YSC NNJ has many exciting volunteer opportunities available, many of which you can do on your own schedule. Please contact us at 201.493.9606 or at yscnnj@youngsurvival.org for more information!
You Are Not Alone Networking Events
YSC NNJ holds bi-monthly You Are Not Alone networking events for young breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed at age 40 and younger (regardless of your current age). Events are held throughout our service area at fun locations. Would you like to plan an event in your area? This is a wonderful way to help get the YSC into your local community. Contact us at yscnnj@youngsurvival.org for more details.
At right, Café Tulip chef/owner Lale Aktuz demonstrates how to prepare a baked apple for YSC members.
Newly Diagnosed Resource Kits
The YSC Newly Diagnosed Resource Kit is designed to provide newly diagnosed young women with local resources and information developed specifically for them. The patient will receive the kit at a time when it is important for them to know they are not alone. YSC NNJ plans to roll this program out with one hospital in each of our service area counties. Volunteers will develop a relationship with a point of contact at each facility, explain the program and work with them to get the NDRK into the hands of EVERY newly diagnosed young woman.
We already have volunteers for: Bergen = Englewood, Valley and Hackensack; Union = Overlook; Essex = St. Barnabas. We need volunteers for: Morris = Morristown; Sussex = St. Clare's; Somerset = Somerset Medical Center; Passaic = St. Joseph's.
Adopt a Hospital
Individual constituents are able to 'adopt' their local hospital or doctor's offices to make sure they always have YSC resources! Please ask us how you can participate!
Lifetime Television honored Dinamarie Alcuri and Lise Muccilo as two of their Breast Cancer Heroes. For the fifth consecutive year in 2005, Lifetime Television honored some of the many heroes in the fight against breast cancer. Lifetime, along with their nonprofit and affiliate partners and sponsors, honored ONLY 20 advocates and survivors from across the COUNTRY as Lifetime's Breast Cancer Heroes. The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) nominated both Dinamarie and Lise for their continued work on behalf of young women affected with breast cancer!! The YSC selected them for their courage and dedication to helping make a difference in the lives of young women affected with breast cancer.
The Lifetime Television Breast Cancer Heroes Ceremony honors breast cancer survivors, advocates and community leaders from around the country, as part of the network's "Our Liftetime Commitment: Stop Breast Cancer for Life" public awareness and advocacy campaign providing women with lifesaving information. Heroes will be featured on Lifetime's website throughout October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The honorees were invited to Los Angeles for Lifetime's Stop Breast Cancer for Life Hero Ceremony and the taping of the WomenRock concert featuring Melissa Ethridge!! "WomenRock! Our Journey with Melissa Etheridge."
The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) recently awarded the third annual Lisa Muccilo Award for Excellence in Volunteering to Dinamarie Alcuri of New Jersey. The award is given in honor of Lisa Marie Muccilo, YSC Board Member, Outreach and Education Committee Co-chair, leader of the YSC's programmatic efforts in New Jersey and a tireless volunteer who passed away on August 18, 2003.
Dinamarie Alcuri (pictured above, far left, with other YCS NNJ members at December's Affiliate Leadership Conference), the YSC's third honoree, was nominated by YSC members. Dinamarie works tirelessly for the Young Survival Coalition, and although a full time career woman with additional volunteer commitments, she serves as the Chair/President of the the YSC's Northern New Jersey Affiliate.
The NJ local group was started by her friend Lisa Muccilo, for whom the award is named. Dinamarie has helped to raise over $330,000 for the YSC by serving as Auction and Event Chairs of the "In Living Pink" fundraiser over the last five years. She works with the NJ volunteers to spend the money wisely on Education, Outreach, Awareness and Survivor Programs throughout the year.
The award exemplifies the passion of Lisa who was a continual inspiration to the many young women living with advanced breast cancer. Compassionate, fearless, dedicated and completely selfless, she helped form a YSC affiliate in New Jersey; forged countless relationships with other breast cancer organizations in her local community and spoke to corporations, students and other survivors about her life with breast cancer. This award and the selection of the recipient embodies Lisa's values, beliefs and feelings and the significant impact individuals can make in their communities and in the lives of others.
"We are so proud to have selected Dinamarie as the recipient of the 2006 Lisa Muccilo Award for Excellence in Volunteering," commented YSC President Roberta Levy Schwartz. "As Lisa's friend, Dinamarie is intimately involved in the work of the YSC, and carrying on in Lisa's name was not an easy choice. She dedicates countless hours and efforts to our cause and exemplifies the traits of dedication and compassion. Dinamarie is most deserving of this award and makes a real difference in the lives of young women."
The YSC recognizes the work of all of its volunteers as they provide a valuable service to the community and define the YSC on all levels. This annual award underscores to the YSC volunteer community the significant accomplishments that can be attained when a volunteer acts with conviction and passion to advance the growth of the organization and the well-being of other young women affected by breast cancer.
Dinamarie Alcuri was honored at the 2006 YSC Affiliate Leadership Conference in December. The award has been generously underwritten by Roche Pharmaceuticals.
YSC NNJ members at the YSC Affiliate Leadership Conference, December 2006
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