E W S R E L E A S E March 4, 2016
Saratoga Hospital Goes Blue to Fight Colorectal Cancer
Employees join national effort to raise awareness of lifesaving screenings
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, March 4, 2016—Saratoga Hospital employees were decked out in blue Friday to deliver a powerful message: Colorectal screenings save lives.The hospital participated in national Dress in Blue Day to commemorate March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. To underscore the importance of colorectal screenings—and Saratoga Hospital’s commitment to reducing cases of colorectal cancer—hospital President and CEO Angelo Calbone signed the “80% by 2018” pledge.
The pledge is an initiative of the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. The goal is to increase screening rates over the next two years to 80% for adults age 50 and over. Studies show that achieving that goal could prevent 200,000 colorectal cancer deaths over the next two decades.
“Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable, provided you have regular screenings,” Calbone said. “As Saratoga County’s leading healthcare provider, it’s only fitting for Saratoga Hospital to take the lead in raising awareness and promoting screening services.”
Heidi Kelley, Director of Same Day Surgery and Endoscopy at Saratoga Hospital, added, “In addition to the two endoscopy rooms currently up and running, and with our new endoscopy procedure room about to come on line, we can now improve access for colorectal screenings.” The new endoscopy room is part of the hospital’s ongoing $34 million renovation and expansion.
For those who are underinsured, Saratoga Hospital offers free screenings through the Cancer Services Program of Saratoga County. For more information about these free screenings please call 518-580-2132.
According to the CDC, among cancers that affect men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. But the disease is highly preventable by getting screened beginning at age 50.
The hospital participated in national Dress in Blue Day to commemorate March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. To underscore the importance of colorectal screenings—and Saratoga Hospital’s commitment to reducing cases of colorectal cancer—hospital President and CEO Angelo Calbone signed the “80% by 2018” pledge.
About Saratoga Hospital: Saratoga Hospital is the Saratoga region’s leading healthcare provider. The only acute-care facility in Saratoga County, the hospital has a medical staff of over 450 physicians and other credentialed providers, offering care in a broad range of medical specialties. In keeping with its emphasis on quality, Saratoga Hospital was the first in the Capital Region to earn Magnet Designation for nursing excellence. Hospital facilities include: Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Hospital Nursing Home, Wilton Medical Arts, Saratoga Surgery Center, Milton Health Center, Saratoga Community Health Center and the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center. The hospital’s physician practice, Saratoga Regional Medical Group, includes physicians in the following specialties: cardiology, dentistry, endocrinology, family medicine, hematology/oncology, internal medicine, nephrology, neurology, occupational medicine, oncology, pain management, physiatry, podiatry, primary care, psychiatry, pulmonary medicine, surgery and urology.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter Hopper
Director of Marketing and Communications
518-583-8679
phopper@saratogahospital.org