Stony Brook woman has made care packages for hundreds with breast cancer

A Stony Brook breast cancer survivor has provided comfort to hundreds of women navigating their own diagnoses.

Maria McMullen, 58, was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer after noticing a lump in her chest in 2014, followed by nearly a year of treatment during which she fought multiple infections before later being declared cancer-free.

Four years later, McMullen launched the nonprofit Positively Pink, which has provided post-mastectomy care packages — including items such as pajamas, pillows and puzzles — to more than 500 women diagnosed with breast cancer, reaching as far as Arizona. McMullen has also begun creating care packages specifically for those undergoing chemotherapy that contain items like lozenges and liquid antacid, she said.

“When you have breast cancer, nobody really knows what you need unless you went through it,” said McMullen, a retired elementary school teacher who spent 33 years in the Middle Country Central School District. “So, I started writing down little things that helped me and made me feel good.”

McMullen founded Positively Pink after discussing the idea with several mothers she met at her son’s lacrosse games while he attended Ward Melville High School in East Setauket. Those women — Eileen Davenport, Denise Garcia, Lisa Flynn and Lisa Joy — continue to help with tasks from assembling care packages to assisting with fundraising, which last year netted about $50,000, McMullen said.

The free care packages are delivered to facilities including the Stony Brook Cancer Center. McMullen has also shipped packages to people nationwide who have reached out through her website, positivelypink.org.

In addition, McMullen designates about $5,000 annually to a scholarship for children affected by cancer and has started a support group for breast cancer survivors that held its first meeting this month.

“I want them to know someone out there cares about them and knows what they’re going through,” McMullen said.

One recipient who found comfort in McMullen’s efforts is Christi Murphy, of Coram, who is now cancer-free after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. She received a care package as soon as her treatment began and said McMullen even reached out daily with emotional support.

“At a time when you’re overwhelmed trying to figure everything out, the care package had a lot of things I needed,” Murphy said. “Maria showed me she was there, she knew what I was going through, and each item was a small gesture of care that meant so much.”

McMullen was recognized in March as a Woman of Distinction by Legis. Steven Englebright (D-Setauket).

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.