunato Breast Health Center’s 3D digital mammography technology delivers clear, detailed images for improved diagnostic accuracy all while providing the lowest radiation dose of all FDA approved mammography systems.
  8. The Fortunato Breast Health Center offers individualized follow-up care, education for patients, families and the community, as well as breast cancer support groups.
  9. The staff at the Fortunato Breast Health Center treats every patient like a member of their own family.
  10. The Fortunato Breast Health Center is designated by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). This recognition is given only to those centers that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous review of their performance.
  11. The Fortunato Breast Health Center is accredited by the Commission on Cancer and recognized by the American College of Radiology (ACR) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.
  12. Walk with your kids and your furry friends too. The Families Walk for Hope is a family and dog friendly activity.
  13. If you’re looking to get healthy and start a fitness journey, make our five-mile course your goal. Get your family and friends to sign up with you or create a team. The walk is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family, remember a loved one, support a survivor, or connect with people who have a similar experience.
  14. The chances are we all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Walking for a friend or family member is a great way to honor them while also contributing to a great cause.
  15. By participating in the Families Walk for Hope, you are helping to bring breast cancer awareness to our community’s consciousness. That is something you can feel proud of.
  16. There is a sense of camaraderie amongst walkers. Join us and have your own feel-good moment, knowing that you are making a difference in the life of a Fortunato Breast Health Center patient.
  17. Join the ranks of over 20,000 people who have walked with us since our first Families Walk for Hope in 1995.
  18. Our walkers have raised $2,498,740 for the Fortunato Breast Health Center since 1995. These funds have been used to purchase and update equipment over the years so that we can continue to offer advanced, state-of-the-art breast healthcare to our community.
  19. By walking with us on May 4, raising funds, volunteering or forming a team, you’re helping the Fortunato Breast Health Center provide better care through funding improved screening equipment and support services. You’re making a difference in the lives of so many. And for that we are grateful.