Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester
“The last 10 years running to raise awareness and money for the MMRF has changed my life. While this last Central Park run along with this documentary is the culmination of so much, we are not done. There is still no cure and we will keep fighting. I hope this documentary inspires other to get out there and do something for someone else. Together we can accomplish great things.” -Chappaqua’s Eric Gelber
Press Release from Governor Cuomo’s Office:
New PSA to Run in English and Spanish on 40 Television Stations, 100 Radio Stations in New York State Through Mosquito Season
State Has Distributed 7,000 Larvicide Tablets in the Downstate Region; All Local Zika Action Plans Have Received State Approval
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of an aggressive public awareness campaign to educate New Yorkers on the dangers of the Zika Virus. The campaign’s launch marks the latest step forward in implementing the Governor’s comprehensive six-step action plan to combat Zika. Already, more than 7,000 larvicide tablets have been distributed to eliminate Aedes mosquitoes potentially carrying the virus. Additionally, New York City and the 57 other counties in New York have all received approval from the state Department of Health on local Zika action plans.
“New York State has put forward the nation’s most robust action plan to combat Zika and eliminate this deadly disease at its source,” Governor Cuomo said. “This public awareness campaign will ensure New Yorkers understand the threat Zika poses and how we can stop its transmission. By providing New Yorkers with the information they need, we can protect the public health and put an end to Zika once and for all.”
As part of the campaign, a public service announcement has begun running in English and Spanish on more than 40 television stations statewide and will continue for the duration of the mosquito season, which ends in September. Radio announcements, also in English and Spanish, were sent to more than 100 radio stations across the state and will run during the same timeframe.
Additionally, billboards and informational posters in subways and on buses will be utilized, digital advertisements will be displayed on travel-related websites and New York State has established a Zika Information Helpline (1-888-364-4723), as well as a dedicated website to provide information directly to residents.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “The Department of Health is focused on reducing the risk of Zika virus transmission in New York State. Governor Cuomo’s six-point action plan provides local governments with the support and guidance necessary to address Zika and minimize its impact; and the public awareness campaign provides the information residents need to avoid the risk of Zika transmission.”
Zika is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted primarily by the Aedes aegypti mosquito in South and Central America. The virus can also be sexually transmitted. Although Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are not present in New York, a related species named Aedes albopictus is active in the downstate region. Scientists have not yet determined if Aedes albopictus – the type in New York – transmits Zika. There are 70 different species of mosquito in New York State and Aedes albopictus make up just three to five percent of the total population. Mosquito season in New York runs from April through September.
The greatest danger facing those who contract Zika is a birth defect known as microcephaly. This disease occurs in babies of mothers who are infected with the Zika Virus while pregnant. Zika may also cause a rare disorder called Guillain Barré Syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis. The World Health Organization declared Zika a public health emergency of international concern in February.
Governor Cuomo’ Six-Point Zika Action Plan
1. Eliminate Zika at its Source. To eliminate mosquito breeding sites, the state will distribute 100,000 larvicide tablets throughout the target region. More than 7,000 tablets have already been distributed to municipalities in the downstate area.
Additionally, local counties, residents and business owners will be challenged to host clean-up days that effectively eliminate standing water. Residents can request tablets by calling 1-888-364-4723. One larvicide tablet lasts one month.
Aedes mosquitoes breed in containers with clean water. New Yorkers are encouraged to do their part by distributing larvicide tablets in permanent places of standing water, such as flower pots, and removing sources of standing water of all sizes, such as old tires, children’s toys, plastic containers and even clogged gutters – especially after it rains.
2. Aggressively Monitor the Aedes Mosquito with Special Trapping and Testing.
The state will aggressively monitor the mosquito population by deploying special mosquito traps to collect and test mosquitoes across the region to identify and respond to potential Zika transmission. The state will deploy traps in 1,000 locations per month.
Wadsworth Laboratory – already a national leader in Zika testing – will expand its testing capacity to accommodate the additional trapping. The state Department of Health will test 60,000 Aedes mosquitoes per month at Wadsworth in Albany.
