Organizers of the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline say they may have to close its operation if Gov. David Paterson gets the budget cuts he wants.

As part of Paterson?s proposed budget for 2009, the hotline would be denied the $300,000 from the state it usually gets, according to program director Hillary Rutter. The hotline provides support and information for those who have breast cancer. It gets about 3,000 phone calls a year, many from Long Island, and provides other support services.

?I am absolutely shocked,? Rutter says of the proposed cuts. ?I never, never thought that the state of New York, the governor of New York would say women with breast cancer aren't important and take away our funding.?

Rutter has started flooding the governor's office with e-mails and phone calls to save the program. Others say they?re also devoted to save the program.

Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program 1-800-877-8077