Monmouth Medical Center 'Rolls Out the Ribbons' for Cancer Awareness

By Christopher Sheldon

A new Monmouth Medical Center cancer awareness campaign was introduced in Long Branch on Thursday.

Roll Out the Ribbons is designed to bring surrounding communities together to fight all different types of cancer. It began today when hospital and public officials along with cancer survivors tied multi-colored ribbons along the railing of the boardwalk promenade.

"It almost seems like there is competition for research for different types of cancer," Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider said during the event. "Here is something that says cancer victims don't care what type of cancer it is, it still needs awareness and research."

The "Promenade of Hope" is a half-mile stretch of railing along the boardwalk that begins at the Great Lawn and ends just south of Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park.

Monmouth Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Frank Vozos said people can personalize the ribbons tied on the railing and they will remain there until Labor Day.

"As we fill the promenade with ribbons throughout the summer, we will create a beautiful visual reminder of the fight against cancer and the need to support those facing a cancer diagnosis or grieving the loss of a loved one to the disease," Vozos said. 

The ribbons are lavender, the color of awareness of all cancers, and have colored stripes representing the most common types of cancer; thyroid, prostate, pancreatic, bladder, breast, colorectal, endometrial, kidney, leukemia, lung, melanoma and lymphoma.

Those who wish to submit a ribbon can do so for free atwww.rollouttheribbons.com. There is also an option to donate funds to the Leon Hess Cancer Center and the Valerie Fund Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Monmouth Medical Center.

McLoone's Restaurants Owner Tim McLoone said his employees will be "dedicating themselves" to the Valerie Fund. McLoone said he has been a supporter ever since taking his son, Jack, to the center when he was diagnosed with cancer as a nine-year-old. He said the treatment his son received there helped him beat the cancer.

"He was diagnosed when he was nine, and he's about to turn 16," McLoone said.