In recognition of Teen Cancer Awareness Week, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh; Giselle and Mario DiNatale, of Voorhees, Camden County - founders of the Alicia Rose “Victorious” Foundation; Dr. Robert S. DiPaola, Director The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ); Miss Teen New Jersey World 2010, and other dignitaries will talk about the unique social and medical challenges facing teens with cancer at CINJ.  They will also meet with teenage cancer patients at CINJ’s Alicia Rose Teen Lounge. 

CINJ’s Alicia Rose Teen Lounge was established in 2005 with help from The Alicia Rose “Victorious” Foundation that was created after 17 year-old Alicia Rose DiNatale of Voorhees died of cancer in 2002.

Where: 

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey,

195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2681

Formal remarks will be delivered in the CINJ auditorium, followed by a visit to the CINJ Alicia Rose Teen Lounge.

When:

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 – 1:00 p.m.

Teenage Cancer Statistics in New Jersey:

• Among NJ adolescents 15-19 years old, there were 3,472 cases of cancer diagnosed from 1979-2006.  About 124 cases are diagnosed each year

• The most common cancers in this age group were lymphoma, leukemia, and brain and other nervous system.  This contrasts with childhood cancer, where leukemia, brain and other central nervous system cancers, lymphoma and neuroblastoma predominate

• Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among young people ages 15-19 and 15-29 (after injuries, homicide and suicide), and the leading cause of death from disease (based on 2007 provisional data.)