• Ellen Hermanson Foundation

    Saving lives through education, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer

    Over the past 30 years, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation has granted over $6 million to fund life-saving and life-affirming initiatives.

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  • Ellen Hermanson Foundation Community Partner Program

    Supporting the medically underserved through The Ellen Hermanson Community Partnership Program

    Each member—Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center, Organizacion Latino Americana (OLA), The Retreat, and Shinnecock Indian Health Center—receives grants to provide education about early detection and access to free mammography and treatment for their constituents.

    Support

  • Providing access to state-of-the-art breast care begins with your support

    1-8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Your support funds education, access to mammography, life-saving treatment, and pschosocial support services.

    Donate Today

Celebrating 30 Years
Building a Legacy in Women’s Health

Providing grants to support unparalleled medical services and programs to the most vulnerable populations on The East End

Every dollar raised from our fundraising initiatives, including our signature events–Ellen’s Run and The Summer Gala–stays local, supporting grants to The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center, Ellen’s Well, and our Community Partnership Program. No one is turned away from The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center for lack of insurance or inability to pay.

On behalf of the women and families whose lives have been touched and saved, we wish to express our heartfelt thanks. Our friends, donors, volunteers, and participants are the heart of The Ellen Hermanson Foundation. Your generosity of time, talent, and treasure made both our 30th Anniversary Summer Gala and the 30th Annual Ellen’s Run the most successful in our history.

From the very beginning, we have stood by the belief that healthcare is a human right. Over the past 30 years, the Foundation has transformed breast health care on the East End—funding state-of-the-art medical equipment, providing breast cancer screenings and psychosocial services at The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, and supporting our Community Partners who serve medically underserved women.

Your commitment during this milestone year ensures that no one is ever turned away from the Breast Center due to lack of insurance or ability to pay. Thank you for opening your hearts and fueling lifesaving care.

As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, be on the lookout for our specially wrapped pink Hampton Jitney! Snap a photo and share it with us when you spot it.

Thank you for standing (and running) with us every step of the way. TOGETHER WE GO FURTHER!

News & Events

  • Ellen's Run August 17

    30th Annual Ellen's Run August 17th

    View Photos

  • October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    Be On The Lookout For Our New 2025 Pink Jitney

  • 30th Anniversary Summer Gala July 26th

    View Photos

The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center

Center of Excellence Year-after-Year

The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center is honored to be recognized as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Providing services in Southampton and East Hampton, The Center is equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic technologies, including computer-assisted mammography, ultrasound, and a breast biopsy system for locating abnormalities and obtaining tissue samples.

Dr. Edna Kapenhas, MD
The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital

“Under the leadership of Medical Director Dr. Edna Kapenhas, The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center is committed to provide the most advanced technology available in a community hospital setting,” said Julie Ratner, Ed.D., Co-founder and Board Chair of The Ellen Hermanson Foundation. “My sister Ellen would be proud that The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center has earned the ranking of Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by The American College of Radiology. Our sister Emily Levin, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation co-founder who recently passed away, would be pleased to see that we are still funding top-notch technology that benefits everyone, especially by expanding our reach into the community to ensure that no one falls through the cracks.” (2022)

Empowering Patients Through Comprehensive Psycho-Social Support

Ellen's Well is dedicated to delivering exceptional psycho-social support to its clients through crisis intervention counseling, group support, and long-term referral services for those whose needs exceed group counseling. The organization also offers specially designed programs that promote and enhance overall wellness.

Edyle O’Brien, LCSW

For many years, Edyle O’Brien, LCSW, has been at the heart of Ellen’s Well, serving as the Oncological Social Worker and providing compassionate care, guidance, and support to countless individuals and families facing breast cancer.

Through her leadership, Edyle has ensured that Ellen’s Well remained a safe and supportive space—delivering crisis intervention counseling, group support, and long-term referrals, while also creating programs that nurtured overall wellness. Her dedication has touched lives across our community, and her work will leave a lasting impact for years to come.

On behalf of the Ellen Hermanson Foundation and all those who have benefited from her care, we extend our deepest gratitude to Edyle for her years of service, her wisdom, and her unwavering commitment to the women and families of the East End.

Her compassion and expertise will always be a part of Ellen’s Well.

Thank You, Edyle O’Brien, LCSW

The Ellen Hermanson Community Partnership Program

Commitment to Advanced Care and Outreach

The Ellen Hermanson Community Partnerships represent medically underserved populations. Member organizations–Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreational Center, OLA (Organizacion Latino Americana), The Retreat, and the Shinnecock Indian Health Clinic–receive grants from the Foundation to provide educational outreach about the importance of early detection, and access to free mammography and treatment for their constituents. 

Transforming Lives

  • "I'm not sure there are sufficient words in my vocabulary to express my appreciation. I was embraced by wonderful staff at the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center, which was so important during an extremely stressful time. I will never forget them, and there is no way I can adequately thank them."

    KM

  • "Dear Dr. Kapenhas and all of you at the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center, Thank you each and all for your care, compassion and gentle kindness. You are indeed a blessing."

    N.W.

  • "Thank you for your guidance and support throughout my cancer journey. I appreciate so much that your organization exists. Thank you , especially, for reaching out to me by phone when you knew I was unable to attend a meeting. Thank you and bless you for the wonderful things that you do."

    KG

  • "From the moment I entered your facility, I was being cared for by the most competent and professional people in every area. I cannot help but think that my swift recovery is due in part to the good care, and I am forever in your debt."

    SJ

Mark 30 Years With Us Join Ellen's Circle

Our new monthly giving program providing support for lifesaving mammograms and essentials of daily living for underserved women on the East End.