THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

Adam In Albany: Assembly Passes Drunk Driving Legislation.

Posted on June 20, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th Assembly District. June 19, 2004: The Assembly recently passed a driving safety package that cracks down on serious driving offenders and improves safety on New York’s roads.

Dangerous drivers can cause accidents that injure and kill people close to us. The Assembly’s legislation will help prevent accidents by increasing penalties for unsafe driving. The package would also implement measures to help motorists reach their destinations safely.

Making drunk drivers pay

Those who drive under the influence of alcohol would face stiffer penalties under the Assembly’s legislation (A.773-C). Drivers with a blood-alcohol content of 0.20 percent or higher would be charged with the new crime of “aggravated DWI.” Those convicted would face twice the fines and loss of license periods as those levied against first-time DWI offenders. Commercial drivers charged with aggravated DWI would face a more serious charge than regular motorists. School bus drivers would face up to seven years in prison instead of the current penalty of up to four years.

The Assembly’s plan also cracks down on DWI offenders by:

· providing mandatory alcohol assessment and treatment for appropriate offenders;

· increasing the penalty for vehicular manslaughter from up to seven years in prison to a maximum of 15 years for defendants where two or more people were killed or where there were previous DWI-related convictions;

· doubling the loss of license period for those who refuse a chemical test from 6 months to a year on a first offense, and from 12 months to 18 months for a subsequent offense; and

· revoking the licenses of serious repeat DWI offenders.

Too many of our loved ones have had their lives impacted by drunk drivers. The Assembly’s legislation sends a clear message that New York does not tolerate drinking and driving. It’s a serious crime with very serious consequences.

Cracking down on dangerous drivers

As part of the package of legislation, the Assembly passed two bills I sponsored to punish unsafe motorists by:

· charging drivers with multiple convictions for serious traffic offenses who cause a fatal accident with the new crime of “vehicular homicide,” which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison (A.11352); and

· directing district attorneys to use special unit state police to provide accident reconstruction assistance, and requiring DAs to designate at least one assistant DA as a vehicular crimes prosecutor (A.11453).

These measures give law enforcement officials enhanced power to protect us from unsafe drivers. Hopefully, this legislation will also send the message to aggressive motorists that New York State isn’t the place to drive recklessly.

Keeping New York’s roads safe

To improve driver safety, I sponsored legislation to:

· apply the same stringent laws now applicable to school bus drivers to the drivers of pre-school and nursery school children as well (A.11393);

· require trucks and tractor trailers weighing over 18,000 pounds to be equipped with convex mirrors – which improve the driver’s sight range – on the front of the vehicle (A.9971-A);

Punishing dangerous drivers and adopting common-sense measures will improve road safety. I urge the Senate and the governor to follow the Assembly’s lead and pass this legislation.

White Plains Hospital to Hold Annual Golf Outing July 19

Posted on June 20, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Thompson & Bender. June 14, 2004: White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) will hold its Second Annual Golf Outing and Dinner to benefit the Hospital on Monday, July 19 at the Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale. The event is being sponsored by Sidney E. Frank Importing Co. Inc., of New Rochelle and Community Counseling Service Co., Inc., of New York City. All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Hospital.

The Golf Outing begins with registration at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:00 a.m. Tee off, shotgun, starts at 1:00 p.m. The dinner and awards presentation will take place at 6:00 p.m. For more information or reservations, please contact Tricia Laine at (914) 681-2264 or [email protected].

Jonathan F. Spitalny of Harrison, WPHC Board Member and Sidney P. Zimmerman, M.D., a cardiologist and internist, of Rye, and are this year’s Golf Outing Co-Chairs. The Golf Outing Benefit Committee includes: Richard Carr of Scarsdale, Ossie Dahl of Cortlandt Manor, Charles N. Glassman, M.D. of Scarsdale, Wayne Eisman, M.D. of Scarsdale, John Frank of Stamford, CT, Stuart T. Nevins, M.D. of White Plains, Peter Nisselson of Mamaroneck, and David Wiener of White Plains.

