SUNY Downstate Participates in Colon Cancer Challenge March 28
Apr 2, 2010
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University partnered with the Colon Cancer Foundation for its 7th Annual Colon Cancer Challenge in Central Park, on March 28. The Colon Cancer Challenge is the premier colorectal cancer awareness event in the United States, and includes the participation of thousands of survivors, families, friends, neighbors, and health professionals. The event was held in collaboration with New York Road Runners Club.
Prior to the event SUNY Downstate medical students appeared on CBS television Friday morning, March 26 in support of colon cancer screening. On March 28 more than 50 walkers and runners on the Downstate team participated in the Remembrance and Prevention walk, 4-mile run, and 15K run. Downstate’s Center for Community Health Promotion and Wellness set up an informational table staffed by students from the Physician Assistant Program.
Thomas K. Weber, MD, who founded the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation, said, “Thanks
in large part to the organizational and fundraising efforts of the SUNY Downstate
team, the 2010 Cancer Challenge was the most successful to date.” Dr. Weber is chief
of surgery at the Brooklyn Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System and professor
of surgery at Downstate.
Rose Jackman, the Downstate team leader said, “I was thrilled with the support of
the students, faculty, and staff who gave generously and participated in the Challenge
that day. We wore our blue Downstate shirts with pride.”
This year's Challenge featured a special emphasis on the importance of colon cancer screening with the launch of Sign Up New York, a program designed to enlist the public to pledge to call their doctor to schedule their colon cancer screening appointment.
Recommended screening allows for the detection of early colon cancer when it is highly curable, as well as the detection of potentially pre-cancerous polyps, which can be removed before they turn into cancer. Men and women should begin screening at age 50. Those with certain risk factors—such as a family history of colorectal polyps or cancer—may need to begin screening at a younger age.
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About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (SUNY) 64-campus system and the only SUNY AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough’s 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate’s exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.