Velazquez Recalls Bar & Red Hook Icon Sunny Balzano
Red Hook Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez today joined the neighborhood in mourning Red Hook Bar owner and artist Sunny Balzano.
Balzano, 81, passed away yesterday surrounded by loved ones after suffering a stroke.
“Sunny Balzano was an icon, artist and true Brooklyn original. He built Sunny’s in Red Hook into a local institution. More than just a bar, for many it was a special gathering place, bursting with a sense of community and creative energy,” recalled Velazquez.
“In many ways larger than life, Sunny was as big hearted as he was engaging and entertaining. Red Hook will be a little less colorful with Sunny’s passing, but the bar he animated will live on with music and culture, and we will never forget the smiles he brought to so many faces. My thoughts and prayers are with Sunny’s family and all those who knew and loved him.”
Cymbrowitz, Adams Honor Colon Cancer Survivor
In recognition of March as “Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month” in New York State, Sheepshead Bay Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz went to Borough Hall to present an Assembly resolution to a Brooklyn man whose personal experience with colon cancer 20 years ago led him to become a powerful advocate for preventive screenings.
Dan Foster, a colon cancer survivor, is a tireless volunteer who works on behalf of the Colon Cancer Alliance, Inc. to raise public awareness by talking about his own cancer battle.
“I’ve known Dan for many years and his non-stop advocacy and positive energy are remarkable to watch,” said Cymbrowitz. “He takes some of the fear out of colon cancer by reminding people that it’s survivable and you can lead a vital and fulfilling life after treatment. His story is one of hope, and it motivates people to go to their doctor for screenings that could potentially save their life.”
The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health estimates there will be 102,480 new cases of colon cancer and 40,340 new cases of rectal cancer diagnosed in the U.S. this year, with about 50,830 people succumbing to the combined diseases.
In August 2000, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ wife Lena, the former Assemblywoman for the 45th Assembly District, died of colon cancer at the age of 43.
“Despite the widespread availability of effective screenings, adherence to colorectal cancer screening guidelines lags behind compliance for other cancers,” Cymbrowitz said. “Many people are unaware that, once they turn 50, they should be screened yearly. And if they have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, they might need to be screened before age 50. Women with a personal or family history of ovarian, endometrial, or breast cancer should talk with their doctors about screening for colorectal cancer earlier as well.”
“The month of March is a chance to prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths. It is my personal resolution that no one should ever again die needlessly from this disease,” he said.
