Morris Township issues ovarian and prostate cancer awareness proclamations; a survivor urges action

The Morris Township Committee on Sept. 17 adopted proclamations recognizing September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and heard a survivor’s testimony.

Mayor Donna Garriglia read statistics attributed to the American Cancer Society for 2025, saying that an estimated 20,890 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer nationwide and 12,730 will die from the disease, including an estimated 670 new cases and 340 deaths in New Jersey. The mayor said the township joins survivors, families and health professionals in promoting awareness and support.

Rachael, an ovarian cancer survivor invited to speak, described being diagnosed at age 38 with stage 3a low-grade serous ovarian cancer. "At age 38, I was diagnosed with stage 3a low grade serous ovarian cancer," she said, recounting a five-year survivorship and the disease’s high recurrence rate. She urged earlier detection, more research, and support for survivors, and dedicated the proclamation to a friend who died of the disease.

Committeeman Gravitz read the prostate cancer proclamation and emphasized the importance of screening: "Don't wait. Know the symptoms. Talk to your doctor," he said, noting prostate cancer is most common in older men and can be treatable when caught early.

The committee encouraged residents to participate in awareness activities and to seek preventive care. No binding policy or budget action was associated with the proclamations; they are ceremonial recognitions to support public-health outreach.

Next steps: the township invited the survivor and advocates to return each September and encouraged related outreach through health and senior-services events.