3. Provide Free Zika Protection Kits to Pregnant Women. The state will distribute free Zika protection kits to pregnant women in the target region. The Zika protection kits contain educational materials, insect repellent, condoms and larvicide tablets to treat standing water. A total 20,000 kits will initially be distributed to healthcare providers throughout the region. A photo of a Zika protection kit is available here.
The Zika protection kits complement the state’s offering of free Zika testing to all pregnant women who recently traveled to a country with active Zika transmission or have had unprotected sex with a partner who recently traveled to or resides in a country with active Zika transmission. Men who recently traveled or reside in an area with active Zika transmission and have a pregnant partner should use condoms consistently and correctly or abstain from sex throughout the pregnancy.
The state Department of Health continues to offer webinars for health care providers on the Zika Virus and the care of pregnant women with possible exposure to Zika. Based on current information, infection with Zika at any point in the pregnancy could place the developing fetus at risk. The effect of Zika exposure at different stages of pregnancy on birth defects is not known.
4. Deploy Rapid Response Teams Wherever Local Transmission is Confirmed. The state will deploy rapid response teams wherever a case of Zika transmission by an Aedes mosquito is confirmed. The rapid response team will be composed of officials from the State Department of Health and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management to inspect surrounding areas, perform additional treatment and develop a local action plan.
5. Issue Emergency Regulations Requiring Local Zika Control Plans Upon Zika Confirmation. The Commissioner of DOH issued emergency regulations requiring all local health departments to submit Zika action plans with updated protocols for trapping, testing and control. The state Department of Health has approved plans in all 58 counties in New York State.
6. Launch Statewide Public Awareness Campaign. The state has launched an aggressive public awareness campaign targeting New Yorkers across the state, as well as international travelers from Zika-affected areas.
The public awareness campaign includes:
• PSA running on 40 television stations and 100 radio stations across the state;
• Multi-lingual posters, brochures and fact sheets to educate travelers about Zika;
• The Zika Information Helpline (1-888-364-4723); and
• A website dedicated to the Zika Virus.
To ensure travelers take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against Zika, the state will work with airports in the target region and across New York State to disseminate print materials and broadcast public service announcements to passengers.
By Jennifer Butler
If you had the ability to prevent more than 50,000 deaths a year, would you do it? If so, join us on May 22nd at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY for the 13th Annual Colon Cancer Challenge.
The Colon Cancer Challenge is a unique opportunity for survivors, caregivers and loved ones to honor and celebrate the individuals in their lives who have fought bravely against the this devastating cancer killer. By coming together to walk, run, and cheer we are able to raise awareness of this deadly but largely preventable disease and expand the network of support and dedication for our those affected by the disease.
This family-oriented event consists of a Remembrance and Prevention Walk, a 4-mile Mixed Terrain Fun Run, a Kids Fun Run for children under 12, entertainment and a wellness festival. The top male and female finishers will receive trophies while each Kids Fun Run finisher will receive a medal. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirts and refreshments.
Survivors are invited to participate in a special Survivor Ceremony and our annual photo prior to the start of the walk, and will also have access to a V.I.P. tent.
The Challenge was New York’s first public colorectal cancer awareness event, founded in 2004 by world-renowned colorectal cancer surgeon and researcher – and longtime Chappaqua resident – Dr. Thomas Weber. “When I started the Colon Cancer Challenge 13 years ago, I could only hope that it would grow as large as it is now. It’s amazing how many people join us every year to raise awareness of New York State’s second leading cancer killer,” he says.
“We are so excited to be back at Manhattanville College this year,” says Cindy Borassi, CCCF Executive Director. “No matter what distance they walk or run, every step our community members take reminds us that this disease is largely preventable with early detection and by incorporating a healthy diet and exercise into your lifestyle.”
Challenge participant Beth Beckmann lost her husband John to colon cancer in 2004, just a few months after the first Colon Cancer Challenge. “Seeing the support pour in for John through donations to our daughter’s Challenge team brought great joy to us all in the final months of John’s life,” Beth says. “I continue to participate in Challenge events and support CCCF in memory of John and also in the hope that fewer and fewer families will have a story like ours.”
Despite the progress we have made over the last decade in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer in those over 50, early age onset cases of colorectal cancer have been dramatically increasing every year, even affecting those in their early twenties. By funding research into this terrifying trend and offering support to survivors and their families, CCCF is at the forefront of the fight against early age onset colorectal cancer.
