October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and this weekend on In Focus we open a conversation on the importance of early detection, support for those receiving treatment and raising funds to find a cure. 

JoDee Kenney was joined by Christina Thompson, executive director of The Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, to talk about the organization’s support for survivors and for women who are newly diagnosed. Thompson, who is a breast cancer survivor, herself, said the coalition can provide critical guidance to women beginning their treatment journey.

JoDee also sat down with Brenda Robinson, CEO and founder of The Black Nurses Coalition, who said there are disparities in breast cancer mortality rates for women of color. Robinson said in addition to working towards equitable health care options for all women, education and outreach is critical to closing this gap.

Finally, JoDee welcomed in Beth Baldwin, executive director of The Baldwin Fund, which recently committed to a $50 million campaign to establish an Upstate Cancer Institute in Syracuse. With the help of brothers Alec, Stephen, Daniel, and William, Baldwin said the fund has already contributed millions of dollars toward research that isolated a gene known to cause breast cancer.

You can watch those interviews in the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York on In Focus with JoDee Kenney every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.