As the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program celebrates its 40th anniversary, new leadership is at the helm. Reyna Machado of Garden City, who was previously the assistant director, is now executive director. Moving into the assistant director position is Angela Papalia of Selden, who has been with the program for 13 years, working as a social worker. Both Machado and Papalia are bilingual.
Machado is motivated by her vision that the program support all New Yorkers in advocating for themselves and others in the breast cancer community.
“Our program has a rich history of advocating on behalf of and empowering breast cancer patients while promoting health and increased access to healthcare services. I am honored to serve as the new executive director and to continue to grow and expand the reach of our social work and public health services which are critical to the community here on Long Island and across New York State,” Machado said.
This is a particularly special year for the program as it celebrates its 40th anniversary, with a theme of “40 Years Strong: Changing Lives Together.”
During her time with the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline Program, Machado managed fiscal administration of grants and secured new funders for the program. In her new role, she assumes administrative oversight of program services including bilingual social work/patient navigation, community outreach, breast health education, monitoring and evaluation along with events, development, marketing and public relations.
Reyna Machado, a native Spanish speaker and New Yorker, brings two decades of experience in marketing and development, having worked at the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, HealthDay News and Georgetown University.
In her new role, Angela Papalia, a licensed master social worker with twenty years of experience, will oversee all clinical aspects of the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program. She will also support grant opportunities and fundraising efforts including the program’s participation in Adelphi University’s annual online Giving Day.
As a bilingual social worker, she has provided clinical counseling and support services to countless individuals and their families. She spearheaded the inception of the Nassau University Medical Center and Adelphi Breast Cancer Program collaboration, where the bilingual social workers offer weekly support services to breast cancer patients directly within the Breast and Oncology clinics at NUMC.
Papalia was also instrumental in creating Cafecito, a Spanish-language support group for breast cancer patients in Nassau County and co-facilitates the group twice monthly. Her areas of clinical expertise include patient navigation, support, and advocacy to medically vulnerable and underserved communities.
In their new roles of leadership, both women look forward to expanding the services provided at the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program.
“It is truly a privilege to work with our dynamic team of both staff and volunteers. Our mission to ensure that no one has to go through breast cancer alone will continue, serving the diverse needs of our community,” Papalia said. “We are excited to be a part of this new chapter of the program’s history. Both Reyna and I are excited about the future.”
The Adelphi Breast Cancer Program is launching a fundraising campaign and special events to commemorate its 40th anniversary, hosting educational forums on sleep and planning for the future: advance directives and finances, as well as a fashion show at Lord and Taylor. Program activities will be punctuated by the annual Celebration of Survivorship in October.
Machado said, “there is tremendous enthusiasm from the team, volunteers and longtime supporters of the program as we move into a new decade of leadership and support for the breast cancer community.”
For more information about services and upcoming events, call the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline at 800.877.8077 or visit our website at https://breast-cancer.adelphi.edu/. All of the services and events are free and confidential. You are not alone.
Submitted by the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program
