Download Fans, Cancer Survivors, Hear And Meet

Media Contact:
Robert Seman
973-660-3145
[email protected]
Morristown Memorial Hospital
100 Madison Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07962
For Immediate Release
FANS, CANCER SURVIVORS, HEAR AND MEET ‘GOLDEN GIRLS’ STAR
RUE McCLANAHAN
MORRISTOWN, NJ May 9, 2007 – Rue McClanahan, best known as Blanche Deveraux, on NBC’s “Golden Girls,”
entertained and enlightened a packed auditorium at Morristown Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night with tales from
her acting career and her battle with breast cancer.
McClanahan was the guest speaker of “Overcoming Life’s Obstacles,” hosted by the Carol W. and Julius A. Rippel Breast
Center at the Malcolm Forbes Amphitheater at the hospital.
The audience of more than 200 people included a large contingent of Golden Girls fans young and old, as well as women
who, like McClanahan, survived breast cancer. All of the audience found something to connect to in the program.
McClanahan read two excerpts from her book, “My First Five Husbands … And the Ones Who Got Away,” before taking
questions from the audience and then meeting with fans for a book signing.
The first excerpt detailed how she met and fell in love with her sixth husband, Morrow Wilson, while rehearsing for a play.
It was in the midst of their budding romance, she said, that she noticed a lump in her breast, and was diagnosed with
breast cancer.
“I found a lump while getting a massage one night,” McClanahan said. “Those of you of whom there are too many, know
what I’m talking about.”
Jeanne Stevens, of Lincoln Park, certainly knew. Stevens, a breast cancer survivor, heard about McClanahan’s visit at the
breast cancer support group at Morristown Memorial Hospital and decided to come to the event.
“It’s so true,” Stevens said of McClanahan’s account of the emotional experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Dr. Paul Friedman, medical director of the Rippel Breast Center, said 211,300 new cases of invasive breast cancer are
expected this year, and another 55,700 expected new cases of situ breast cancer. The Rippel Breast Center, which
opened in January 2006 on the fourth floor of the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, treats 10,000-12,000 women each year,
using digital mammography, computer assisted detection, breast MRI and other state-of-the-art technology.
As she read an excerpt of how she landed the role of Blanche, McClanahan shifted her voice into the familiar, sultry
(more)
Fans, Cancer Survivors, Hear And Meet ‘Golden Girls’ Star Rue McClanahan
Page 2 of 3
Southern accent of the character. To the audience’s delight, they not only got Blanche, but a little Dorothy and Rose, as
well – courtesy of McClanahan’s dead-on impersonations of her former cohorts, Bea Arthur and Betty White.
The questions asked by audience members focused on her career and her battle with cancer, ranging from her lifestyle
after treatment, to her favorite “Golden Girls,” episodes. McClanahan said she had two favorites.
“I loved the one where I get to sing on the grand piano,” McClanahan said. She also favored an episode where Dorothy’s
lesbian friend falls for Rose, played by Estelle Getty.
Avianca Hansen Bouchedid, of Morristown, said she watches reruns of the show every day. Bouchedid, a new mom who
delivered at Morristown Memorial Hospital, heard about the event at the “Mommy and Me” group she attends at the
hospital.
“You feel like she’s a part of your family, you’ve been watching her for so long,” Bouchedid said.
McClanahan’s other revelations about the show included that she was originally asked to read for the part of Rose, and
conversely, Betty White was asked to play Blanche, and that ad-libbing was strictly prohibited.
“Because the writers are competing for Emmys, just as the actors are competing for Emmys,” she said.
McClanahan was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Blanche four times, and won the award in 1987. She also
received four Golden Globe nominations. McClanahan also revealed that she is writing a new musical, and will have a
role in an upcoming sitcom, “Ryan’s Life,” for a new cable channel.
One woman asked McClanahan about how her lifestyle changed after battling cancer. McClanahan, a self-described
“pseudo-vegetarian,” said she eats mostly vegetables and, on her doctor’s recommendation, some fish. She said she had
come to grips with giving up many of the foods she once used to enjoy, such as dairy products and corn.
