Together with Legislator Steven J. Flotteron a 501c3 Women and Men Against Breast Cancer organization was formed with the mission to increase awareness and educate residents on the signs and symptoms of Prostate Cancer. Earlier in 2019, Legislator Flotteron passed a resolution that in Suffolk County September will be Prostate Awareness Month and the H. Lee Dennison Executive Office Building will be lit in blue from September 17 through the 19th.
“There is not enough awareness about Prostate cancer,” said Dr. Atalla. “Guys don’t talk enough and spouses need to encourage men to share if they are having issues and seek medical attention with a urologist.”
For the past 30 years West Islip resident Lorraine Pace has been devoted to the fight against cancer which included the nationally recognized mapping of breast cancer on Long Island. After her husband, John, passed away from Prostate cancer, she and her daughters, Lisa and Joanna, turned their focus on awareness and screening.
“My father donated 25 years of free legal advice during the mapping project and beyond, said Lisa Pace. “When we lost him unnecessarily to Prostate cancer, I promised to donate 25 years of free legal work to educate people on the signs and symptoms of this very curable disease.”
The organization developed an informational website, literature handouts and are partnering with Good Samaritan Hospital offering a free screening day, September 26th from 6-8pm at the Radiation Oncology Center (by appointment only). For more information and to register, please call (631) 376-4444.
Pictured (L-R): Chris Atalla, MD, Medical Director, Good Samaritan Hospital; Joanna Galia, Esq.; Lorraine Pace, Gabrielle Baich and Gianna Pace-Liggio; Julia Mavellia, Lisa Pace, Esq.; Dominick Mavellia, Valerie Burger, RN, Assistant Vice President Cancer Services Eastern Region Hospitals, Northwell Health; Heather Maher and Legislator Steven J. Flotteron.