QUEENS TIPublished forM the BoroughES of Queens VOLUME 24, NO. 46 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 25 CENTS American Lung Association’s ‘State Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato of Lung Cancer’ 2019 Report Finds Attends Veterans Day Observance Ceremony New York Tied for Best 5-year Survival Rate of Lung Cancer Second annual report from American Lung Association ex- plores how states can act to save more lives, support patients and families facing lung cancer Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of women and men in the United States. It’s estimated that 13,380 New Yorkers will be diagnosed with this disease in 2019 alone, but fortunately more Americans than ever are surviving the disease according to a new report from the American Lung Association, with New York lead- ing the nation for 5-Year Survival rates. The annual “State of Lung Cancer” report examines the toll of lung cancer throughout the nation, and outlines steps every state can take to better protect its residents from lung cancer. This year’s “State of Lung Cancer” seeks to continue the positive trend of increased lung cancer survival, as the nationwide five-year lung cancer survival rate of 21.7%, up from 17.2% a decade ago, reflects (Continued on page 2) Queens Artist Art Display at Hofstra University Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) attended Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s annual Veterans Day Observance Ceremony. The ceremony was located within Queens Borough hall at the Helen Marshall Cultural Center. Katz honored Staff Sergeant Raymond Ramos- New York Army National Guard, Sergeant James W. Sessoms, Jr.- United States Marine Corps, and Sergeant First Class Loretta Z. Weiss- United States Army. ADA Christina Mary Stephens Honored With the Hal Miller Weinstein Memorial Award Riley, a Queens Artist, held her As you view each piece take the Art Display at Hofstra University time to understand the different naming this series “Focuses on story each piece tells you. You only Observing”. The Artist believes have a limited amount of informa- that in our lives we see hundreds tion to figure out what’s happening. of people each day, and most we I hope that this gets you to be a little will never see again; such as people more curious. shopping for groceries, cops on Riley is a senior Psychology patrol, firefighters fighting fires, major with minors in Fine Arts hearing loud noises or maybe an and Human Services. When she’s argument from inside of a house. not working one of her three jobs, What if we could pause these mo- she’s either in her studio space or Queens Acting District Attorney honors first-year Assistant District Attorney with 29th ments and really take in what’s her house working on art. While annual Hal Miller Weinstein award Queens Acting District Attorney John M. Ryan named happening? If we could freeze that she does experiment with all kinds Assistant District Attorney Christina M. Stephens as the recipient of the 29th Annual Hal moment in our lives would we learn of mediums, most of her works are Miller Weinstein Memorial Award. Bestowed annually, this award is presented to first-year more about those strangers the one done either with ink or graphite. assistants whose work exemplifies the memory of former Assistant District Attorney Hal time we pass them by on the street? You can follow her on Instagram: Miller Weinstein, who died in a horrific car crash during the first year of his tenure as a Would it help us to learn something @cyberneticarts. See other photos prosecutor. Joining Acting DA in presenting the award were (l-r) Hal’s brother, Lloyd, an that could help us in our lives? on page 7. attorney and Hal’s uncle, recently retired Queens Supreme Court Justice Jeremy S. Weinstein. One Edition for ALL of Queens! Visit our website at www.queenstimes.com PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 American Lung Association’s ‘State of Lung Cancer’ 2019 Report Finds New York Tied for Best 5-year Survival Rate of Lung Cancer (Continued from page 1) Mount Sinai Hospital said, “This • Surgical Treatment: Lung simple test - lung cancer screen- cancer can often be treated with a 26% improvement over the past ing - is a powerful tool to save surgery if it is diagnosed at an early 10 years. In New York State the lives, and yet we’re only seeing stage and has not spread widely. survival rate is 26.4%, tying Con- a fraction of those who qualify Nationally, 20.6 % of cases un- necticut for the best 5-year survival actually getting screened. We are derwent surgery. New York ranks rates in the country. working to bring more awareness among highest at 27%. “While we celebrate that more of screenings to the general public, • Lack of Treatment: There are Americans than ever are surviving but also to continue to push the multiple reasons why patients may lung cancer, the disease remains