“You find other things that are just as good and you get used to it,” McClanahan said.
###
About the Carol W. and Julius A. Rippel Breast Center
Morristown Memorial Hospital’s Carol W. and Julius A. Rippel Breast Center was established in 2005 to meet
the growing need for breast services in the region. The Rippel Breast Center provides digital mammography
and computer assisted detection (CAD), breast MRI with CAD, MRI-guided and stereotactic breast biopsy,
ultrasound, biotherapy, hormone therapy, MammoSite seed radiation and genetic counseling for risk
assessment, just to name a few of its specialized services.
The physicians of the Rippel Breast Center specialize in the evaluation and management of abnormalities of
the breast, including pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions. A multidisciplinary team of physicians and
nurses familiar with all aspects of breast disease participate in evaluation and treatment planning. The team
approach includes participation by the patient and family, as well as the primary care and consulting
physicians. The Rippel Breast Center has resulted in improved coordinated and time-sensitive care.
(more)
Fans, Cancer Survivors, Hear And Meet ‘Golden Girls’ Star Rue McClanahan
Page 3 of 3
Associated services are available in patient education and patient support. In addition to the availability of
individual and family counseling, a variety of support groups meet on a regular basis, including I Can Cope;
Look Good, Feel Better; and the Breast Support Group.
About the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center
Morristown Memorial Hospital’s Carol G. Simon Cancer Center continues to offer the region’s largest staff of
cancer specialists and the most advanced methods to diagnose, treat and manage all types of cancer. All
members of its multi-disciplinary care teams have been specially selected and trained to provide the highest
level of care for both the physical and emotional needs of its patients.
Integrating traditional and complementary medical modalities, the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center provides
inpatient, outpatient, home care, support services, and preventive screenings. All of these services are
conveniently offered at Morristown Memorial Hospital—allowing the cancer patient and care giver to remain
within the community, close to family and friends.
Part of Atlantic Health, www.atlantichealth.org, Morristown Memorial is a non-profit 642-licensed-bed hospital
in Morristown, New Jersey. Morristown Memorial’s specialties include cardiology and cardiac surgery, adult
and pediatric oncology, critical and emergency care and inpatient rehabilitation and neonatal intensive care
services. Morristown Memorial is also a Level II Regional Trauma Center, a Level III Regional Perinatal Center
and a Regional Pediatric Center. Other services include the Goryeb Children’s Hospital, North Jersey
Regional Arthritis Center, Wound Care Center®, Sleep Disorder Center, Hyperbaric Medicine Program,
Diabetes Center, Valerie Fund Center (pediatric oncology cancer program), Photopheresis Center, Atlantic
Mind Body Center, Atlantic Behavioral Health, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, and Atlantic Home Care and
Hospice. The hospital is the largest employer in Morristown, the second largest employer in Morris County, and
is accredited by The Joint Commission. Morristown Memorial is ranked among the top 100 cardiovascular
hospitals in the nation by Solucient, Inc., and is designated as a Magnet Hospital for Excellence in Nursing
Service – the highest level of recognition by American Nurses Credentialing Center available to facilities that
provide excellent acute care services.
Atlantic Health is the primary academic and clinical affiliate in New Jersey of Mount Sinai School of Medicine
and The Mount Sinai Hospital.
About Friends’ Health Connection
Friends’ Health Connection is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that offers an unprecedented array of
educational programs. Topics encompass the well-being of mind, body and spirit and include a complete
continuum of health, wellness, motivation and lifestyle topics. In addition, we are proud to offer one-of-a-kind,
award-winning worldwide support network that links individuals with the same health problems on a
customized, one-to-one basis for mutual support. Friends’ Health Connection is affiliated with 50 hospitals and
healthcare facilities. For additional information, visit www.friendshealthconnection.org or call 800/483-7436.
“Overcoming Life’s Obstacles” is sponsored by the Carol W. and Julius A. Rippel Breast Center at the Carol G.
Simon Cancer Center of Morristown Memorial Hospital. To register for the event, call the Friends’ Health
Connection at 800-483-7436 or online at www.friendshealthconnection.org.
###