Community Outreach Information

Witness Project^® of Long Island: 

The Stony Brook University Cancer Center sponsors The Witness Project® of Long Island, a culturally competent health education and outreach program to increase community awareness about breast cancer within Suffolk County's African American population.

The goal of the program is to encourage African American women over the age of 40 years, and younger women with a family history of breast cancer, to follow the screening guidelines of the American Cancer Society. These include obtaining annual clinical breast examinations and mammograms. Women are also encouraged to do monthly breast self-examinations. If problems or abnormalities are detected, an individual can be assisted by staff and volunteers of the program.

This local program uses the educational techniques of the Witness Project®, a successful program established in Little Rock, Arkansas, and now replicated nationwide in churches and community centers where African American women discuss their faith and triumphs against breast cancer.

The Witness Project^® has ongoing programs in other African American communities in more than 20 states. The Town of Babylon is the first community on Long Island to officially collaborate and participate in the Witness Project®. The Long Island program is expanding to other underserved communities in the eastern portion of Suffolk County.

Initial funding for The Witness Project^® of Long Island was provided by the Fashion Footwear Association of New York and the QVC Home Shopping Network. The Project has received additional funding from local foundations, individuals, and organizations.

To read about the Witness Project in the news click here.

For more information about The Witness Project^® of Long Island, and for information about volunteering for or hosting a Long Island program, contact:

Margaret Davis, Project Director, 631-638-4817  Margaret.Davis@stonybrook.edu  or
Nikki Stewart, Project Navigator  631-638-4816  Anika.Stewart@stonybrook.edu

Our Address:
14 Technology Drive, Suite 15, Stony Brook, NY 11794

Staff: Witness Project^® of Long Island

Margaret Davis, Project Director
Nikki Stewart, Project Navigator
Melody Goodman, PhD, Primary Investigator

Community Partners

The Town of Babylon

Constance Carter Davis, MSW, LCSW
Chair, Executive Board of the Witness Project® of Long Island

Judith F. Clarke, RN, MSN
Volunteer Team Leader, Town of Brookhaven

For additional information, please call the Cancer Center at 631-638-1000.