SERINO TEAMS UP WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST ‘BREAST CANCER AWARENESS DAY AT THE WALKWAY’

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Senator Sue Serino recently partnered with the Walkway Over the Hudson to host ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Walkway’ in an effort to connect community members with local organizations who provide health and support services. This event was held at the new East Gate Plaza of the Walkway Over the Hudson in an effort to help meet people where they are and to highlight different local resources available for individuals and families who may be impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis.

“We are all busy, and it is easy to put our health and screenings on the back burner,” said Senator Sue Serino. “That is why we wanted to bring this event directly to the community and meet our neighbors where they are while they are enjoying one of our great local attractions and hopefully inspire others to take the time to put their health first. I cannot thank the Walkway Over the Hudson enough for partnering with us to host this event, and all of the participating organizations who were able to share more about the critical work they are doing all across our community. The Hudson Valley is home to so many incredible resources and services, and I am thrilled that we were able to connect our neighbors with them while raising awareness for the proactive steps we can all take to benefit our health.”

 Hudson Valley residents who were visiting the Walkway Over the Hudson were able to stop to talk with various community health professionals and support services, and learn more about prevention measures and the importance of receiving annual healthcare screenings. Organizations in attendance included:

●      American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Real Men Wear Pink;

●      CareMount Medical;

●      MidHudson Regional Hospital, a member of WMC Health;

●      Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation;

●      New York State Cancer Services Program; and

●      Sparrow’s Nest of the Hudson Valley.

Elizabeth Waldstein, Executive Director of the Walkway Over the Hudson said, “It was wonderful to have the Walkway Over the Hudson live up to its name of the ‘Great Connector’ and host fellow non profits who are bringing awareness to the prevention and cure for breast cancer. Thanks to Senator Sue Serino for drawing needed attention to this worthwhile cause.”

Pari Farood, Executive Director of Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation said, “It was an honor and pleasure to be with Senator Serino at her breast cancer awareness event on Saturday. Bringing attention to preventive services like mammograms is what October is all about. Thank you Sue for this important public service."

Kristi Greco, Senior Community Development Manager for the American Cancer Society Northeast Region said, “Breast Cancer hasn’t stopped and neither has the American Cancer Society. An estimated 284,200 people in the US will be diagnosed in 2021 and 44,130 people in the US will die from breast cancer in 2021. We encourage everybody to get screened and reduce the risk of getting breast cancer like moving regularly with physical activity, controlling your weight and reducing alcohol consumption. If you have family history of cancer in your family share it with your healthcare provider. To get more information visit our www.cancer.org”

Kara Pinaud, Director of the Cancer Services Program of the Hudson Valley said, “It was a privilege to spend this past Saturday with Senator Sue Serino at her breast cancer awareness event. The Cancer Services Program of the Hudson Valley was pleased to promote the importance of mammograms and early detection. Due to Covid-19, many women have delayed their mammograms.  It’s time now to get back on track with regular screenings.  We encourage all women, ages 40 and older, to speak with their health care provider about scheduling their next mammogram.”

 The NYS Cancer Services Program provides breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services at NO COST to women and men who:

·Live in New York State

·Do not have health insurance

·Have health insurance with a cost share that may prevent a person from obtaining screening and/or diagnostic services

·Meet income eligibility requirements

·Meet age requirements

To learn more about the Cancer Services Program, please click here.

Individuals who attended were also encouraged to #MakeTheAppointment, an ongoing initiative by Senator Serino motivating others to make their health a priority by committing to making—and keeping—their own critical health screening appointments. To learn more, or to sign the pledge, click here.

To learn more about the services and resources offered across the Hudson Valley, please call Senator Serino’s Hyde Park Office at 845-229-0106 or email serino@nysenate.gov.

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