Fight Breast Cancer, Walk on LI2Day and Help South Nassau

South Nassau Communities Hospital has been named a beneficiary of the 2015 LI2DAY Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. This is the eighth consecutive year that South Nassau has been named a beneficiary of LI2DAY, which is celebrating its 12th Anniversary this year.

All of the funds raised by LI2DAY walk are donated directly back to Long Island community-based organizations. LI2DAY has donated a total of $203,400 during the last eight years to South Nassau in support of its breast cancer screening, early detection/diagnosis, and follow-up treatment program for underserved and minority patients. Since its inception, LI2DAY has raised nearly $6 million in support of local cancer organizations, research facilities and educational scholarships. In 2014, LI2Day expanded its mission to raise awareness and funds for other cancers in addition to Breast Cancer.

To be held Saturday, June 13, LI2DAY features a half-marathon distance walk. Participant check in, breakfast and the Opening Ceremony will be held as in the past in the DARE area at Smiths Point. At 7:45AM, participants will begin their journey on a route that overlooks Smith Point Beach and then through the local neighborhood for 13.1 miles. Participants will then have a wonderful lunch and be treated to the luxuries of massage therapists, podiatrists, Yoga, Serenity Tent and live entertainment.

“Early detection and education is the key to saving lives,” said South Nassau’s Rajiv Datta, Chairman of the Department of Surgery. “We’ve made great strides in treating breast cancer but more needs to be done. By joining the LI2 Day walk, you will be helping South Nassau in our efforts to combat this disease.”

After the break, participants will exit the Smiths Point Marina with the pipe and drum ensemble, then cross over the bridge in the final procession to the DARE area for the Closing Ceremony and celebration of survivors. Participant safety is of the utmost priority, so arrangements have been made for continuous support from the Suffolk County Police Department, a qualified medical team, and local ambulance personnel. Individuals or groups interested in walking, fundraising or donating in support of Team South Nassau and LI2DAY should call Nelvie Howard in South Nassau’s development department, at (516) 377-5360.

Volunteers and sponsors as well as interested walkers can register or learn more about information sessions, training sessions and registration online by going to www.li2daywalk.org or by calling (631)-863-2329.

South Nassau is the only hospital on Long Island to win three major awards for quality in recent months, including for nursing excellence, and top rankings from U.S. News & World Report and from the Joint Commission. In addition, it is one of just 559 hospitals in the country to be awarded the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Target: Stroke Honor Roll-Elite Quality Achievement Award, and it is also a recipient of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Foundation Get With The Guidelines®–Heart Failure Silver-Plus Quality Achievement Award.

Long Island 2 Day Breast Cancer Walk Since its inception, LI2DAY has raised nearly $6 million from the annual walk. LI2Day was organized to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer and other cancer research, to benefit cancer sufferers, survivors, and their families, and to support organizations that are participating in such efforts. LI2DAY helps fund programs that assist with medical expenses, transportation, prosthetics and wigs, physical therapy, child care and more. LI2DAY will continue to raise awareness and much needed funds for the women and men in our community who are fighting breast and other women’s cancers right now - emotionally, physically and financially. For more information, visit www.li2daywalk.org or call 631- 863- 2DAY (2329).