Dear Editor:
I am writing to you as a 13-year old resident to promote awareness of the Hoboken Family planning organization for my Bar Mitzvah project. A Bar Mitzvah project is an effort made by a Jewish child who is becoming a Bar Mitzvah to take on the responsibilities of a Jewish adult and help others in their community.
Hoboken family planning is an organization that provides cancer screenings for low income residents, in addition to contraceptive services for women and HIV tests for men and women. In any given year, Hoboken family planning administers 3,500 cancer screenings. Over their 42 years in our community, this important organization has discovered 154 intrusive cancers, saving numerous lives. Hoboken Family Planning not only offers screenings but also helps patients to find the treatments they may need and the benefits they may quality for to ensure that they receive proper treatment.
My family has experience with cancer. Unfortunately my grandfather passed away last year from colon cancer. He was only 75. By the time he realized he was sick, he was diagnosed as stage four. His experience has shown me how important cancer screenings are.
In his honor, I am working on this project to ensure that as many people as possible can receive much needed screenings. Hoboken Family Planning was hard hit by Hurricane Sandy, and they lost state funding. They have now moved back into the multiservice center to provide their important medical services for our community.
I am asking everyone to donate to the Hoboken Family Planning in honor of a loved one, friend or colleague who has struggled with cancer. Donations can be dropped off at Hoboken Family Planning, 124 Grand Street, or mailed to the same address.
Thank you for your support of this important community organization.
Alex Grossbard