The Ellen Hermanson Foundation Grants $335,000 to Expand Breast Cancer Care in the East End
East Hampton, NY — The Ellen Hermanson Foundation (TEHF) announced that it awarded $335,000 in grants for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Recipients include the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center, Organizacion Latino Americana of Eastern Long Island, Peconic Bay Medical Center Foundation, the Southampton Hospital Foundation and The Retreat.
Grant funding approved by the board supports the following 2026 programs:
The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital
Hologic Digital Tomosynthesis Mammography Unit funding
Emergency fund for Screenings and Diagnostic Procedures
Shinnecock Pink Shawl Project
Micro-grants for activities of daily living
Educational materials and instruction
Bridgehampton Child Care Recreational Center
Funding for a bilingual licensed clinical social worker and outreach worker
Micro-grants for social assistance for breast cancer patients
Underwriting for an educational community forum about breast cancer
OLA (Organización Latino-Americana) of Eastern Long Island
Funding for bilingual outreach
Micro-grants for social assistance for breast cancer patients
Peconic Bay Medical Center
Breast Cancer Patient Fund to support: cold caps for chemotherapy, bras/prosthetics and wigs, lymphedema compression sleeve and gloves
Physical or occupational therapy not covered by insurance
Patient Navigator funding to identify patients in need
The Retreat
Funding for bilingual outreach
Micro-grants for social assistance for breast cancer patients
Of special note is an inaugural $10,000 grant awarded to Susan H. Lee, MD, Chief of Breast Surgery at The Breast Program at the Peconic Bay Medical Center (PBMC) of Northwell Health. Dr. Lee leads the Breast Cancer Concierge Program, which provides hands-on support to potential or diagnosed breast cancer patients on Eastern Long Island. As TEHF enters its fourth decade of providing funding for breast cancer treatment and prevention services on the East End, this grant marks an exciting expansion to the North Fork and a new hospital system.
Julie Ratner Ed.D., Co-Founder and Chair of TEHF said, “The Breast Program at PBMC is a remarkable breast healthcare practice, and specifically the Breast Cancer Concierge Program personifies our mission of ensuring all women have access to the best breast healthcare. This grant expands our reach beyond the South Fork after 30 years of serving breast cancer patients in the East End, We could not have found a better partner than Dr. Lee.”
The Breast Cancer Concierge Program works with PBMC’s Breast Center Navigator to help women access support in every stage of care, even before diagnosis. Services include coordinating appointments across multiple specialties, connecting patients to services such as support groups and nutrition counseling, and support with transportation, childcare, utilities, and treatment-related costs.
About The Ellen Hermanson Foundation
For over 30 years, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation has transformed the medical landscape of the East End of Long Island, where breast cancer diagnosis and mortality are among the highest in New York State. As a grassroots organization dedicated to funding crucial breast cancer education, screening, and treatment services for women of all walks of life, the Foundation’s mission is to ensure accessible, high-quality breast health care for women facing barriers to breast health care, including the uninsured, the underinsured, and anyone seeking assistance following a breast cancer diagnosis. No one is turned away from the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center for lack of insurance or inability to pay for treatment.
For more information and/or interviews, please contact:
Mady J. Schuman
Executive Director
The Ellen Hermanson Foundation
mady.schuman@ellenhermanson.org
(631) 324-2802