COUNCILMEMBERS VISIT CANCER CENTER:

Pictured are Councilmembers David Weprin, James Gennaro, Speaker Quinn, Dr. Margaret Kemeny, QCC’s Director, Antonio Martin and Chris Constantino, far right, Executive Directors of Queens and Elmhurst Hospital Centers and former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman standing between the two directors.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn visited Councilmember James Gennaro’s district for the first time last week and was given a tour of the Queens Cancer Center at the Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica.

Also in the tour group were Councilmember David Weprin (D–Hollis) and former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, who was a driving force behind the hospital’s $149 million modernization several years ago.

The cancer center is well known for its vital early diagnosis and treatment. Gennaro (D–Fresh Meadows) noted, “Late stage diagnoses in Queens are two to three times higher than the national average, causing increasing numbers of local deaths. Many cancers, including breast and prostate cancers, are easily detected early on—which is why the ‘Queens Campaign Against Cancer’ is such an important contribution to our community.”

Quinn noted, “The initiative the Queens Cancer Center has taken to promote early detection and treatment is vital to the Queens community.”

Quinn also noted that the Queens Cancer Center is headed by Director Dr. Margaret Kemeny, one of the few female surgical oncologists in the United States. The center is the only public comprehensive cancer facility in the tri-state area.