Bridgewater To Turn Teal For Ovarian Cancer Awareness

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — During the month of September, teal ribbons will be tied on trees at the Municipal Complex, in public parks and school campuses throughout the Township in an effort to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.

Along with that Mayor Dan Hayes endorsed an official proclamation that recognizes September as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and announced the Township’s “Together Teal” Advocacy Campaign.

The campaign was built on the vision of Renee Edwards, a local ovarian cancer awareness advocate, in response to her own battle with the disease. The campaign continues in 2017 in her honor.

Community participants, designated as “volun-teals,” will tie teal ribbons throughout the Township and hand out educational materials that list potential symptoms and risk factors linked to ovarian cancer.

The “Together Teal” Campaign will also host an open house that has been scheduled to take place in the foyer of the Bridgewater Municipal Complex on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The open house will feature a panoramic display of teal ribbons called “Blaze of Teal” in recognition of individuals that have been touched by ovarian cancer. Residents that would like to include the name of a loved one that has been impacted by the disease can submit further information to the Township Division of Health by email at health@bridgewaternj.gov or via telephone at 908-725- 5750. The individual’s name will be included in the display on a personalized teal ribbon specifically designed for the event at no cost.

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States. If detected in its early stages, survival from ovarian cancer is 90-95 percent. Subtle symptoms such as bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, back pain, unusual fatigue and persistent gastrointestinal upsets may be signs and if persistent should be brought to the attention of a gynecologist.

(Image via Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos)

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