POTSDAM -- The St. Lawrence County Health Initiative has been awarded $1,125,000 funding for a new five-year cancer prevention program from the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Cancer Prevention and Control.

The new program will cover St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, and Oswego counties. The St. Lawrence County Health Initiative will partner with Oswego County Opportunities to serve Oswego County.

“The Health Initiative’s mission is to improve health through collaborative efforts. Our relationship with Oswego County Opportunities is exciting because it will allow us to expand the reach and impact of the Cancer Prevention project”, said Patricia Hogle, project coordinator.

The focus of the new project will be: raise awareness of the dangers of UV exposure from the sun and indoor tanning beds; work with local employers to provide a cancer screening paid time off benefit to employees; educate parents, young adults, teens, and providers on the importance of the HPV vaccine as cancer prevention.

“Oswego County Opportunities is looking forward to collaborating with the St. Lawrence Health Initiative for the Cancer Prevention in Action grant to deliver community education and boost awareness surrounding UV exposure, the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention, and paid time off for cancer screenings. Our organizations make a rather dynamic team”, said Leanna Cleveland, Program Coordinator.

For more information, contact Patricia Hogle at 315-261-4760 ext.235, patti@gethealthyslc.org or visit gethealthyslc.org.