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The front lawn of Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip is now lined with 350 pink flags in honor and memory of those fighting or lost to breast cancer.
A flag-planting ceremony was held this Sunday afternoon outside the hospital on Montauk Highway — and attracted some 150 people.
“We want those pink flags to fly high,” John McMurray, Good Samaritan’s chief operating officer, told the crowd assembled in the parking lot. “We want to honor those who lost their lives and raise awareness so we can put an end to this terrible disease.”
This was the seventh such flag ceremony. They’re all run by the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition.
Members of the Good Samaritan Women’s Imaging Center and Islip Town Councilman Steve Flotteron, who sponsored Sunday’s event, were also in attendance.
And, there was a performance by the singers of Vocal Motion from West Islip High.
“It’s wonderful to see the community come together like this,” said Mary Anne Iannizoto, a member of the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition who emceed the event. “There’s so much support for the breast cancer community in West Islip.”
The day always serves as an uplifting celebration among local family members and friends of those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.
The attendees on Sunday were also able to purchase a ribbon either “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” to support their loved ones.
The ribbons and flags will remain at Good Samaritan for all of October.
Top: Some of the people who made Sunday’s flag-planting ceremony in West Islip possible. (courtesy)
