Huntington Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and other town officials partnered Monday with Pink Aid to highlight breast cancer and the need for awareness of the disease.
The town and Pink Aid have placed 54 pink and white flags on Main Street and New York Avenue to remind people about the disease. Lauryn Koke, president of Pink Aid, supplied the flags.
Pink Aid and the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition participated in the press conference on Main Street to remind both women and men that early detection of the cancer can save lives.
Cuthbertson said, “I am happy to partner with Pink Aid and Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition to bring awareness to this disease. Our hope is when people see the flags they serve as a reminder to all to make a screening appointment. Early detection saves lives.”
Medical authorities say that screenings and early detection rates declined during the pandemic.
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Unfortunately, everyone knows someone affected by the disease.
“Breast cancer education and screenings can save up to 37 lives every day in the US according to the World Health Organization, so please if you have been lax about your screenings, please make an appointment today, it can save your life,” Cuthbertson said.
“We can indeed hope to create sweeping health changes when there is a personal and political will,” Karen Miller, founder of Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Inc., said.
“I am deeply grateful to Pink Aid and the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition for everything they do to raise awareness and support individuals with breast cancer. It is an honor to help them commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Councilwoman Joan Cergol said.
“Breast cancer awareness is not just a woman’s issue, it is everyone’s issue. On behalf of my mother, my sisters, my wife, and my daughters, I am deeply concerned about breast cancer and hope this event brings us closer to better treatment and a cure” said Councilman Ed Smyth.
“I want to thank Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Pink Aid Long Island and Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition for this reminder for Breast Cancer Awareness Month to all women and men. A breast cancer diagnosis has a huge impact not only on the person who has this disease but the whole family” Councilman Eugene Cook said. “I know personally how critical early diagnosis is, as I have a dear friend whose life was saved, due to swift treatment for an aggressive breast cancer in its early stages, allowing her to be here with her family 7 years later, which would not have been possible if the cancer was found six months later. I ask all women and men please remember how important it is to have regular screenings for breast cancer.”