More Than 100 Cancer Screenings Events Available to New Yorkers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
New York – October 8, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Cuomo announced that two of the New York metropolitan region’s most iconic structures – the George Washington Bridge and the spire on One World Trade Center – will glow pink tonight, October 6, to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in New York State.
“Tonight we are taking another step to raise awareness and move forward in the fight against breast cancer,” said Governor Cuomo. “Early testing can make a world of difference when it comes to fighting breast cancer, and I encourage women across the state to utilize the many free screening opportunities that are available this month. Together we can end the nightmare of this disease once and for all.”
The 408-foot-tall spire on One World Trade Center will be lit pink beginning at 6:27 p.m. tonight. The 156 LED necklace lights on the George Washington Bridge also will glow pink tonight, and will remain pink throughout the month of October.
Each year in New York State, almost 15,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and nearly 2,700 women die from the disease. All women aged 40 and older are urged to consider breast cancer screening. To find out about screening events being held in your area this month, call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) or click here.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which was founded to both increase awareness and to raise funding for research into the disease’s cause, prevention and cure. The color pink has become a common symbol of solidarity for the movement.
Media interested in filming the spire on One World Trade Center can do so from any of the streets surrounding the site, including Church, Liberty, Greenwich and Vesey streets.
The George Washington Bridge’s necklace lighting can be filmed at either of the following New Jersey locations:
- Fort Lee Historic Park, off Hudson Terrace just south of the bridge
- Rockefeller Overlook, north of Exit 1 on the Palisades Interstate Parkway North
Port Authority crews changed the George Washington Bridge’s light coloring during routine maintenance to the bridge’s LED fixtures.
Breast cancer screening is an essential health benefit and covered by all health plans, including health plans participating on the NY State of Health Marketplace. For women without health insurance, the New York State Cancer Services Program can provide breast, cervical and colorectal screening free of charge. In the last year, the program provided breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening to more than 30,000 men and women statewide, including more than 24,500 mammograms and 21,500 clinical breast exams.
The State’s Cancer Services Program links eligible uninsured New Yorkers to high quality cancer screening through health care providers and hospitals in their area. To find out about CSP screening events being held in your area this month, call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) or click here to find a local Cancer Services Program.
Contact the Governor’s Press Office
NYC Press Office: 212.681.4640
Albany Press Office: 518.474.8418
