Freeholders Raise Awareness For Pediatric Cancer and Suicide Prevention

 

By Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone

            The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders believes it is imperative to get the word out in an effort to raise awareness on two critical issues we face right here in our county.

            First is the growing problem of pediatric cancer. Because of this rising epidemic, Freeholder Serena DiMaso along with the support of The Board of Chosen Freeholders, Sheriff Shaun Golden and families of pediatric cancer victims in Monmouth County joined together at the last Freeholder’s meeting to proclaim September “Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.” Moreover, Monmouth County has the third highest rate of cancer in the state, and it is time to figure out why. The month of September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which was created to bring attention to the caregivers, charities and groups, who spotlight the importance of the need for research and awareness to aid in finding cures for pediatric cancer. As part of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders as well as the communities within will “go gold”, placing gold ribbons and wearing gold clothing to recognize the need for more research in the area of pediatric oncology. We must do everything we can to promote the awareness and research of this disease that is taking the lives of our children. Our hearts go out to the families affected by cancer, and we sincerely hope that by declaring September as “Go Gold Month”, we can start to raise awareness right here in Monmouth. County.

            Also at the last meeting of The Board of Chosen Freeholders, Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini was on hand to receive a proclamation that was drafted by The Board in hopes of raising Suicide Awareness. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of all deaths in the United States and the 3rd leading cause of death among young people from 15 to 24 years old, and with one person committing suicide every 14.2 minutes, it is estimated that 4.73 million people in the United States have lost a loved one to suicide.

            Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 50 percent of people who die by suicide use a firearm, and statistics show that guns stored in the house are used for suicide 40 times more often than for self-protection. Additionally, the stigma associated with mental illness works against suicide prevention because it discourages at-risk persons from seeking lifesaving help; and for that reason organizations both public and private should be encouraged to develop educational programs and intervention services to help to end those perceptions.

            Through education programs, many public and private organizations develop research projects and intervention services which are dedicated to reducing the frequency of suicide attempts and deaths, and to ease the pain of those affected by loved ones who have committed suicide.

            The Board of Chosen Freeholders recognizes suicide as a public health problem and therefore declared suicide prevention to be a priority by proclaiming the week of September 8, 2013 to be known as Suicide Prevention Week.

            Please join the Board of Chosen Freeholders in our effort to get the word out on these most critical issues and do what we can as citizens of this great county to help one another.

Posted: August 26th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Health Care, Monmouth County, Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, Tom Arnone | Tags: Freeholder Director Tom Arnone, Freeholder Serena DiMaso, Mary Pat Angelini, Monmouth County Board of Freeholders, Pedicatric Cancer, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Suicide Awareness, Tom Arnone | 1 Comment »

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