We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. Please accept the Privacy Policy to continue.
 

Press Releases

HHC Launches New "I Dedicate" Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

May 02, 2012

May 18, Vanderbilt Moravian ChurchNew York, NY


The New York City Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) today launched a new awareness campaign aimed at patients and employees to stress the importance of annual mammograms and preventive screenings. The “I Dedicate” campaign encourages women to visit HHC’s social media pages on Facebook and Twitterand dedicate their mammograms to a family member or loved one in their lives and note the special events they want to live long enough to see.
“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.
Rita Despiau, Coordinating Manager in the Community and Public Affairs Office at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, is dedicating her mammogram to her grandson, Lucas, because she wants to see him play professional football someday.
Rocio Ramirez, an HHC patient, is dedicating her mammogram to her mother because she says that “my mom took such great care of me and now it’s my turn to take care of her.”
And, Jennifer Stewart, another HHC patient, is dedicating her mammogram to her husband of twenty one years because she says “we plan to grow old together.”
These are just some of the HHC employees and patients who are featured in HHC’s new breast cancer awareness campaign and have lent their voices and stories to the important cause. Other dedications from patients can be viewed on HHC’s website along with their video dedications.
“More mammograms means more cancers have been diagnosed at an earlier stage when treatment is more effective and prognosis much more hopeful,” said Dr. Maria Castaldi, Director of Breast Health Services at Jacobi Medical Center. “A woman can have breast cancer even if she has no symptoms, and since mammograms are among the best early detection methods, it is recommended that women over 40 get a mammogram and a breast examination by a doctor every year. If breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 96%.”
Throughout the month of May, HHC patients and staff will be invited to “Like” and “Follow” HHC on Facebook and Twitter and upload photos of themselves and the person they are dedicating their mammogram to. 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 doctors performed more than 100,000 mammograms last year and actively encourage women over 40 to get regular mammograms regardless of their ability to pay or lack of health insurance. The public hospitals corporation has traditionally targeted May and Mother’s Day to conduct its annual breast cancer awareness effort.
In addition, HHC hospitals and health centers will host the following breast cancer screening and informational events throughout the month of May:

  • Bellevue Hospital
    May 1 & May 15, 12:00 – 5 p.m.
    May 8, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    May 22, 12:00 – 7 p.m.
    May 29, 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Coney Island Hospital
    May 11, 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Harlem Hospital Center
    May 5, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    May 18, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Kings County Hospital Center:
    May 5, 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m., E-6, Suite B
    May 7, 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., E-6, Suite E
    May 15, 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m., E-6, Suite A
    May 19, 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., E-6, Suite B
    May 24, 8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., E-6, Suite A
  • Jacobi Medical Center
    Every Thursday in May
  • North Central Bronx Hospital
    Every Wednesday in May
  • Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center
    Extended screening schedule
    Every Tuesday and Thursday, starting May 8, 4:00 -7 p.m, Medical Pavilion
    Saturday May 5th and 19th, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.,Women’s Health Clinic.
  • Mariner’s Harbor Family Health Center
    Tuesdays, May 8, 15, & 22, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Mobile Medical Office on Staten Island
    May 14, Project Hospitality 385 Jersey Street,
    10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    May 15, St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 7558 Amboy Road,
    10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    May 16, Midland Beach, Midland Ave & Mason Ave,
    10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    May 17, NYCHA House, West Brighton, 230 Broadway,
    10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    May 18, Vanderbilt Moravian Church, 285 Vanderbilt Ave,
    10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    718-CONNECT or 718-266-6328
  • Queens Hospital Center:
    Monday-Saturday in May, Main Building, 2nd Floor
  • Stapleton Family Health Center
    Tuesdays, May 8, 15, & 22, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center
    “Do You Know About Your Risk of Breast Cancer?” a discussion with guest speakers from  NYU Langone Medical Center, May 16, 12 – 1:30 p.m., 10th floor Solarium.

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.