The Brockport Breast Cancer Support Group (BBCSG) honored founding member Irma Pylyshenko at the group's May meeting, which took place in Lakeside Memorial Hospital's Board Conference Room, Brockport. Pylyshenko, a breast cancer survivor, started the BBCSG in October 2000 to provide support to area women. The group meets in Brockport, saving west side cancer patients the drive into Rochester for much-needed emotional and educational support while dealing with diagnosis and treatment of the disease, and maintenance of restored wellness. The group, which meets the first Thursday of each month, began with a handful of members and has grown over the years, currently providing support to more than 30 women. The group is supported by the American Cancer Society, Rochester, NY, Chapter, and offers opportunities for members to hear guest speakers discuss new diagnostic and treatment options, share personal stories and receive the support of others who have experienced breast cancer. "What I have noticed over the period of time that the group has been meeting, is that the individual members have grown and continue to grow. When Irma started the Brockport Breast Cancer Support Group, the new members learned what I already knew, that is, Irma is one of the most capable, dedicated and caring people I know. She is still the backbone of our group, which is known to be one of the most active in Western New York," said Hannelore (Hanny) Heyen, one of the group's founding members. "These women have become empowered. We built friendships, and old and new members alike felt they were not alone as they faced their situations. Whether our initial meeting was at the Concordia Lutheran Church (6601 Brockport-Spencerport Road) or most recently at the Lakeside Memorial Hospital, Irma would bring a tablecloth and some appetizers - usually healthy. So, before letting her relinquish her presidency to Anne Klein, I wanted her to promise to bring some of her homemade German strudel to future meetings," said Heyen. Pylyshenko lives in Irondequoit with her husband, Wolodymyr, (Myrko). The Pylyshenkos, who emigrated to the US - Irma from Germany and Myrko from Ukraine - are emeriti of SUNY College at Brockport. Irma, assistant professor of dance emerita, taught at the college from 1965 to 1998. Myrko, associate professor of art emeritus, taught at Brockport from 1964 to 2000. They have two children, Katia and Orissa, and two grandchildren. June 10, 2007 |
