Breast Cancer Awareness Month Kicks Off in Somerset County, Oct. 6

By Somerset County:

will join Zufall Health in Somerville (formerly Women’s Health & Counseling Center), and the Regional Chronic Disease Coalition of Somerset and Morris Counties (RCDC) in kicking off the 12th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday Oct. 6, at Noon.

Somerset County Freeholder Deputy Director Patricia L. Walsh

The kickoff will take place on the steps of the historic courthouse on East Main Street, near the corner of Main and Grove streets. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the lobby of the Somerset County Administration Building at 20 Grove St., across the street.

The public is invited to attend and to join in wearing pink clothing or accessories in recognition of people affected by breast cancer. The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. Visitors to Somerville will see pink bows adorning Main Street, throughout the month of October, which will be placed by dedicated volunteers from partner organizations and breast cancer survivors.

Zufall Health Chief Operating Officer Fran Palm will officiate. Freeholder Walsh will present a proclamation recognizing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will offer brief remarks.

Also, Dr. Kathleen Toomey of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset will speak about the importance of early detection and the latest improvements in treatment. Dr. Toomey is a board certified hematologist and oncologist.

Several members of the RCDC of Somerset and Morris counties will be available to talk with participants and provide literature and valuable resources.

“The goal of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to stress the importance of early detection and screenings and inform the public about the many resources and services available to residents of Somerset County,” said Freeholder Walsh.

“On the national level, the number of deaths attributed to breast cancer continues to decrease. However, in Somerset County, the incidence rate for female breast cancer is higher than on the national level” she said.

“We all probably know someone who has had breast cancer and most likely know someone who will have it in the future. That is why we need to spread the word that early detection saves lives and that resources are available so no family has to suffer the loss of a loved one because they waited too long to be screened.”

Refreshments will follow the ceremony. RVSP by Oct. 5 by calling RCDC Public Health Coordinator Lucille Y-Talbot at (908) 203-6077 or emailing ytalbot@co.somerset.nj.us.

Zufall Health, a community-based nonprofit, is celebrating 25 years of providing access to high quality, professional medical and dental services to the working poor and uninsured. For more information about the wide range of services and educational programs, visit www.zufallhealth.org.

The 2015 breast cancer awareness event is sponsored by Zufall Health, the New Jersey Cancer Education & Early Detection (CEED) program, the RCDC of Somerset and Morris Counties and partners.

The RCDC and NJCEED programs are made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Cancer Control and Prevention to the Somerset County Public Health & Safety Department and Zufall Health, respectively.

For more information and a listing of programs throughout the counties, to join the Coalition or learn more about available educational and screening resources, contact RCDC Public Health Coordinator Lucille Y-Talbot at (908) 203-6077 or ytalbot@co.somerset.nj.us.

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