Press Release From The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
May 29, 2007
Contact: Michele Fisher
Phone: (732) 235-9872
Fisherm2@umdnj.edu
UMDNJ’s Cancer Institute of New Jersey and its Network of Hospitals Celebrate Cancer Survivors Throughout the Month of June
Events Throughout the State Recognize National Cancer Survivors Day
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NEW BRUNSWICK — While cancer is still a devastating disease responsible for the 555,000 deaths in the United States annually, improved treatment and diagnostic techniques have dramatically increased the number of people now living with the disease. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), more than 10 million cancer survivors currently live in the United States, with more than 300,000 of those individuals living here in the Garden State, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.
That’s why The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) and a number of its partner and affiliate hospitals are hosting events to mark National Cancer Survivors Day, which falls in June. While the events range from carnival celebrations and athletic events to lunch engagements with motivational speakers, the message is the same: “Celebrating Life.” That’s according to Molly Gabel, M.D., Deputy Director of Extramural Affairs at CINJ and Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at UMNDJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, who says the CINJ Network has a unique opportunity to share that message with the greater community.
“CINJ and our Network of hospitals work tirelessly together to conquer cancer and increase the number of survivors living with cancer in New Jersey,” said Gabel. “These celebrations allow for these hundreds of thousands of individuals to truly celebrate life.”
CINJ is hosting its event Sunday, June 10, at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick. Cancer survivor Sherry Waldrip, who authored the book “I Don’t Remember Signing up for Cancer,” will offer encouragement and hope as she shares her story in a humorous way. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. with the program running from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A light lunch will be served. To reserve seating, call CINJ’s Office of Communications at 732-235-9891. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to CINJ patients and those active in CINJ-sponsored programs.
Other CINJ Network Survivors Day Events Include:
Partner Hospitals:
Atlantic Health’s Overlook Hospital (Summit) - Saturday, June 2 beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Governor Livingston High School in Berkley Heights (rain or shine). A “Celebration of Life” ceremony to honor cancer survivors and their families will take place, featuring Beverly Kirkhart, author of “Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul.” An opening ceremony for a “Relay for Life” event will take place at 6:00 p.m. followed by a luminary ceremony at 9:00 p.m. The event will take place rain or shine. Anyone is welcome to attend, but must register by calling 908-522-5211.
Atlantic Heath’s Morristown Memorial Hospital (Morristown) - Sunday, June 3 from11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. A “Celebration of Life” Carnival theme will feature music, games, prizes, food and photos for MMH cancer patients, their families, friends and caregivers. Parking is located across from the cancer center in the JCP&L lot. To register, call 973-971-6182
Affiliate Hospitals:
Southern Ocean County Hospital (Manahawkin) - Friday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. at Southern Regional High School in Manahawkin. A “Survivors Dinner” will take place followed by the “Relay for Life,” (held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society) in which survivors will take a lap around the field. To register, call 1-800-ACS-2345.
University Medical Center at Princeton (Princeton) - Friday, June 1 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor. A “Survivor Dinner and Victory Celebration” will feature a carnival theme with food, face painting, local bands, and guest speakers followed by the “Relay for Life” kick-off at 7:00 p.m. and a luminaria ceremony at 9:00 p.m. Survivors and one guest may attend the Dinner/Celebration for free. All others must pay $10. To register, call 609-497-4458.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital - Hamilton (Hamilton, Mercer County) - Sunday, June 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Hospital. A “Celebration of Life” event will feature lunch and Beverly Kirkhart, author of “Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul,” who will speak on “How to Turn Setbacks into Comebacks.” To register, call 609-584-5900.
CentraState Medical Center (Freehold) - Sunday, June 3 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the CentraState Ambulatory Campus. Co-sponsored by Friends Health Connection, the event will focus on “Survivorship Education.” Featured will be Julie Silver, M.D., Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the RESTORE Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Program at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts. Silver is an award-winning author of more than a dozen books including “After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger.” The event is for current and former oncology patients by invitation only. A buffet lunch will be served. To register, call 732-294-2715.
Cooper University Hospital (Voorhees) - Saturday, June 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cooper Cancer Institute in Voorhees. “The Art of Survivorship” celebration will feature chair massages, reflexology, art therapy, cosmetic makeovers, children’s craft making and complimentary lunch and snacks. Cancer patients and their guests are welcome, but must register by calling 1-800-8COOPER. Free parking is available on site.
Saint Peter’s University Hospital (New Brunswick) - Sunday, June 10 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Hospital’s Main Entrance. The outdoor “Mardi Gras” celebration will feature a Cajun cookout; “Shades of Blue,” a local six-piece jazz band; and The Almost Famous Players of South Plainfield, who will provide games and entertainment. Attendees will receive beads and masks and will be invited to participate in a Mardi Gras parade at the conclusion of the event. Registration is required at 732-937-6000.
About The Cancer Institute of New Jersey
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is the state’s first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and is dedicated to improving the prevention, detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer. CINJ’s physician-scientists engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice quite literally bringing research to life. The Cancer Institute of
New Jersey is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. To support CINJ, please call The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Foundation at 1-888-333-CINJ.
The Cancer Institute of New Jersey Network is comprised of hospitals throughout the state and provides a mechanism to rapidly disseminate important discoveries into the community. Partner Hospitals: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Atlantic Health (Morristown Memorial Hospital, Overlook Hospital). Affiliate Hospitals: Bayshore Community Hospital, CentraState Healthcare System, Cooper University Hospital,* Jersey Shore University Medical Center, JFK Medical Center, Mountainside Hospital, Raritan Bay Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton (CINJ-Hamilton), Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Somerset Medical Center, Southern Ocean County Hospital, The University Hospital/UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School*, and University Medical Center at Princeton. *Academic Affiliate
UMDNJ is the nation’s largest free-standing public health sciences university with more than 5,700 students attending the state's three medical schools, its only dental school, a graduate school of biomedical sciences, a school of health related professions, a school of nursing and a school of public health on five campuses. Annually, there are more than two million patient visits at UMDNJ facilities and faculty practices at campuses in Newark, New Brunswick/Piscataway, Scotch Plains, Camden and Stratford. UMDNJ operates University Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center in Newark, and University Behavioral HealthCare, a statewide mental health and addiction services network.
