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Inspired by a longtime employee’s courageous battle against breast cancer, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon PC is raising awareness about the importance of early detection.

As part of its ongoing #EmployersThinkPink initiative, the Teaneck-based personal injury law firm gives employees paid time off to undergo their annual mammograms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October.

The campaign initially began following a case manager at the firm’s diagnosis of stage 2B triple negative breast cancer in 2009.

After rigorous treatment at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Betty Torricelli Institute for Breast Cancer, she achieved remission and has been cancer-free since. Had she not delayed her annual mammogram, the cancer would have been detected an earlier, more treatable stage, the firm said.

Following her recovery, the case manager dedicated herself to raising awareness through participating in the annual Making Strides event as well as inspiring others to prioritize their health.

To honor her resilience and prevent others from facing a similar ordeal, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon partner Garry Salomon created the #EmployersThinkPink initiative. He also hopes other employers will offer workers PTO for screenings. According to Salomon, it’s a way for them “contribute to saving lives and fostering a healthier workplace.”

For more information about setting up the program, businesses can contact the firm here.

Getting involved

Davis, Saperstein & Salomon also urges companies to raise awareness through other ways, such as:

• Joining the law firm at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at MetLife Stadium Oct. 19
• Donating to support free resources and programming for women affected by breast cancer
• Creating a fundraising event, like a bake sale or fitness challenge
• Learning more about at-risk populations and available treatment options

According to breastcancer.org, approximately 310,720 women and 2,800 men will receive invasive breast cancer diagnoses in 2024.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Globally, it causes 685,000 deaths each year, the World Health Organization says.

According to cancer.org, an American woman has a 13% chance of developing breast cancer in her lifetime, or a one in eight chance. Overall, there are four million survivors of breast cancer in the U.S.

NJ’s firms in the battle:

• MD Anderson Cancer Center employs innovative liver tumor treatment
• BeiGene’s Hopewell hub offers new hope for cancer patients
• Lisata Therapeutics embarks on cancer-fighting campaign