Linda Bily (left), Patient Advocacy & Community Outreach Coordinator, received a perennial $1,500 gift to go toward the establishment of the Linda Bily Patient Advocacy Fund in recognition of her work on behalf of the Cancer Center’s patients and their families. The check was presented at the Annual National Cancer Survivor Day, which Bily founded 10 years ago.
The first National Cancer Survivor Day at Stony Brook was organized by Patient Advocacy & Community Outreach Coordinator Linda Bily, and this year’s 10th anniversary celebration recognized her pioneering spirit in a very special way: the inauguration of the Linda Bily Patient Advocacy Fund. The Cancer Center established this fund, endowing it with a perennial gift of $1,500 in honor of Linda and her remarkable work on behalf of the Center’s patients and their families. This fund is unique in that it is focused entirely and exclusively on the psychosocial support of Center patients and their families, and the funds will be directed by Linda, to have their maximum impact.
Dr. Hannun announced the Fund by highlighting its inspirational source: “As many of you know, it was Linda’s vision, tenacity and perseverance that led to the establishment of the Stony Brook Cancer Center Patient Advocacy Department. As a Stony Brook employee, and a breast cancer survivor herself, Linda realized that there is no way to care for the patient without caring for the whole patient. And from that insight went on to work tirelessly to increase the non-clinical support services for all cancer patients at the Center, which have blossomed into the supports we have today.” He invited all to participate in making Linda’s vision of patient-centered case a reality through action, deed and support of the Fund.
To make a gift to the Linda Bily Patient Advocacy fund, please contact Kate Kaming, Cancer Center Director of Development at (631) 444-2604.