NORWICH – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in light of the epidemic number of breast cancer claims nationwide, Lori Kemerrer, cancer outreach specialist for the Chenango Health Network, is rousing the community to paint the town pink.
Throughout the month of October, pink ribbons, flags and banners will be hanged in windows of residences and storefronts, on telephone polls, and on car windows throughout the county. Pink ribbon flags will also be flown at six participating townships: Norwich, Sherburne, Earlville, Afton, Bainbridge, and Greene – all as part of a larger campaign effort by the name of ‘Every Woman Counts in Chenango County.’
This will be the second consecutive year Every Woman Counts in Chenango County will be “painting the town pink,” explained Kemerrer. “Last year was a great success in all the towns,” she said. The purpose is to promote regular screenings, mammograms and follow up examinations to prevent growing numbers of breast, cervical and ovarian cancer. “We just want to spread the word to get information out there. Early detection saves lives,” she added.
In addition, Kemerrer is working closely with a few major employers in the area to include bookmarks with each employee’s paycheck to help spread the word. Information regarding breast cancer and the importance of early detection is printed on one side of each bookmark; and on the other side, information and hotlines for anyone threatened by domestic violence (as October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month).
This year, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is throwing their support behind the cause too, clinging pink ribbons to the side of every county patrol car to heighten community awareness. “Cancer is something that we can help to take care of,” noted Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting. “We want to do anything we can do to help be proactive in the community.”
Last week, Kemerrer – with help from the Afton Golf Club – hosted the second annual “It’s a Booby and Butt Thing” golf invitational to raise money for campaign efforts. Nearly $4,500 was raised in a single day, said Kemerrer. Money brought in by the fundraiser will be donated to Chenango County women currently undergoing cancer treatment to help offset fuel costs as they drive to treatment centers in nearby Binghamton or Cooperstown.
According to the Chenango Health Network, breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in women in the United Sates. There are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States today; and death tolls from breast cancer have steadily declined since 1990, thanks in part to early detection and community efforts like Every Woman Counts in Chenango County.
For additional information about Every Woman County in Chenango County, contact Kemmerer at 337-4128, or visit the Chenango Health Network website, www.chenangohealth.org.