Ritchie to Partner with Oswego Health for 'Healthy You' Night

State Senator Patty Ritchie is once again teaming up with Oswego Health to host a special event highlighting the importance of protecting women’s health and specifically, the prevention and treatment of breast and ovarian cancers.

In past years, events hosted by Senator Ritchie and Oswego Health have focused solely on breast cancer. This year’s event has been expanded to include that vital information on ovarian cancer.

Made possible through special funding secured by Senator Ritchie, Oswego Health’s ‘Healthy You’ will include giveaways and educational information, including a panel of experts—five medical professionals—to answer questions on symptoms, screenings and treatments of breast and ovarian cancers. Also on the panel will be B-104.7 radio host Becky Palmer, a breast cancer survivor.

In addition to the panel discussion, the event will also provide an opportunity for Oswego County women—over the age of 40 who have not had a mammogram due to financial constraints or concerns—to sign up to receive a complimentary breast cancer screening. Those unable to attend the event can call Oswego Health’s Education Department at (315) 349-5513 to schedule an appointment.

“This year alone, some 300,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Ovarian cancer will invade 22,000 more. However, it does not have to be a death sentence. The earlier it is found, the better chance someone has to beat it,” said Senator Ritchie. ‘I am honored to partner with Oswego Health once again and am hoping that women across Central New York are able to attend our ‘Healthy You’ event and take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to protect their health.”

“We are expanding our event this year to bring awareness not only to breast cancer, but also to ovarian cancer. On our panel, we’ve added a speaker on ovarian cancer and a well-known Syracuse radio personality, Becky Palmer, a breast cancer survivor,” Oswego Hospital Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer Allison Duggan, M.D. said. “This evening will be fun, informative and impactful and I thank Senator Ritchie for her support.”

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Fifth on that list is ovarian cancer. One in 75 women will eventually face that battle. The funding provided by Senator Ritchie will allow women across Oswego County to take that critical step to protect their health.

‘Healthy You’ will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17th, at GS Steamers—located at 70 East 1st Street in Oswego.