John Theurer Cancer Center at HackensackUMC Presents Governor Christie with 2013 Leadership Award

HACKENSACK, N.J., July 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, one of the nation's top 50 cancer centers, presented Governor Chris Christie with the 2013 Leadership Award during a ceremony Tuesday, July 2 honoring the Governor for his contributions in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130702/DC42334)

"Increasing access to high-quality cancer treatment services for New Jerseyans has been a top priority of my Administration," said Governor Christie. "The John Theurer Cancer Center at HackensackUMC is one of the nation's top centers for cancer care and has provided extraordinary treatment to countless New Jersey residents living with cancer. I am honored to receive this award and accept it on behalf of the real heroes in the fight against cancer - our residents with cancer and their families, who every day face the physical and emotional pain that this disease brings. I am proud of the work our state has done in the fight to eradicate cancer and I vow to continue fighting to defeat cancer in New Jersey."

"We are honored to recognize Governor Christie's commitment to the citizens of New Jersey," said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of the Hackensack University Health Network. "Governor Christie has fostered an environment that encourages collaboration to benefit and grow the healthcare industry in this state.  The Hackensack University Health Network has benefitted from this type of environment through our groundbreaking clinical, academic and research partnerships with world-renowned organizations, such as MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Georgetown University School of Medicine and the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. We strongly believe these partnerships will allow for greater patient access to innovative clinical trials and accelerate research to improve outcomes, creating numerous possibilities for our researchers, physicians and nurses, and most importantly, our patients."

Among the nation's top 50 U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals for cancer – the highest-ranked in New Jersey with this designation – the John Theurer Cancer Center's annual Leadership Award recognizes public officials for their efforts in the fight to eradicate cancer.

"Governor Christie's accomplishments in the prevention and treatment of cancer that are recognized today have enabled thousands of cancer patients to gain greater access to treatment and care," said Andrew Pecora, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.P.E., chief innovations officer, professor, and vice president of Cancer Services, John Theurer Cancer Center and president of Regional Cancer Care Associates. "John Theurer Cancer Center is an award-winning cancer center with innovative collaborations including our affiliation with Georgetown University, which allows us to continue to advance the field forward and improve patient outcomes beyond the borders of each institution."

Governor Christie's support has included funding for the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection Program (NJCEED) and legislation expanding health insurance coverage for oral cancer drugs.

"As both a regional and national leader in cancer care, John Theurer Cancer Center applauds Governor Christie's actions to improve prevention, screening and treatments for cancer," said Andre Goy M.D., M.S., chairman and director, and chief of lymphoma, John Theurer Cancer Center and chief science officer and director of research and innovation of Regional Cancer Care Associates. "Support from our elected officials is instrumental to ensure patient access to innovative treatments and we are pleased to honor Governor Christie with this award."

This year, under Governor Christie's leadership, the NJCEED program budget was increased $3.5 million to $12 million in the current fiscal year. Over the last five years, the program has helped 42,000 women and provided more than 67,800 mammograms. The increased funding will provide screening for an additional 4,800 women. NJCEED provides comprehensive outreach, education and screening services for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancers.(1)

As a result of Governor Christie's legislative efforts, New Jersey cancer patients will get the same health insurance coverage for oral cancer drugs sold as prescription medications and taken in their own home as opposed to chemotherapy drugs delivered intravenously at healthcare facilities.  The legislation was supported by the American Cancer Society officials from New York and New Jersey who recognize that oral drugs are the wave of the future in cancer care and offer patients distinct advantages over traditional intravenous chemotherapy, including the fact that they are targeted therapies which attack only the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells alone.(2)

(1)http://www.state.nj.us/health/news/2013/approved/20130404a.html 
(2) http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0117/2215/

About John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center
John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is among the nation's top 50 U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals for cancer – the highest-ranked in New Jersey with this designation. It is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive cancer center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, preventive care, as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancer.

Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey. The 14 specialized divisions feature a team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. John Theurer Cancer Center provides comprehensive multidisciplinary care, state of the art technology, access to clinical trials, compassionate care and medical expertise—all under one roof. Physicians at John Theurer Cancer Center are members of Regional Cancer Care Associates one of the nation's largest professional hematology/oncology groups. For more information please visit jtcancercenter.org.

SOURCE Hackensack University Medical Center