Every year, NYSUT members walk in solidarity at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events – honoring the people touched by this disease and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fight it.
“NYSUT is proud to be the number one organization across the country for its contributions to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign. Every year, our members participate in walks across the state and donate generously to this cause – all to ensure that individuals diagnosed with this disease receive the best possible care. We know every dollar raised helps defeat this deadly disease and we are proud to lead the way toward a cure,” said J. Philippe Abraham, NYSUT secretary-treasurer, whose office coordinates the statewide union’s social justice initiatives and who lost one of his sisters to the disease.
When Andrea Cucchiara-Thompson's breast sonogram came back with a spot, she decided not to tell her family. “My daughter was heading off to college, and I was afraid she’d change her mind,” said Cucchiara-Thompson, a math teacher at Powell’s Lane Elementary School and member of the Westbury Teachers Association. “I just didn’t want to talk to anyone about it until the biopsy results came back. I was hoping it was nothing.”
Unfortunately, Cucchiara-Thompson's biopsy results came back positive. “I told my husband about my diagnosis on the way home from dropping my daughter off at college,” she said. Then she told her children a couple weeks later, right before her lumpectomy. “All I saw was the color drain out of their faces. I had to reassure them, ‘Don’t worry. Mommy is going to be fine. We caught it early.’”
After her surgery, Cucchiara-Thompson had radiation therapy, and she has been in remission for four years. Each year, she participates in Making Strides with her Westbury TA members, and this year she’s raised almost $1,000 for research and treatment. “I just feel like the more money we put toward a cure, the better. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through this, and I don’t want to see that look on my kids’ faces again,” she said.
Jill Drum, a retiree from the North Bellmore Teachers Association, is a team captain for the annual Making Strides of Long Island walk, galvanizing her team of retirees behind the cause. “Unfortunately, a lot of our members have been impacted by this disease, either because they’ve had it or because they’ve taken care of someone who had it, so it hits home for a lot of people,” said Drum. Drum was full of praise for her members, and said that as a result of their generosity, they raised $2,270 this year.
Every year, Drum uses the American Cancer Society reward points to earn Making Strides merchandise, which she then gives away to members at the annual luncheon. “That allows us to go out into the world, showing our commitment to the cause,” she said.
When it comes to fundraising, Drum said she always includes the American Cancer Society statistics in her outreach. “This information is vital to allow my members to see how their donations are being used. With every dollar raised we are helping people facing this diagnosis and their families,” said Drum. “The American Cancer Society does so much for people with breast cancer – from helping them find rides to medical appointments to coping with treatment side effects to funding the latest cancer research. We’re proud to be supporting their lifesaving work.”
Sandy Auer, an art teacher at Byron-Bergen Junior/Senior High School and member of the Byron Bergen Faculty Association, has been participating in the walks for 22 years, and has served as a team leader for her local since 2021. “We’ve always had a great turnout from our members,” Auer said. “People want to help, and if you give them a chance to support it, they will.”
This year, Auer has raised almost $1,000 for the organization; her team as a whole raised $2,287.
Auer said the Making Strides Rochester Walk is always such a positive event. People wear costumes and hold big signs, she said. “You get excited when you see someone with their survivor sash on. Everyone’s giving them high fives, and even in the sadder moments ... you know you’re engaged in doing something positive about it. You’re literally walking on.”