Ticket prices range from $150 to $6,000. They include:

Diamond Circle, $6,000

q Foursome, including lunch and dinner

q Four extra passes for dinner

q Acknowledgement in Tournament Program

q Diamond Circle signage on course

Silver Circle, $3,500

q Two players, including lunch and dinner

q Two extra passes for dinner

q Acknowledgement in Tournament Program

q Silver signage on course

Foursome for Golf, $5,000

q Includes lunch, dinner and golf for four

Golf for One, $1,250

q Includes lunch, dinner and golf for four

Summer Non-Golf Package, $500

q Includes lunch, tennis, pool usage and dinner

Dinner Only, $150

Sponsorship and Underwriting levels range from $50,000 for Event Sponsor to a Tournament Program ad for $1,000.

White Plains Hospital Center is a voluntary, not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of offering high quality, acute health care and preventative medical care in a caring and compassionate manner to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. The Hospital will provide care and services without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. For the third time, the Hospital is the winner of the National Research Corporation “Consumer Choice Award” for Westchester County. WPHC is an affiliate of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and a member of Stellaris Health Network, Inc. and Voluntary Hospitals of America, Inc. For further information, please call (914) 681-1119 or visit the Hospital’s website: www.wphospital.org.[]

The Prostate Cancer Primer: Cancer Society Advises Dads

Posted on June 20, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR HEALTH NOTES. From Nadine Baker, American Cancer Society. June 14, 2004: The American Cancer Society has just before Father’s Day released some facts all men should be aware of regarding prostate health, and how prostate cancer must be checked for as men approach middle age:

Prostate cancer is a malignancy that develops from the cells of the
prostate gland. The prostate is a male sex gland about the size of a walnut
located underneath the bladder.

· In 2004, an estimated 230,110 new cases of prostate cancer will be
diagnosed in the United States. An estimated 29,900 men will die of
prostate cancer in 2004.

· This year 14,470 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in New
York State; 1,880 New York men will die from the disease.

· Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men
(second to lung cancer).

· Prostate cancer is slow-growing in the majority of men who have it. Most
men who have it will die with prostate cancer rather than from prostate
cancer. In other words, most will die from other causes.

Risk Factors

· Age: The incidence of prostate cancer increases with age. More than 70
percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over age 65.

· Race: African American men have the highest prostate cancer incidence
rates in the world; they are twice as likely to die from the disease as
white men.

· Family History: Men with close family members (father or brother) who
have had prostate cancer are more likely to get it themselves, especially
if their relatives were young when they got the disease.

· Diet: Men who eat high-fat diets, particularly animal fat, may have a
greater chance of developing prostate cancer.

Symptoms

Prostate cancer can remain symptomless for years, and most cases of early
prostate cancer cause no symptoms. Men should talk with their doctors if
they have questions or are experiencing any symptoms that concern them,
such as:

· Frequent urination
· Inability to urinate, or difficulty starting or holding back urination
· Weak or interrupted urine flow
· Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
· Blood in urine
· Pain or burning on urination

Testing/Detection

· The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal
exam (DRE) are commonly used methods to detect prostate cancer. Both are
recommended by the American Cancer Society for men who choose to be tested.

· PSA blood test measures a substance made by the prostate called
prostate-specific antigen – the higher the level, the more likely cancer is
present.

· DRE exams involve inserting a rubber-gloved, lubricated finger into the
rectum to feel for lumps on or enlargement of the prostate.

· Men age 50 and older should discuss prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
testing and digital rectal exams (DREs) yearly with their health care
providers.

· Men at high risk, such as African Americans or men who have a history of
prostate cancer in a first-degree relative (father or brother) should begin
annual testing with the DRE and PSA blood test at age 45.

Common Treatments

· Radical prostatectomy surgery removes the prostate, local lymph nodes,
and some surrounding tissue.

· Radiation therapy is delivered by external beam or implanted radioactive
seeds (brachytherapy) to destroy the DNA of cancer cells, interfering with
their ability to reproduce.

· Hormone therapy alters hormone levels to shrink the size of the tumor.

· “Watchful waiting” makes use of careful observation without immediate
treatment.

Possible Side Effects from Treatment

· Impotence: This is a fairly common treatment complication, and the
likelihood of developing it depends upon several factors including the
patient’s age, other medical conditions, and the method of treatment.

· Incontinence: Several types of incontinence (loss of urinary or bowel
control) can occur, and each has slightly different symptoms. Incontinence
may be occasional, mild, frequent, or severe.

· Treatment of side effects: Various medical and surgical options exist for
treating impotence and incontinence.

