Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

Our community has been working together to bring awareness to several causes, particularly breast cancer and pregnancy and infant loss. As I mentioned earlier this month, October plays host to several awareness months that impact women in many ways, and as a community, it’s important to listen and be there for each other.

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among women. In New York City, nearly 1,000 women die from breast cancer, and roughly 6,300 women are newly diagnosed. Women of color, particularly Black and Hispanic women, die at a higher rate, with Hispanic women diagnosed with more aggressive forms of cancer. These statistics are alarming, however, we can prevent the growing number of cases through early detection. This Saturday, the Italian-American Cancer Foundation will be providing no-cost mammograms to women over the age of 40 in front of my office. If you haven’t already, please pre-register for an appointment. Appointments can be made by calling my office today, Friday, October 21 from 9 AM to 5 PM at 718-931-1721 or emailing District13@council.nyc.gov.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss are topics that no one wants to discuss. This is disheartening, and unfortunately, 1-in-4 pregnancies will result in miscarriage or infant loss and 1-in-100 pregnancies at or later than 20 weeks results in stillbirth. We must arm ourselves with the knowledge to ensure we are advocating for ourselves and those at risk for loss. As a reminder, kindness is the best form of medicine.

This week, I ask everyone to check in with their friends, family, or a neighbor. Ask them how they are doing and how you can help support them. You never know what someone is going through; breast cancer and pregnancy loss affect multiple parties, including their spouse, partner, and family members, but are often not vocalized. Together we can end the stigma and bring hope to the forefront in our community.

If you have any questions or would like further information, you can reach out to my office Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at (718) 931-1721 or via email at District13@council.nyc.gov.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all around the district and hope you have a safe weekend!

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez