Oneida County Raises Over $4,000 to Fight Breast Cancer

Picente Named Top ‘Real Man’ as County Goes Pink All October

UTICA — Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. presented a $4,225 check to the American Cancer Society today for the funds Oneida County raised in the fight against breast cancer.

The money was raised through a series of employee dress down days as part of the County Executive’s Real Men Wear Pink Campaign in which he wore an article of pink clothing every day in October to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Picente participated in the American Cancer Society initiative for the second straight year, and was named the Real Men Wear Pink’s top “Real Man” for 2018, raising a total of $5,527.

“I want to thank our county employees and all the rest of those who made a donation in my name for this worthy cause,” Picente said. “It is truly humbling that so many people joined me to fight against this scourge that affects so many of the women we hold dear.”

More than a dozen community leaders participated in this year’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign and have raised more than $17,500 to date. The Utica-area campaign is currently ranked 150 out 228 in the nation. It will remain open for donations until the end of the year.

“The Real Men Wear Pink campaign is a success because of the passion and dedication of so many terrific guys across our community who step up to lead the fight against breast cancer,” said Robert Elinskas, Senior Community Development Manager for the Northeast Region of the American Cancer Society. “We’re honored to recognize Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente as this year’s top fundraiser for the campaign, and grateful to everyone who participated for helping to make a difference in this important fight.”

In addition to Picente’s fundraising efforts, the County also helped raise breast cancer awareness by placing pink ribbons in the windows of the County Office Building in Utica and lighting the building pink all October long.

According to the New York State Department of Health, there were approximately 192 cases of breast cancer within Oneida County in 2015. In that same year, New York State had an annual average of 15,760 cases of breast cancer.

“Getting regular screenings for breast cancer is important, because early detection is key,” said Oneida County Department of Health Director Phyllis Ellis, BSN, MS, FACHE. “The earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the better the treatment options and the more successful treatment will be. Great advances have been made in early detection and treatment of breast cancer, and many women diagnosed with the disease are living long, healthy lives.”

Below are the guidelines provided by the American Cancer Society for women who have are at average risk:

• Women 40-44 years-old have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
• Women 45-54 years-old should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older can switch to mammograms every other year or continue the yearly schedule.
• Screenings should continue as long as women are in good health and expected to live 10 more years or longer.

For those who are uninsured or underinsured, the Cancer Services Program of the Central Region offers breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings for women and men, regardless of income, in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties.

For more information on the Cancer Services Program of the Central Region, or to set up an appointment, please call 1-888-345-0225.

To make a donation to the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink Campaign, please visit: www.realmenwearpinkacs.org/uticany.