October 31, 2007

Health Fair and Breast Cancer Awareness Day Held in Mount Vernon

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Legislator Clinton I. Young, Jr., County Board Vice Chair, and his colleagues, County Legislator Bernice Spreckman and Judith A. Myers, sponsored a Health Fair and Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the Friendship Worship Center in Mount Vernon on October 26, 2007. “Women of color are more likely to succumb to breast cancer than women of other nationalities," said Young. "It is so important to deliver free health services to help reverse this trend in our communities.”

Above, Legislator Young at the Health Fair; below, Legislator Spreckman speaks with a senior at one of the health stations.

Young expressed his gratitude to those who partnered with him and his legislative colleagues to sponsor the Health Fair. "I'd like to thank the county executive, the county health department, Bishop C. Nathan Edwers of the Friendship Worship Center as well as the representatives from the corporate sector and health field who helped to make this day possible."

The Health Fair featured free blood pressure and diabetes screenings and foot care services as well as information on breast cancer awareness, HIV prevention, “Health Living” choices and nutrition.

“I’m excited about this event which provided life saving information for all those who attended. If we can help one individual realize the importance of preventive medicine, the fair was a success,” said Bernice Spreckman, the Board’s Chair of the Generational, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Committee.

Legislator Judith Myers, Chair of the Family, Health and Human Services Committee said, “I am proud to co-sponsor this event with my colleagues. Women’s Health and HIV prevention and awareness have been a priority for the Committee this year, with a growing concern about HPV infection causing cervical cancer, the growing rate of women with heart disease and diabetes, and the high number of HIV/AIDS cases in the County. This is a great way to provide invaluable education to the community.”

The Health Fair was co-sponsored by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, Westchester County Department of Health, AVON, Inc., Encore Plus, Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, Dr. Jay Mermelstein, DPM, Rite Aide Pharmacy and Pepsico, Inc.