County Hosts Pink Tea Party to Celebrate Breast Cancer Survivor Day

CAPE MAY – May 20th is designated Breast Cancer Survivor Day in the State of New Jersey. Freeholder Gerald Thornton announced that in Cape May County, “The Department of Health’s Cancer Education and Early Detection (CEED) program will host a Pink Tea Party on May 20th to celebrate the courage and fortitude displayed by the women of our county that fought and won their battle against breast cancer.” The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Emlen Physick Estate’s Carriage House Tea Room located at 1048 Washington Street in the City of Cape May.
Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer found in women; the first is non-melanoma skin cancer. Although considered a women’s disease, men can develop breast cancer. The ratio is one male to a hundred female diagnosed cases. Women have a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. In both cases prevention and early detection are key factors for survival.
Speakers will include: Freeholders Gerald M. Thornton and M. Susan Sheppard, Mary Pat Hastings, Director of Nursing, Cape May County, Carol Porter, Cape May County CEED Program Manager, Health Officer Kevin Thomas, Lisa A. Holland, NJ CEED Program, Bernadette Matthews, Breast Cancer Survivor, Dolly McGee, Survivors of Cancer Organization, Bonnie Kratzer and Gloria Schultz , Cape Regional Medical Center’s Parish Nurses, Margaret Clark, Love of Linda and Gerry Rescigna and Jackie Bradley, Casting for Recovery.
Each county CEED program received funding to promote breast cancer awareness during the month of May. Freeholder Thornton said, “The Pink Tea was selected as a way to both honor survivors and bring about public awareness to breast cancer and the need to find a cure for this disease.”
The CEED Program, funded through a state grant and county funds, provides screenings for low income, uninsured county women for breast, cervical and colon-rectal cancer. Also, for men, breast, prostate and colon-rectal cancer screenings are conducted.
For information about the Cape May County CEED program call 609-465-1047.