medical community to offer these not receive treatment. Some of the leading cause of cancer deaths, screenings to high risk patients, the these reasons may be unavoidable, and much more can and must be same way they encourage tests like but no one should go untreated be- done in New York State to prevent colonoscopies and mammograms” cause of lack of provider or patient the disease and support families The “State of Lung Cancer” 2019 knowledge, stigma associated with facing a lung cancer diagnosis,” report finds that the burden of lung lung cancer, fatalism after diagno- said Carla Sterling, Executive cancer varies on a state by state sis, or cost of treatment. Nationally, Director for the American Lung basis. By better understanding the about 15.4% of cases receive no Association in metro New York. impact of lung cancer across the treatment. New York ranks 16.1% “While we are ahead of the curve nation, efforts and policies can be of cases do not receive treatment, for survival rates, early detection focused where the needs are great- giving it a worse than average and surgery – we can do better est, and this year’s report finds ranking. when it comes to encouraging high New York State can and must do • Screening and Prevention: risk patients to seek lung cancer more to protect residents from lung Screening for lung cancer with screenings – which would save cancer. Below are the key findings annual low-dose CT scans among even more lives.” for New York: those who qualify can reduce the Part of the reason that lung • Survival: Lung cancer has one of lung cancer death rate by up to cancer is so deadly is because most the lowest five-year survival rates 20%. Nationally, only 4.2% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at because cases are often diagnosed those who qualify were screened. a later stage, after the disease has at later stages when it is less likely New York State ranked below aver- spread. Lung cancer screening is to be curable. New York ranks #1 age with 3.6%. the key to early detection, when along with Connecticut. Learn more about “State of Lung the disease is most curable, but • Early Diagnosis: Nationally, Cancer” at Lung.org/solc. For me- only 21.5% of lung cancer cases only 21.5 % of cases are diagnosed dia interested in speaking with a nationally are diagnosed at an early at an early stage when the five- medical expert about the “State of stage. While this simple screening year survival rate is much higher Lung Cancer” 2019 report or lung test has been available since 2015, (57.7%). Unfortunately, about cancer survivor about their experi- only 3.6% of those eligible in New 48.5% of cases are not caught until ence, contact Jennifer Solomon at York State have been screened. a late stage when the survival rate the American Lung Association Dr. Andrea Wolf, Director of the is only 6%. New York ranks among at [email protected] or Women’s Lung Cancer Program at highest at 24.1%. Subscribe to the 516-680-8927. Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato Attends Bobbi and Queens Times the Strays Kick Off for the “Sponsor a Cage Program Assemblywoman Stacey Phef- Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens fer Amato (D-South Queens) attended the “Sponsor a Case Pro- Just $28.50 per year... and have the paper gram” kick off which was created delivered to your door by US Mail by Bobbi and the Strays and Ross Cellino. The program allows local Please Enter my Subscription For One Year businesses to “Sponsor a Cage” for an animal up for adoption. The Name .............................................................................. purpose of the program is to bring business owners together with Address .......................................................................... the community with the hopes of getting the animals adopted. City..................................................Zip........................... Sponsorships and all donations go Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: directly to Bobbi and the Strays 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 to help provide food, medicine and overall care for the cats and dogs within their shelter. Those who sponsor will get their logo on the cage, and once the animal is adopted, they will receive an updated photo to share of the adopting family. “The work Bobbi and the Published every week by C.T. Publishing Corp. Strays does for our community Executive Office: 108-59 49th Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 and animals is outstanding!” Phef- Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 fer Amato said. “The “Sponsor a Cage” program coordinated with Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 606-8202 Ross Cellino is such a creative Web Site: www.queenstimes.com idea to help our furry friend ad- email: [email protected] opted and I am always excited to opportunity” said Roberta (Bobbi) organization.