Don’t Wear Shoes on June 15! Betty Gallo Launches ‘Sneakers@Work Day’ Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., May 24 /PRNewswire/ — On Friday, June 15, New Jersey residents can wear sneakers to work AND raise funds for prostate cancer research and awareness. “Sneakers@Work Day,” a prostate cancer awareness day launched by Governor Jon Corzine, is being spearheaded by Betty Gallo, of Lake Hopatcong, N.J.
Since the death of her husband, Congressman Dean Gallo, from prostate cancer in 1994 at the age of 58, Betty has devoted her personal and professional efforts to raising awareness and finding a cure for prostate cancer. Since May 1999, she has served as Director of Public Outreach and Government Relations of the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The center is New Jersey’s only specialized prostate health resource at a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center.
Now, as Honorary Chairperson for “Sneakers@Work Day,” Betty hopes to promote awareness of the disease, as well as educate New Jerseyans about testing and treatment. On June 15, the Friday before Father’s Day, individuals and employees in registered workplaces will wear sneakers to work and receive a pair of blue shoelaces in exchange for a $5 contribution. The money raised will go to the American Prostate Cancer Foundation, which will provide a grant directly to the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center. There, a team or physicians and scientists are making historic advancements in the prevention, research and treatment of prostate cancer. The New Jersey program is the leader of a national initiative launched by Julie Lewit- Nirenberg, founder of the American Prostate Cancer Initiative.
“Sneakers represent a healthy, active lifestyle; and men should not have to run for their lives from this disease,” says Betty. “Early detection and treatment of prostate cancer leads to a nearly 100 percent survival rate. If men and women had the same awareness of prostate cancer as they do of breast cancer, we would have the potential to save over 27,000 lives in this country each year,” she adds.
Gallo is educating individuals statewide about the importance of early detection and prevention of prostate cancer through Sneakers@Work Day. Employers or individuals can get more information or register online at http://www.sneakersatwork.org, or by phone at 1-888-582-0173. There is no fee to participate, although employers may wish to match their employees’ contributions.
New Jersey ranks first in the nation in newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer, with more than 7,000 men diagnosed in 2006. African-American men, in particular, have the highest prostate cancer rate in the world, and are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer as any other group.
“My goal is to help prevent others from suffering the way Dean did, by advocating the importance of early detection, awareness, and education,” says Betty. “Sneakers@Work Day will help move us closer to that goal. In fact, I hope that blue sneaker laces will become an icon for prostate health as the pink ribbon is for breast health,” she comments.
source : biz.yahoo.com
