Father’s Day Celebration Raises Health Awareness

NEWBURGH – Healthfirst, New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurance plan, Friday hosted a Father’s Day celebration at their Newburgh Community Office with the goal of increasing awareness of men’s health issues. In the U.S., the third Sunday each June is Father’s Day, when we celebrate the dads and father figures in our lives. Congress has dubbed the week leading up to Father’s Day as Men’s Health Week—a time to bring awareness to preventable health issues and early detection for men and boys. Healthfirst, together with community partners Newburgh Armory Unity Center, Cornerstone Family Healthcare, and Team Newburgh Community Coalition, welcomed neighbors into the Healthfirst community office, where guests received complimentary haircut vouchers from local barbershop Lion’s Den, refreshments, and free educational resources about men’s health.

Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for men in the U.S. In fact, out of 100 American men, 13 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. “Healthfirst knows that raising awareness about the importance of preventive care is one way that we can ensure more men are able to celebrate Father’s Day,” said Daniel Halevy, M.D., Vice President and Senior Medical Director at Healthfirst. “We encourage all men to visit a healthcare provider at least once a year for a checkup and to ask about health screenings and recommended vaccinations.”

Cornerstone Family Healthcare was on hand to provide blood pressure screenings and assist with basic medical information for attendees. Cultivating Healing and Justice Initiative (CHJI) Support Services Inc., an organization dedicated to helping the community cope with prostate cancer in Orange County, NY, and the Hudson Valley, also participated in the event and provided educational material about prostate cancer screenings.

“We are honored to partner with Healthfirst for the Father’s Day celebration event at their Newburgh community office in honor of Men’s Health Week,” said Luis Abramson, prostate cancer survivor and founder of CHJI Support Services. “Together with Healthfirst, we seek to advocate for equitable healthcare access and education within our communities and help address prostate cancer disparities that exist in Orange County, NY, and the Hudson Valley.”

“Healthfirst is a long-standing partner of the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, and we are excited about the many ways our collaboration is helping to empower our communities with health information and resources,” said Max Cuacuas, Director of Operations for the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. “Father’s Day is a perfect opportunity to have a conversation with your loved one about ways to prioritize their health and seek medical attention if needed.”