October 14, 2016
Oneida County Goes Pink For Breast Cancer Awareness
October 17th Begins Cancer Screening Week In Oneida County
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Oneida County has a series of events throughout October to assist spreading the word about mammograms and encourage our employees, community, families, and individuals to get screened and spread awareness.
Oneida County events including awareness efforts like the Human Pink Ribbon at Murnane field and placing over 500 pink ribbons in County Office windows as well as lighting the Oneida County Office Building pink for the last week of October.
“Oneida County has proactively encouraged raising cancer awareness by engaging the community through educational efforts as well as offering 8 hours of paid leave for cancer screening for employees.” Said County Executive Anthony J. Picente “This year we have added our pink ribbon initiative and lighting of the County Building as well as raising $1305 for our Team Oneida County participation in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, with a dress down day.
In addition to awareness initiatives the County Health Department’s Cancer Services Program, covering Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties, holds Cancer Screening Week, beginning on October 17th. The Oneida County Health Department works with the imaging centers at the Mohawk Valley Health System, Rome Memorial Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, Mohawk Glen, Community Memorial Hospital and Oneida Healthcare to provide free screening mammograms to uninsured women. Additionally, Planned Parenthood provides breast exams and Pap/pelvic exams to uninsured women. These facilities each block off a chunk of time during the week to provide the service to Cancer Services Program’s clients. Each woman who gets a mammogram receives an informational packet and many of the facilities offer their own gifts and raffles for the women as well.
Picente said “Cancer Services here in Oneida County are a key component to delivering preventive health care to people in the region. Preventive health care is essential to a healthy community; it saves lives and reduces healthcare costs community wide.”
Director of Public Health Phyllis Ellis said “in 2015 we provided nearly 600 cancer screening procedures to people in our community in addition to providing educational and awareness outreach in our community.”
Those who may qualify for screenings may contact the Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-5248
List of Events and Activities for October
Month of October – County Building to be lit Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Month of October – Over 500 Pink Ribbons have been placed in windows in all County offices
10/1 Breast Cancer Education at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
10/4 Lunch and Learn at MV Psych Center "Breast Health"
10/7 Human Pink Ribbon at Murnane Field
10/14 Dress Down Day in support of Breast Cancer month, $5 bracelets to support Team Oneida County at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Saturday October 15th.
10/17-10/21 – Cancer Screening Week
10/20 – Flyer to all employees to remind them to use their 8 hours of paid leave for Cancer Screening Time.
10/21 - Lunch and Learn at S.R. Sloan on Breast Health
10/21 - Blue Jeans/Pink Shirt Day for OC employees to Spread Breast Cancer Awareness
10/28 - Blue Jeans/Pink Shirt Day for OC employees to Spread Breast Cancer Awareness
