For much of her adult life, Carol M. Baldwin has been known as the mother of the world's most famous acting family. What is less known about Carol is her struggle with breast cancer which nearly took her life. Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. After undergoing a double mastectomy, she made it her mission to help other women overcome breast cancer.
In 1995, Carol became involved in a mapping study in West Islip, New York. At the age of 65, Carol was going door-to-door gathering information for the study. Her spunk and dedication to the cause did not go unnoticed. In 1996, SUNY Stony Brook on Long Island established The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Center. Carol was so honored that she and her family created the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, Inc. (CMBBCRF) to raise money and donate it to SUNY Stony Brook for research. The Fund has contributed $5 million since making this commitment and is still going strong. In 2009, the breast center became the first in the state of New York to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program of Breast Centers.
As we all know, cancer has no boundaries. As a resident of Camillus in Upstate New York, Carol became involved in the Onondaga Breast Cancer Mapping Project. This study provided critical information about the incidence and prevalence of breast cancer. Shortly thereafter she was approached by SUNY Upstate and asked to raise funds for local research. In 2001, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund of CNY was created. The mission of CMBBCRF of CNY is to raise money in Central New York and keep that money in CNY for research. Since its inception, CMBBCRF of CNY has raised over $1 million dollars.
At this time, new and established researchers at both SUNY Stony Brook and SUNY Upstate academic centers are investigating the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Carol M. Baldwin serves as Chairwoman of the Board, supervising all aspects of organizational growth for both the Upstate and Downstate boards. As a breast cancer survivor, she uses her experience to heighten understanding of this disease. She is a popular public speaker and is actively involved in strategic planning, continuing her crusade and raising funds to support research. Carol often appears on television and she has received many prestigious awards for her work with breast cancer research.
Carol’s family provides moral support and has joined in this effort by enthusiastically working with her on special fund raising events. Her children and their spouses are: Elizabeth Keuchler, Alec Baldwin, Daniel and Jo Baldwin, William Baldwin and Chynna Phillips, Jane and Randy Sasso and Stephen and Kennya Baldwin.