Survival

· The five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is 98 percent.

· Eighty-six percent of all prostate cancers are found in the local and
regional stages; the five-year relative survival rate for patients whose
tumors are diagnosed at these stages is nearly 100 percent.

· Eighty-four percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer survive at
least 10 years or longer.

· Fifty-six percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer survive at least
15 years or longer.

The American Cancer Society and Prostate Cancer

· From 1997-99, the American Cancer Society awarded approximately $25.3
million for prostate cancer research, more than the Society had spent in
this area in the previous 15 years combined. In 2002, the Society awarded
19 new prostate cancer research grants totaling $8.1 million. As of January
1, 2004, the Society had 64 grants in effect totaling $32.5 million to
support prostate cancer research.

· The American Cancer Society offers several programs for men and their
families who have been affected by prostate cancer, including Man to Man®,
a prostate cancer education and support program offering information to men
and their partners in a comfortable setting.

· The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary
health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health
problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from
cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

· For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345
or visit www.cancer.org.

Ticking Time Bomb In the Prostate: Men Whistle Past Graveyard.

Posted on June 19, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR HEALTH NOTES. From Nadine Baker, American Cancer Society. June 19, 2004: For men and their loved ones, two of the many issues surrounding prostate cancer are fear and confusion. In fact, recent news coverage has centered on the debate surrounding the benefits and limitations associated with prostate cancer testing and treatment.

According to the American Cancer Society, the nation’s leading voluntary health organization, more than 230,000 men in the United States – 14,470 in New York – will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.

“Facing these decisions can be difficult, and it’s even harder for men who try to make them alone,” said Ralph B. Vance, MD, FACP, national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society. “Providing patients with the latest testing and treatment information based on years of research helps men take a more active role in their own health care and guides them through the decision-making process.”

The American Cancer Society encourages all men to:

· Get as much information about prostate health as they can.

· Talk with their doctor to determine their personal risk for prostate
cancer.

· Understand all available testing and treatment options so they can make
informed decisions.

· Contact the American Cancer Society for information about all aspects of
prostate cancer 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Many African American men don’t realize they are at higher risk for prostate cancer and are twice as likely to die from the disease as other American men. And for all men, age and family history are risk factors. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 29,000 men in the United States will die from the disease this year – 1,880 in New York–accounting for approximately 10 percent of all male cancer-related deaths.

That’s why the American Cancer Society strongly urges universal access to and education about prostate screening options. The Society recommends both the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) for men who decide to be tested. Once diagnosed, the prognosis for any prostate cancer patient depends on the extent of the cancer, the course of treatment selected and other individual factors.

In August 2000, the American Cancer Society updated its prostate cancer early detection guidelines. Changes to the guidelines were based on consensus reached by a panel of leading medical experts, scientists, advocates and interested members of the public who conducted a comprehensive review of current research. As more men were tested and the implications of testing and treatment became more widely studied, the need for men to understand the debate on prostate cancer testing and treatment became apparent.

The current American Cancer Society guidelines are recommendations, not rules. Written for both doctors and the public, the guidelines are flexible in order to accommodate individual medical and personal needs, and are subject to revision based on new research evidence. They are:

· Men 50 and older should be offered early detection tests (PSA and DRE)
annually.

· Men at high risk (family history, African Americans) should begin early
detection testing (PSA and DRE) at age 45.

· Prior to testing, all men should be provided with information about the
benefits and limitations of testing.

“Given the implications of early detection testing, the American Cancer Society encourages men to consider it carefully,” said Jean LePere, American Cancer Society director of healthcare systems and worksite= initiatives. “Some men who get tested may benefit from early detection and treatment, thereby living longer, but other men may have complications from treatment without achieving any significant benefit. The American Cancer Society also believes it is reasonable to caution medical professionals that screening men with less than a 10-year life expectancy may be unnecessary.”

In addition to funding research and recommending screening guidelines, the American Cancer Society provides Man to Man, a confidential, educational and support program that enables prostate cancer survivors to
get the information they need to resume active, productive lives. Group programs and individual volunteers support, as well as provide non-medical information on treatment options and side effects. Man to Man meetings are held in Westchester County once a month, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Northern Westchester Hospital, 400 East Main Street, Mount Kisco, facilitated by Jeffrey Gershen. For further information regarding dates of
the meetings, and to register, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.