Challenge participant Samantha Frazier was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer at age 24. Now 27 and cancer-free, Samantha, along with her team of family and friends, believes the Challenge is a way to spread the critical message of awareness and prevention while celebrating survivorship. She says, “I want others to know that they can live too and celebrate their glory as a warrior forever!”
When Samantha took to the stage for the Survivor Ceremony at last year’s Westchester Colon Cancer Challenge, a hush fell over the crowd. Her youthful presence was a reminder that this disease does not discriminate. And her sweet smile and courageous spirit were a reminder that this disease can – and will – be defeated.
Last year more than 3,500 people participated in Colon Cancer Challenge events, raising nearly $750,000. This year CCCF hopes to reach its goal of $1 million to continue its lifesaving public awareness, screening and prevention programs for the underserved and uninsured, as well as research focused on early age onset of colorectal cancer.
To get involved, call 914.305.6674 or visit events.coloncacnerchallenge.org.
On Sunday, October 18, more than 30 Bet Torah Nursery School staff members, parents and friends of the Nursery School, joined together at Manhattanville College for the annual American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. There were smiles and cheers all around us as we walked through the starting line to begin our 5-mile walk through the campus of Manhattanville and through the streets of Purchase.
This year, our Mitzvah Makers team raised over $11,000 — our highest amount over the 7 years that we have participated in Making Strides. This brings our team’s 7-year total contribution to Making Strides to well over $55,000 (ranking us #9 this year of the 525 participating teams!) After the walk, we all enjoyed a delicious tailgating brunch, hosted by Morah Mindy and her family. Dr. Cary Goltzman (husband of Morah Kathy) again generously provided delicious home-smoked salmon!
Funds raised through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer are used to find causes and cures for breast cancer, to help people get well and stay well from breast cancer, and to empower people to fight back against breast cancer.
15 Million Americans with Food Allergies = 15 Million Reasons to Walk
The FARE Walk for Food Allergy, presented by Mylan Specialty L.P., raises critical funds and awareness each year to support Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in its mission to improve the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments.
Join FARE and the food allergy community in Westchester to raise critical funds for and awareness about this growing public health issue. The FARE Walk for Food Allergy in Westchester will be held Saturday, October 10th at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle at 1pm.
This year, tens of thousands of people will gather at walks in nearly 60 communities nationwide to support their loved ones, friends, co-workers and neighbors living with life-threatening food allergies. The FARE Walk for Food Allergy offers fun activities for the entire family while helping to advance food allergy research, education, advocacy and awareness initiatives.
“Fifteen million people in the United States are living with food allergy, a life-altering and potentially life-threatening disease,” said Donna McKelvey, senior vice president and chief development officer at FARE. “It is for each of these individuals and their families that we work to find life-changing treatments, educate, advocate – and of course, walk. Every step we take and every dollar raised brings us closer to the day when we say FAREwell to food allergies.”
Sandi Kornblum, a Westchester resident and parent of a child with food allergies, is Westchester’s Walk Chair. She shares, “I am very excited about the 6th annual food allergy walk in Westchester. We are working diligently and planning a spectacular family day with fun-filled activities for the kids. Please fundraise and register to attend on October10th to help spread awareness as we walk together towards progress and growth in the research and education of food allergies.”
The 2013 and 2014 FARE Walk for Food Allergy programs raised over $3 million each. Participants can sign up to walk individually or as part of a team. For more information, or to register or volunteer, visit www.foodallergywalk.org/westchester2015. Sponsorship opportunities remain available, enabling businesses to show their support for families who are managing food allergies.
ABOUT FARE
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) works on behalf of the 15 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis. This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children in the U.S. – or roughly two in every classroom. FARE’s mission is to improve the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments. Our work is organized around three core tenets: LIFE – support the ability of individuals with food allergies to live safe, productive lives with the respect of others through our education and advocacy initiatives; HEALTH – enhance the healthcare access of individuals with food allergies to state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment; and HOPE – encourage and fund research in both industry and academia that promises new therapies to improve the allergic condition. For more information, please visit www.foodallergy.org and find us on Twitter @FoodAllergy, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.
The information presented here was via a Press Release from The FARE Walk for Food Allergy.
