Hein and Hansen discuss cancer awareness
KINGSTON — The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health,
Dr. Howard Zucker, visited Kingston Wednesday to deliver a proclamation
from the governor’s office, declaring a statewide brain cancer awareness
day for May 27, “Gray Day.”
“Anyone can get it,” Dr. Zucker warned. “It’s
a terrifying diagnosis and nobody wants to hear it; it affects so many
people,” he said. “Treatments for cancer are advancing, but
preventing cancer is ideal.”
Zucker was joined by Ulster County Executive Michael Hein, Ulster County
Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith, Health Alliance President David Scarpino,
and other officials.
May 27 memorializes the memory of brain cancer victim Gary Lichtenstein,
who died in 2003. His father Mario started a research and support foundation
called Voices Against Brain Cancer, which was recognized in the proclamation.
James “J.J.” Hansen, formerly one of Hein’s top staffers,
was diagnosed last year with grade 4 glioblastoma multiform (GBM), a particularly
aggressive and deadly malignancy. Doctors told him he was inoperable,
with just four months to live.
Hansen’s ongoing battle has succeeded, allowing him to volunteer
last month as director of advocacy and public policy for Voices Against
Brain Cancer, He says the group was instrumental to his survival outcome.
He also runs an Internet journal called You Can’t Hurt Steel.
“Through great medical service, changing our lives, and the grace
of God, I’m here, I’m talking to you, and I’m doing
quite well,” Hansen said. “We’re still fighting against
brain cancer. Unfortunately for some, that’s not the case,”
he noted.
Awareness is the first step to a cure, Hein agreed. “I’ll
be setting up an advisory commission, that will help shape the public
policy on cancer prevention and awareness, to make sure that Ulster County
continues to lead the way in getting it right,” he said.
