Adelphi Connection to Angelina Jolie's testing positive for BRCA1 gene

Oscar winner Angelina Jolie is in the news for taking the preventative measure of going through a double mastectomy after testing for the BRCA1 gene. She announced her condition in the Op-Ed section of the The New York Times on Monday, May 15. Jolie’s mom, Marcheline Bertrand, died in 2007 at the age of 56 from complications of breast and ovarian cancers—of which BRCA1 is an indicator. Adelphi University in Garden City is home to the NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program and they have a new and possibly lone BRCA gene support group.

Hillary Rutter, executive director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program

Established in 1980, the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program  program offers emotional support and information to people with and/or concerned about breast cancer. One-hundred trained volunteers (most of whom are breast cancer survivors) and social work staff have provided these comprehensive breast cancer services for 30 years.

Hillary Rutter, executive director of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, said Jolie’s decision to talk openly about her surgery will help raise awareness about breast cancer.

“She was brave to not only do what she needed to do but also to talk about it publicly so that other women can talk about it,” she said.

CBS News local and 1010 WINS Radio covered the story and spoke with Sharon Stanley, a member of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program.