To the Editor:

I was saddened to read in the media last week about the death of veteran journalist Cokie Roberts, and even more distressed to learn that the cause of her death was complications from breast cancer. Besides being a prolific journalist and a pioneer for women in the profession, Ms. Roberts also had a tie to the Princeton community. Her sister was Barbara Boggs Sigmund, founder of Womanspace and mayor of Princeton Borough from 1983 until her death in 1990. Sadly, Mayor Sigmund also died of complications from cancer.

With all that in mind and Breast Cancer Awareness Month fast approaching, I wanted to write to call attention to the great work of the Princeton YWCA’s Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC), located on Rosedale Road on the D&R Greenway Land Trust’s campus. The BCRC provides comprehensive resources and programming to those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, survivors, family members, caregivers, and “anyone in between.” Further, and most importantly for those with limited financial resources, BCRC programs are provided free of charge.

I have known the BCRC’s current director, Paula Flory, for 20 years — since I was a child. Paula’s boundless enthusiasm and energy, together with the tireless efforts of the rest of the dedicated and compassionate BCRC staff, have had a positive impact on thousands of people, and I know that they are constantly striving to do even more. The Princeton community is no doubt better thanks to their work helping those dealing with breast cancer and their loved ones. Unfortunately, as I learned from Paula when I once reached out to her to try and connect a friend with similar organizations elsewhere, places like the BCRC are few and far between. Indeed, Princeton is lucky to have such a formidable source of strength and such amazing people working against the scourge that is breast cancer.

If you would like to learn more about the BCRC, their upcoming events, and/or support their incredible work, I encourage you to visit their website: www.ywcaprinceton.org/programs/bcrc.

James S. Beslity
Washington, D.C.

The writer is a longtime former Princeton resident, and a graduate of Princeton High School.