Women's Health Advocates Celebrate Roe Anniversary and Honor New York State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood will hold its annual celebration of the historic Roe v. Wade decision on January 20, 2011 at the Fort Orange Club in downtown Albany. Advocates for women's health from around the Capital Region, as well as local and state legislators, are expected to turn out to honor the 38th year of the groundbreaking legislation.

Each year, at this event, UHPP presents its Advocate for Choice award. This year's honoree is NYS Division Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli.

According to UHPP President/CEO, Patricia McGeown, "Tom DiNapoli has been a longtime champion of women's reproductive rights. It is gratifying to know that we have someone in the position of State Comptroller who understands the key role played by non-profit organizations and particularly by those who ensure access to reproductive health and choice in New York State."

Past honorees have included, among others, NYS Senator Neil Breslin, NYS Assemblyman Ron Canestrari, then Senate Minority Leader David Paterson, the Albany Medical Students for Choice, Shirley Gordon, founder of Family Planning Advocates of New York and in 2010, former Deputy Secretary for Public Safety and Commissioner, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Service, Denise O'Donnell.

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood is a community-based non-profit organization providing advocacy, education and reproductive health care services in the capital region since 1934. Our service area includes Albany, Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer Counties. In 2010, the agency provided health care services to over 11,000 men, women and youth who made over 23,000 visits to our health centers located in Albany, Troy and Hudson. UHPP community educators also provided 366 programs to 4,805 participants.

The UHPP mission is to promote healthy sexuality and reproductive choice through exceptional services, honest education and fearless advocacy.