To Raise Breast Cancer Awareness, HHC Asks Women to “Dedicate” Their Mammogram to a Loved One
Mother's Day Campaign in May Will Use Facebook and Twitter to Engage Patients and Staff
May 02, 2013
Dr. Susan Sanelli-Russo
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) today launched a Mother’s Day breast cancer awareness campaign that asks women to dedicate their mammogram to a loved one during the month of May to stress the importance of annual mammograms and preventive screenings. The “I Dedicate” campaign will feature more than 90 educational and cancer screening events at HHC’s 11 hospitals and six large health centers for patients, staff and the public where women over 40 will be urged to schedule a mammogram. The campaign encourages women to visit HHC’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitter or an HHC facility to dedicate their mammograms to a family member or loved one in their lives. Patients and members of the public also will be able to write a special mammogram dedication and enter a contest on Facebook for a chance to win an iPad mini. And the HHC logo will go pink for the month to raise awareness.
“Mammograms are the most important tool for early detection of breast cancer, and HHC hospitals and health centers are committed to promoting and providing this life-saving screening at little or no cost,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles.
HHC has traditionally targeted May and Mother’s Day to create awareness about the benefits of breast cancer prevention, screening and early detection. HHC doctors performed more than 101,000 mammograms last year and actively encourage women over 40 to get regular, confidential mammograms regardless of their ability to pay, lack of health insurance or immigration status.
The “I Dedicate” breast cancer awareness campaign features a number of HHC employees who have lent their voices and stories to this important cause.
Dr. Susan Sanelli-Russo dedicates her mammogram “to all mothers who face a breast cancer diagnosis.” Marisol Perez, a Vascular Services Coordinator, dedicates her mammogram “to undocumented immigrant women because many of them fear deportation more than illness. They live their lives without preventive screenings, like mammograms, until it’s too late and the diagnosis is devastating.” And Vivian Morgan, Radiology Supervisor in a Mammography Unit at HHC, dedicates her mammogram “to all my patients because when they come in crying, we cry together. And when they’re in remission, we laugh together. That’s the best part of my job.”
Other dedications can be viewed on HHC’s website.
Sources: HHC, NYC Health Department,
American Cancer Society
“Today, early detection and treatment, along with improvements in cancer research and health awareness, are giving millions of women the chance of surviving cancer,” said Dr. Valerie Katz of the Breast Center at Lincoln Medical Center. “When breast cancer is detected and treated at its earliest stage, survival is 99%. In the fight against this disease, preventative screenings continue to be a most important tool and it is recommended that women over 40 get a mammogram and a breast examination by a doctor on a yearly basis.”
HHC patients and staff will also be able to go on to facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem and access images with the words “I dedicate my mammogram to my …,” and select from more than a dozen choices of special people — mothers, sisters, husbands or sons — and pick one that’s most relevant to them.
All HHC hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, and community health clinics will feature an “I Dedicate” recognition wall for staff and patients to post pink ribbons with their dedication and help encourage others to schedule their mammogram.
HHC hospitals and health centers will host the following breast cancer screening and informational events throughout the month of May:
MAMMOGRAM EDUCATION AND SCREENING EVENTS
Mammograms by appointment only
BRONX
Jacobi Medical Center
Building 6 Lobby
1400 Pelham Parkway South
Wednesdays: May 15, 22, & 29
11:30am – 8:00pm
(718) 918-4716
Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center
234 East 149th Street
Medical Pavilion
Tuesdays: May 7, 14, 21 & 28
Thursdays: May 9, 16, 23 & 30
4pm – 6:30pm
Women’s Health Clinic – 1A2
Saturdays: May 11 & 18
8am – 2pm
(718) 579-5550
Morrisania Diagnostic & Treatment Center
1225 Gerard Avenue
Wednesdays: 15 & 29
10am – 2pm
(718)-960-2701
North Central Bronx Hospital
3424 Kossuth Avenue
Mondays: May 13, 20 & 27
Wednesdays: May 15, 22, & 29
Fridays: May 10, 17, 24 & 31
9am – 3pm
(718) 519-3086
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic & Treatment Center
545 East 142nd Street
Wednesday: May 29
10am – 2pm
(718) 579-4010
BROOKLYN
Coney Island Hospital
First Floor Lobby
2601 Ocean Parkway
Thursdays: May 16, 23 & 30
12pm – 2pm
(718) 616-4432
Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center
4th Floor Auditorium
100 North Portland Avenue
Hats and High Tea for Breast Cancer Awareness (Must RSVP)
Friday, May 10
10am -12pm
(718) 260-4851
East New York Diagnostic & Treatment Center
Lobby
2094 Pitkin Avenue
Tuesdays: May 14, 21 & 28
Thursdays: May 16, 23, & 30
10am – 3pm
(718) 240-0531
Kings County Hospital Center
E Building – Lobby
451 Clarkson Avenue
Wednesday: May 15
Thursday: May 23
10am – 1pm
(718) 245-3267
Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center
3rd Floor Conference Room #2
760 Broadway
Hats and High Tea for Breast Cancer Awareness (Must RSVP)
Thursday, May 16
11am – 2pm
(718) 963-5771
MANHATTAN
Bellevue Hospital Center
Atrium – Lobby
462 First Avenue
Tuesdays: May 14 & 21
Thursdays, May 16 & 23
10am – 2pm
(212) 562-4384
Harlem Hospital Center
Mural Pavilion – Women’s Imaging, 2nd Floor
506 Lenox Avenue
Monday – Friday, May 6 – 31
8am – 6pm
(212) 939-4291
Metropolitan Hospital Center
1901 First Avenue
Thursday, May 9
10am – 2pm
(212) 423-7993
Eddie Jr’s Hair Salon *
1604 Madison Avenue
Saturday, May 11
10am – 3pm
(212) 423-7993
Bally Total Fitness *
1915 Third Avenue
May 14 (Tuesday)
2pm – 7pm
(212) 423-7993
* Scheduled mammograms will take place at Metropolitan Hospital.
QUEENS
Elmhurst Hospital Center
79-01 Broadway
Monday: May 13
10am – 12pm
Wednesday: May 15
10am – 1pm
(718) 334-1900
Queens Hospital Center
82-68 164th Street
Wednesdays: May: 8 & 15
11am – 2pm
(718) 883-4509
STATEN ISLAND
Mariners Harbor Family Health Center
Forest Plaza Shopping Center
2040 Forest Avenue
Friday: May 10
10am – 3pm
(718) 761-2060
Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center & Home
Robitzek Lobby
460 Brielle Avenue
Friday: May 10
10am – 3pm
(718) 317-3000
Mammograms by appointment only.
Contact : Ian Michaels (HHC) (212) 788-3339
About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system with its own 420,000 member health plan, MetroPlusHealth, and is the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nychhc.org/hhc or find us on facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or twitter.com/NYCHealthSystem.