DeFrancisco selects Beth Baldwin for Women of Distinction
Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C, Syracuse) announced that he has selected Elizabeth “Beth” Baldwin of Camillus, NY, as his 2018 New York State Senate Women of Distinction honoree.
Baldwin is a tireless community volunteer and advocate for breast cancer research, according to DeFrancisco.
Her mission is to help find a cure for breast cancer, while supporting those, and their loved ones, fighting the disease.
Baldwin has been actively involved in the search for a cure for breast cancer for 20 years. She is a devoted mother of six and the daughter of breast cancer survivor Carol Baldwin.
Born and raised on Long Island, she attended Alfred G.Berner High School in Massapequa, graduated from C.W. Post-Long Island University with a criminology degree, and served as a substitute teacher for many years.
Following her father’s passing, and a move to the Syracuse area, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990.
Looking to turn heartbreak into courage, she helped found the Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund with her mother in 1996, to support the breast cancer center that was named after her mom at Stony Brook University.
Then in 2001, Baldwin and her mother joined efforts with doctors at Upstate Medical University to create the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY, to raise funds in Central New York.
Both organizations support ongoing research in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer for the downstate and upstate communities they serve.
As executive director of the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY, Baldwin is dedicated to raising funds to provide research grants for breast cancer prevention and treatment.
To date, they have funded millions of dollars in grants.
Baldwin is also committed to providing emotional support for patients and their families.
She is often seen at local healthcare facilities, sitting with and supporting those who are waiting for Chemotherapy or other treatments.
She also runs a popular New York State Fair booth raising awareness about breast cancer research and treatments. Further, she continues to organize several local events to help raise funds for a cure.
In addition to this advocacy, Baldwin has volunteered in other ways, such as providing homeless individuals in the Syracuse area with food and clothing. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her several grandchildren.
“Beth Baldwin has demonstrated a true devotion to helping others in our community,” DeFrancisco said. “Through her compassion and contributions, she has touched the lives of many individuals and created positive change. I am proud to recognize her as my 2018 New York State Senate Women of Distinction honoree.”
The New York State Senate launched the “Women of Distinction” program in 1998 to recognize the many contributions of female New Yorkers. These women have enriched the lives of those around them, while inspiring others to become active within their communities.
This year’s ceremony was held on May 1 in Hearing Room B of the Legislative Office Building in Albany.
Each honoree was recognized at the ceremony, and her photograph and biography will be displayed in an exhibit proclaiming the special contributions of each NYS Senate Women of Distinction honoree.
