Surrounded by officials and cancer advocates from across Long Island, activist Geri Barish, founding member of 1 in 9 and executive director of the cancer resource center Hewlett House, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Suffolk OTB.
“When my son, Michael, was diagnosed with cancer, he looked me in the eyes and asked,’What did l do wrong, Mom?’” Barish told a large crowd of supporters. “From then on, l declared war on cancer, and l promised him I would find out why this happened to him.”
The Baldwin resident, a five-time cancer survivor herself, dedicated her life to finding a cure and advocating for her 13-year-old son, who lost his battle with the disease at 25 while waiting for a double lung and heart transplant.
“We went to Washington, and the surgeon general turned us down for funding research on Long Island, so I said we would go to Congress,” Barish told the story. “He said he didn’t want the politicians in his test tubes, but we got the funding anyway, thanks to Senator Al D’Amato and Congressman Peter King.”
Through her efforts, a cancer map was created for Nassau and Suffolk, a study that found one-in-nine residents were affected by the disease. Focus was made to find genetic causes, and groundbreaking strides were made at the Cold Spring Laboratory, Barish noted.
“We’re honored to be presenting this award to Geri Barish, a cancer fighter who has done so much for so many,” said Phil Boyle, president and CEO of the Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation, which issues the achievement award annually. “We thank her and all of the groups and volunteers who help with this cause.”
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“She really helps not just those who are affected but also their families,” said legislator Nick Caracappa at the ceremony. “I lost an aunt to cancer; everyone here on Long Island has lost someone. Geri Barish is really doing God’s work.”
“She is a fierce warrior in the battle against cancer,” said Suffolk Comptroller John Kennedy, who attended the event with his wife, Legislator Leslie Kennedy. “The cancer survival rate is much better for women and men thanks to her,” the legislator said. “She’s fabulous.”
Other attendees included legislators Trish Bergin, Manuel Esteban, Dominick Thorne, and Steve Flotteron, and Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby.
For more information or to make a donation to the cause, visit: www.hewlett-House.org. Services provided by her organization come at no cost.