New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo Proclaims May 27th Gray Day With Voices Against Brain Cancer

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Jun 17, 2015, 08:17 ET

KINGSTON, N.Y., June 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, on behalf of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, the New York State Department of Health, Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, along with Voices Against Brain Cancer, a national non-profit organization committed to finding a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors, announced the declaration of New York State Gray Day, to be observed annually on May 27^th.

New York State Department of Health, Dr. Howard Zucker delivers a proclamation from the Governor's office with Michael Klipper and James J. Hanson of Voices Against Brain Cancer

Dr. Howard Zucker delivered the Governor's formal proclamation in support of brain cancer awareness during a press conference at Hudson Valley Health Alliance Mary's Avenue Campus, in Kingston. Voices Against Brain Cancer's Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, J.J. Hanson, and the Foundation's Chairman, Michael Klipper, accepted the proclamation.

"As a national foundation committed to finding a cure, we currently have a wide variety of initiatives in motion for brain cancer awareness and support," said Michael Klipper, Chairman of Voices Against Brain Cancer. "With the Governor's proclamation of Gray Day on May 27^th, citizens throughout the state of New York are joining our crusade to raise awareness by honoring those affected by the disease."

"Having been personally touched by the disease after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma Mulitforme (GBM) in 2014, I am proud to have the opportunity to assist Voices Against Brain Cancer in the fight for a cure," said Voices Against Brain Cancer's Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, J.J. Hanson. "The implementation of New York State Gray Day on May 27^th is a major win for patients, survivors and caregivers, not just in New York but across the nation, who have been affected by brain cancer."

This year, Voices Against Brain Cancer is celebrating its 10 year anniversary by continuing its mission to directly support patients, caregivers and families affected by brain cancer and brain tumors. Along with the official proclamation of New York State Gray Day on May 27^th, VABC is continuing to expand its national reach by continuing to host run/walks across the U.S., with recent events in Miami, New Jersey, and Chicago, and offering the newly established Family Initiative Program.

For more information on Gray Day and Voices Against Brain Cancer, please visit www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org.

About Voices Against Brain Cancer

Voices Against Brain Cancer's (VABC) mission is to find a cure for brain cancer and brain tumors by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness, creating a brain cancer and tumor community, and supporting patients, their families and caregivers afflicted with this devastating disease.

Voices Against Brain Cancer was started in loving memory of Gary Lichtenstein who at 24 years old lost his battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2003. Gary was living in Chicago and working as an options trader at Wolverine Trading when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor on March 4, 2003. After three months of radiation, Gary slipped into a coma from which he did not recover. Soon after his passing, Gary's family started Voices Against Brain Cancer to raise money and awareness for the fight against this devastating disease.

"I couldn't save the life of my son, but perhaps I can save the life of others."
-Mario Lichtenstein, Founder Of VABC

VABC has a wide variety of initiatives in motion for brain cancer research, awareness and support. The organization's research grants fund cutting-edge programs that will have a monumental impact on the diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer and brain tumors. Currently, these grants are being funded at numerous esteemed institutions including: Baylor University, Boston Children's Hospital / Harvard, Brain Tumor Biotech Center / Feinstein Institute / North Shore LIJ Health System, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Central Brain Tumor Registry Of The United States, Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia, Cleveland Clinic / Case Western Reserve University, Columbia, Cornell, Dana Farber / Harvard, Duke, The Feinstein Institute / North Shore LIJ Health System, Harvard, Hofstra / North Shore LIJ School Of Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Lenox Hill Hospital / North Shore LIJ Health System, Long Island Brain Tumor Center, NY, Lurie Children's Hospital / Northwestern, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard, MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Rush University, Stony Brook University, University Of California Davis, University Of California Irvine, University Of California Los Angeles, University Of California San Diego, University Of California San Francisco, University Of Chicago, University Of Michigan, University Of Pittsburgh, University Of Texas San Antonio, University Of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest, Washington University, Yale and more.

VABC extends throughout the international community and funds research in countries such as Australia, Canada, Israel, Spain and more. As part of the Foundation's commitment to "leave no stone unturned" in the search for a cure, VABC supports Cannabis Research and the exploration of the potential risks associated with Mobile Phone Radiation.

VABC continues to hold events across the country in locations such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Connecticut, Dallas, Las Vegas, Long Island-New York, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York City, New York City Half Marathon, New York City Marathon, North Carolina, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Virginia and Washington, DC.