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Contact: Doug Harris
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Elizabeth Mayor Shares Personal Experiences at Trinitas Colorectal Cancer Seminar
Stresses Importance of Screenings for those Over 50

Elizabeth, New Jersey--Mayor J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth put a public face on the issue of colorectal cancer awareness when he served as a speaker at a recent seminar on the topic held at Trinitas Hospital. The event was held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society’s Colorectal Cancer Awareness month in March.

The Mayor spoke candidly about how his father’s death, at an early age due to colorectal cancer, was the reason why he sought out a colorectal cancer screening prior to the age of 50. He told the audience that since there was a family history of the disease, he chose to be proactive, sought out the medical attention he needed and, as a result, has undergone four colonoscopies.

In addition to remarks from the Mayor, seminar attendees received information from Ramon Ledon, MD, gastroenterologist, Jose Sabogal, MD, internist, Natasha Coleman of the American Cancer Society, and two colon cancer survivors, Bob Shechner and Mike Chengeri. Each speaker underscored the key messages that the American Cancer Society is highlighting in its education program for 2006: colorectal cancer is the most preventable and curable of all cancers; more than half of all colorectal cancers can be prevented with lifestyle changes, such a getting exercise and eating a healthy diet, and regular screenings for people over the age of 50 are extremely important for the reduction of the incidence and mortality of colon cancer.

In addition to his personal appearance at the seminar, Mayor Bollwage also interviewed Drs. Ledon and Sabogal and Trinitas staff members, Nancy Boukhaled, and Millet Miller, RN, on his weekly cable television show, “Our City.” These interviews again stressed the importance of awareness of the disease, colorectal screenings for those over 50, and diet and exercise as ways to prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer.

“Mayor Bollwage performed a valuable public service for the people of Elizabeth and surrounding communities by stepping forward to share his personal experiences,” said Gary S. Horan, FACHE, President & CEO of Trinitas Hospital, adding that “The Mayor’s explanation of his determination to obtain regular colorectal screenings went a long way toward urging people to be proactive about the disease, to schedule appropriate screenings after age 50, and to include preventive measures in their lifestyle.”

About Trinitas Hospital
Trinitas Hospital is a full service healthcare facility and a Catholic teaching hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, serving those who live and work in Eastern and Central Union County. It is the result of the merger of Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital in January, 2000. Operating on two major campuses, Trinitas Hospital offers 531 beds, including a 120-bed long-term care center. Trinitas Hospital provides comprehensive medical/surgical services, emergency services, senior services, adult and child/adolescent psychiatric care, cardiac care, cancer services, renal services, maternal/child health services including a high-risk newborn nursery, inpatient pediatric care, diabetes management center, a wound healing center, and a sleep disorders center.