Denise Fanelli, a patient at the Leon Hess Cancer Center, discusses her experience as a cancer survivor at a press conference held at the Great Lawn Pavilion in Long Branch. A long the Long Branch boardwalk, multicolored ribbons flutter in the ocean breeze, each a symbol of courage and hope for those fighting the battle against cancer.
The ribbons are part of Monmouth Medical Center’s “Roll Out the Ribbons” campaign, an initiative to spread awareness of every type of cancer in every community.
“This is Monmouth Medical Center’s long-term cancer awareness campaign, which is designed to bring together all the surrounding communities in the fight against cancer,” Dr. Frank Vozos, CEO of Monmouth Medical, said during the June 27 kickoff event at the Great Lawn Pavilion on the Long Branch beachfront.
“It brings many cancer-specific awareness ribbons into one to remind us that cancer is really a singular enemy, in whatever form it takes.”
Dr. Frank Vozos, president and CEO of Monmouth Medical Center, announces the launch of “Roll out the Ribbons,” a community initiative to promote awareness and offer support to patients diagnosed with all types of cancer. PHOTOS BY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR The goal of the campaign, he said, is to raise awareness about cancer, educate the community about risk factors and preventative measures associated with cancer, and help those who are diagnosed with cancer to cope with the challenges ahead of them.
The ribbons are purple to signify cancer, and display 12 bands of different colors to highlight the most common types of cancer affecting millions of people each year. A focal point of “Roll Out the Ribbons” is engaging the public in the creation of a Promenade of Hope, a half-mile stretch of railing along the boardwalk where ribbons displaying messages of hope will be tied.
NICOLE ANTONUCCI/STAFF With her ribbon, Denise Fanelli, a patient at Monmouth Medical Center’s Leon Hess Cancer Center, honors loved ones lost to cancer, including her mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friends, as well as those who, like herself, are dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Fanelli said her own journey began in 2009 with a mammogram prescription that she stored in her planner, but was forgotten for three years amid birthdays, funerals, summer camp, weddings, graduations and other important events.
“With dog ears and faded ink, over the years that script became a bookmark in my busy life,” Fanelli told the local and hospital officials and members of the public who attended the June 27 kickoff event.
Then, in 2012, after having the long-anticipated mammogram, she had a biopsy and was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, Fanelli said.
Her experience on this cancer journey has included a bilateral mastectomy and 28 visits to a radiation oncology center for treatment, which she completed five weeks ago. She now plans to have reconstructive surgery.
“Who knew four years ago, when I put a mammogram prescription in my pocketbook, it was going to take me here … to this forever,” she said.
While Fanelli urges women to have mammograms, she is a stronger advocate for cancer awareness in general and was relieved to hear about the “Roll Out the Ribbons” campaign.
“We can’t forget everyone else,” she said. “We need a cure for all cancer.”
Tim McCloone, Shore restaurateur and musician, said that rather than treat the symptoms, doctors need to treat the causes.
McCloone said he has made countless visits to the Valerie Fund Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders — whose locations include Monmouth Medical Center — with his son, who was diagnosed with leukemia at 9 years old.
Rather than focus on the rough years of his son’s illness, McLoone spoke about the present — his son at age 16 playing baseball for Red Bank Regional High School.
“He says that he sucks at it,” McLoone said. “To us, it’s a miracle he is even playing.”
McLoone is optimistic that someday treatment for cancer will become so advanced that what is now known as “state-of-the-art care” will be obsolete.
“Every day that Jack gets, that is one day closer,” McLoone said.
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider said that when hospital representatives approached him about the initiative, several factors appealed to him, specifically the focus on cancer in general.
Schneider said he doesn’t understand why there is competition to secure cancer research funding for different types of cancer.
“This fall, I was at a high school football game and everyone was wearing pink because it was breast cancer awareness. Is breast cancer more important than colon cancer? Is it more important than pancreatic cancer?” Schneider asked.
“Cancer patients don’t care what type it is. They want treatment, they want help, and that’s part of what this program is saying.”
In addition to the Promenade of Hope, the medical center will host a series of events through Labor Day. From September to November, the campaign will consist of additional cancer-related activities and events, as well as an indoor display, in keeping with the months dedicated to pediatric, prostate and breast cancer awareness.
Funds raised through these programs will help supplement existing initiatives that improve the lives of patients at the Leon Hess and the Valerie Fund centers at Monmouth Medical Center.
To submit a ribbon of honor or learn more about the campaign, visit www.rollouttheribbons.com.