Maybe it is just me, but
the time really seems to be going by so quickly! We are already into the third month of the
New Year, the end of the second quarter of our fiscal year, and this past
Wednesday was 31 years since my daughter, Teddi, the inspiration for Camp Good
Days, lost her battle to cancer. I
continue to be amazed and honored everyday by the overwhelming legacy she has
left and how much one little girl has impacted the lives of so many children,
families, volunteers, and supporters – most of whom never had the opportunity
to know her.
When Teddi passed away, I
believed that there would no longer be the need for Camp Good Days some 31
years later, as I was sure that we would have found the answers to cancer by
now, but that is unfortunately not the case.
In an effort to address the fact that we have still not found the
answers, we established CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE
DECADE (www.cancermission2020.com). Through CANCER MISSION 2020, we have made
some real progress, through Congressional District Cancer Summits, CANCER
MISSION 2020 Petition Drives, and I am excited to share that Congressman Tom
Reed is in the process of re-introducing CANCER MISSION 2020 Legislation into
the House of Representatives.
As many of you know, it
was also through our work with CANCER MISSION 2020 that we learned that cancer
is now the leading cause of death, here in Monroe County and last September, I,
along with Dr. Byron Kennedy, Deputy Director of the Monroe County Department
of Public Health presented the Action Plan to Reduce the Burden of Cancer in
Monroe County, to Monroe County Executive, Maggie Brooks and more than 100
government, business, medical, and community leaders. In November 2012, we focused on lung cancer,
the number one cancer killer in Monroe County and this month we are focusing on
colorectal cancer, the second leading cancer killer in our community.
At a Press Conference held
this morning, which is National Dress in Blue Day, at the TOPS Market on Winton
Road, I joined local community leaders, Dr. Byron Kennedy, Deputy Director,
Monroe County Department of Public Health; Matthew Flanigan, Regional Vice
President, American Cancer Society; Candice Lucas, URMC Center for Community
Health; Jeff Adair, President of the Monroe County Legislature; and Dana
Miller, Vice President, Rochester City Council, to remind residents of Monroe
County and the Greater Rochester area that March is National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month.
Deaths from colorectal
cancer can be prevented through screening.
When colorectal cancer is diagnosed
early, at the localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 90%. In some
cases colorectal cancer can be prevented when precancerous polyps are removed
during colonoscopies.
There are several
different screening tests that can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer.
Each one can be used alone; sometimes they are used in combination. People
should talk with their doctor about which test(s) is right for them and how
often they should be tested. For those of average risk, screening tests usually
begin at age 50.
Screening tests that can
detect cancer and polyps include a colonoscopy; the flexible sigmoidoscopy; the
virtual colonoscopy; and the double-contrast barium enema. There are also screening tests that are less
invasive, and may indicate cancer.The
fecal immunochemical test (FIT), also called an immunochemical fecal occult
blood test (iFOBT), is a newer kind of stool test that also detects occult
(hidden) blood in the stool. This detection is important because it can be a
sign of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. In
addition to screening tests, some ways in which people can help to reduce their
risk of colorectal cancer include: regular screening after 50 years of
age; eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and
whole grain foods; limiting the intake of high-fat foods, including red and
processed meats; limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco
use; being physically active with at least 30 minutes of exercise on four or
more days of the week; maintaining a healthy weight; and knowing your family's
cancer history.
There are a variety of
activities taking place throughout the month, as part of National Colorectal
Cancer Awareness Month.
As part of CANCER MISSION
2020 we will host three CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drives at the local
Department of Motor Vehicle locations.
The CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drives will take place on Tuesday,
March 5, 2013 from 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM at the Greece Branch of DMV, located at
Greece Ridge Center Mall (Entrance 2); on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 12:30
PM – 4:30 PM at the Irondequoit Branch of DMV, located in Titus Mall, 545 Titus
Avenue; and on Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM at the Henrietta
Branch of DMV, located in Suburban Plaza, 2199 East Henrietta Road. Department
of Motor Vehicle customers and the general public are invited to stop by and
sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition.
