| Women At Risk (WAR®) is the breast cancer program of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center whose mission is to enhance the lives of women who are at high risk for the development of breast cancer and women with breast cancer through research, education and support. WAR was founded in 1991 by a grassroots partnership of physicians, patients and volunteers and since then, has been funding and conducting innovative breast cancer research and implementing successful support and education programs in the New York Metropolitan Area.
What does Women At Risk do?
High-Risk Program
WAR recognizes that addressing risk is one of the most effective ways to reduce breast cancer occurrence and mortality. Women enrolled in the high-risk program gain access to long-term monitoring and care as well as high-risk resources and support. They are also enrolled in the WAR Registry Database which offers researchers the opportunity to access data for use in studies concerning breast cancer risk.
Research
WAR provides seed money for innovative research projects, many of which go on to receive additional support from major granting institutions. Since its inception, WAR has dispersed more than $1 million, funding more than 50 projects in the areas of surgery, oncology, radiology, epidemiology, genetics and complementary/alternative medicine.
Education
WAR hosts an annual educational symposium dedicated to a hot-topic in breast cancer and publishes a biannual newsletter containing information on current research, support programs and upcoming events. WAR also sponsors a fellowship for one young surgeon each year. The fellow is trained in the basic management of breast cancer and educated on new and innovative treatments.
Support
Women At Risk’s Patient Navigator meets with newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients at NYP/CUMC and helps them navigate the process of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. WAR also has a resource library for patients and runs English and Spanish-language Support Groups.
Community Programs
WAR reaches out to the underserved communities of northern Manhattan by publishing a Spanish-language newsletter with information on breast health and local clinic locations and through Spanish-language individual support for breast cancer patients. WAR also sponsors Free Screening Days where uninsured women from the surrounding communities receive mammograms and other screenings free of charge.
How can you get involved?
Attend an Event- Attend our annual symposium, art exhibit or other events.
Volunteer- Help out at our symposium or a free screening day, or volunteer in the office.
Help WAR fund its programs and services
- Register on One Cause (www.onecause.com), Choose “Women At Risk” as your cause, and participating retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Target, Amazon, Dell, and hundreds more will donate a percentage of your purchases to WAR.
- Own a business? Host an “October Promotion” for WAR during Breast-Cancer Awareness Month
- Make a tax-deductible contribution.
Sign up to join our mailing list to receive the latest updates on WAR activities and events!
For more info, visit www.womenatrisknyc.org or www.womenatrisknyc.blogspot.com.
To contact us, call (212) 305-9525 or send inquiries to info@womenatrisknyc.org.
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