September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Jefferson hopes to "Turn the Town Teal" as Mayor Russell Felter presented a proclamation declaring September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month at last week's council meeting.

Ovarian Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women, and it is known as “the silent disease” as its symptoms are often vague and go unnoticed or are misdiagnosed. More than 22,000 women are diagnosed each year and 16,000 die.

Turn The Town Teal is the local 2011 campaign going on in the township. Look for a sea of teal ribbons on trees, mailboxes, doorknobs and signs.

Residents can get ribbons and urge sisters, daughters, wives, mothers and girlfriends to become educated. Ribbons and information are available from the following: the Municipal Building, Kristine Wilsusen (973-663-0596) or Debi Merz, township coordinator (973-697-4372).

What follows is the proclamation that Felter read at the council meeting: 

PROCLAMATION

 WHEREAS,  There is NO early detection test for ovarian cancer, and

 WHEREAS, Ovarian cancer is called the “silent disease” because its symptoms are often vague or subtle; and

WHEREAS, Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women and the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths in the United States; Each year, more than 22,000 women are diagnosed with the disease and approximately 16,000 die from it; and

WHEREAS,  If detected in its early stages, survival from ovarian cancer is 90-95 percent. Yet the five-year survival rate for the disease is only 28 percent, because it is so difficult to detect early; and

WHEREAS,  The Turn The Towns Teal® campaign was launched by Gail MacNeil, of Chatham, NJ during her 10 year battle ovarian cancer.

WHEREAS,  Turn The Towns Teal ® Inc. and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) are partnering to promote awareness of ovarian cancer through the Turn The Towns Teal campaign.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of Jefferson Township  declare September as Ovarian cancer Awareness month and support the Turn The Towns Teal® awareness campaign.