People may also sign the
CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition online at www.cancermission2020.com and
download hard copies of the petition as well.
Jeff Calkins, General
Manager of the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial has generously made a
display case in the main lobby available for us to share information about the
burden of cancer in Monroe County and National Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Month with local sporting and other special event attendees.
In recognition of National
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Services Program of Monroe County
will be in four TOPS Markets locations, 450 West Avenue, 2345 Buffalo Road,
1900 S. Clinton Avenue, and 1100 Jefferson Road, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
to give out FIT kits to those who are uninsured, as well as to share
information with those who do have insurance.
TOPS Markets will have information available for customers throughout
the month of March. The Cancer Services
Program is also conducting an extensive media campaign this month to generate
awareness and share information about colorectal cancer.
Please take some time this
month to do what you can to help reduce your chances and the chances of those
you love and care about from being diagnosed with colorectal cancer and take a
moment to visit the CANCER MISSION 2020 website, www.cancermission2020.com – you’ll
find some exciting changes – sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition and join us
in this important effort to find the answers that have been alluding us.
As I mentioned a couple of
weeks ago, next Friday, March 8, 2013, we will host A Night of Gratitude, at
the Rochester Plaza Hotel in Downtown Rochester, during which we will recognize
the 2012 Teddi Award Winners and Ring of Honor Inductees.
The Ring of Honor was
established as part of Camp Good Days’ 25th Anniversary Celebration
in 2004 and includes those who are selected for their outstanding dedication,
commitment and support of the thousands of children and families served over
the years. In addition to their award, inductee’s names will be included in the
permanent Ring of Honor display, which is located at the Camp Good Days’
Recreational Facility, in Branchport, NY, for all to see. The inductees for the Ring of Honor, being
recognized at A Night of Gratitude
are: Katie Bess; Maggie Brooks; Nancy Chestnut; Brian Cuvelier & Family;
Monroe County District Attorney’s Office; Peter Formicola (posthumously); Aimee
Gasparre; Rob & Tina Harter; Jerry Romanowski; Louise Slaughter; St. John
Fisher College Football; Mark Soule; Walden Galleria Mall; Scott Vallow; Jayne
Van Zile; Chris Van Zile-Stabins; and University of Rochester Football
The Teddi Award is one of
the highest honors bestowed by Camp Good Days to those who have gone above and
beyond within the past year, in helping to fulfill the mission of improving the
quality of life for children, adults, and families whose lives have been
touched by cancer and other life challenges.
The recipients of the Teddi Award are: Eliana Blatt; Travis Butchello;
Campground Owners of New York; Canisius College Women’s Basketball; Annmarie
Charo; Jerrod Church; Patrick & Suzanne Crough; Steve & Patty
DiGennaro; Louie Donato; Joe Donato; Tony Donato; East Amherst Dental; Matt
Elkins; Mark Gestring, MD; Otto Harnischfeger; Dave Henderson; Justin Jerzak;
Lauren Keeler; Dave Petrie; Pittsford Dairy; Walter Sanders; Nikki Sepielli;
Beth Shope; St. Luke’s Cookie Baking Ladies; and Vogue Salon & Day Spa.
We hope that you will help
us in honoring and thanking all of our award recipients. Tickets are still available for $30.00 per
person and may be purchased by contacting Laura Osborn, here at the Camp Good
Days’ Headquarters, 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135, or via email, losborn@campgooddays.org. You can also purchase tickets online, at www.campgooddays.org.
Wishing everyone a safe
and happy weekend and with our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation, we wish
the very best to the students at Lansing High School in Ithaca who are hosting
their Night of Life event this evening, and to all of the students at
Fayetteville-Manlius who will dance the day and night away on Saturday, for the
Fayetteville-Manlius Dance Marathon!
