Prostate Cancer Is Focus of Parsippany Night Out

The Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Parsippany Area Visitor Center are partnering to bring attention to prostate cancer, which kills about 32,050 men in the U.S. each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

On Feb. 4, the groups present the first annual Parsippany Night Out, which will be held at the Holiday Inn of Parsippany, 707 Route 46 East from 6-8 p.m.

The event, which benefits the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is designed to give people an evening of food and entertainment with a silent auction. But the purpose behind the merriment is serious: to raise awareness of prostate cancer and support services.

“Prostate cancer affects an entire family and our community," explained PACC President Robert J. Peluso. "Our chamber is partnered with the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center in order to provide education to the greater Parsippany area on this disease while encouraging early preventative screenings. We are very thankful for the positive support we received from the business community for this event."

The Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer Center at the Cancer Instituteof New Jersey was founded by the late Dean Gallo, a former Parsippany council member, a Morris County Freeholder and minority leader of the General Assembly. He also served five terms representing the 11th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Prostate cancer took Gallo's life in 1994. Today, the center that bears his name is New Jersey’s only specialized prostate health resource at the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey in New Brunswick.

“One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime," said Betty Gallo, the late congressman's widow, who is director of public outreach and government relations for the Gallo Center. "The key to surviving this deadly form of cancer is early screenings. To encourage early screenings, events such as Parsippany Night Out extend an opportunity for us to educate the public and drive awareness." 

Tickets for Parsippany Night Out are $35 or $30 each for groups of 10 ormore. For information, visit www.ParsippanyNightOut.com.