SOMERVILLE – Somerset County Freeholder Patricia L. Walsh will join Women’s Health & Counseling Center (WHCC) and the Regional Chronic Disease Coalition of Somerset and Morris Counties (RCDC) in kicking off the 10th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Thursday, Oct. 10, at Noon.

     The kickoff will take place on the steps of the historic courthouse on East Main Street, near the corner of Main and Grove streets.  In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the lobby of the Somerset County Administration Building at 20 Grove St., across the street. 

The public is invited to attend and to join in wearing pink clothing or accessories in recognition of people affected by breast cancer. The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. 

WHCC Executive Director Frances Palm will officiate.  Freeholder Walsh will present a proclamation recognizing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will offer brief remarks. 

“The goal of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to bring awareness about breast cancer, stress the importance of early detection and screenings and inform the public about the many resources and services available to residents of Somerset County,” said Freeholder Walsh.   

“On the national level, the number of deaths attributed to breast cancer continues to decrease.  However, in Somerset County, the incidence rate for female breast cancer is higher than on the national level. 

“With that in mind, there is much that needs to be done to reduce breast cancer in our county,” said Freeholder Walsh. “It’s important that we choose healthy lifestyles, become informed on cancer-screening guidelines, share information with friends and family and follow the American Cancer Society’s current recommendations for annual mammography screenings,” she said. “Statistics show that mammography for women age 40 and over is beneficial in detecting breast cancer in earlier stages when treatment outcomes can be more positive.”

Refreshments will follow.  RVSP by Tuesday, Oct. 8, if you plan on staying by calling RCDC Public Health Coordinator Lucille Y-Talbot at (908) 203-6077 or emailing ytalbot@co.somerset.nj.us.

Visitors to Somerville will see pink bows adorning Main Street, throughout the month of October, which have been placed by dedicated volunteers from partner organizations and breast cancer survivors.   Also, there will be information about breast cancer risk factors and resources for getting a mammogram.

Several members of the RCDC of Somerset and Morris Counties will be available to talk with participants and provide literature and valuable resources. Included will be The Cancer Support Community, Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. 

Women's Health & Counseling Center, a member of the RCDC, is a community-based, nonprofit provider of personalized healthcare, especially for people who cannot obtain services from traditional providers due to monetary, cultural, language or other barriers. For more information, visit www.womenandhealth.org.

This year’s breast cancer awareness event is sponsored by WHCC, New Jersey Cancer Education & Early Detection (CEED), the RCDC of Somerset and Morris Counties, with support from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The RCDC is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Cancer Control and Prevention to the Somerset County Public Health & Safety Department.

For more information and a listing of programs throughout the counties, to join the Coalition or learn more about available educational and screening resources, contact RCDC Public Health Coordinator Lucille Y-Talbot at (908) 203-6077 or ytalbot@co.somerset.nj.us.