Bergen New Bridge Medical Center Hosts Black Balloon Day Event

The Medical Center in partnership with the County of Bergen, Alumni in Recovery, and The Black Poster Project hosted a remembrance as well as a celebration of recovery from addiction

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center hosted its third annual Black Balloon Day event which is a national observance, established to remember those lost to substance use disorder and raise awareness of opioid overdose deaths. Black Balloon Day also raises awareness of the importance of increasing access to treatment for substance use disorders as well as providing necessary support to those individuals and their loved ones.

“It is our mission and my personal commitment to be there for all those struggling with addiction and their families.  We will be that beacon of health, hope and healing, ready to care for anyone who needs us, when, where, and how they need it.,” said Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center. “I am proud of and am grateful for my outstanding Recovery Center and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Team who are dedicated to saving lives every day, especially through our new innovative and cutting-edge Comprehensive Center for Addiction Treatment.”

The Black Poster Project, founded by Dee Gillen after losing her son to an overdose, serves as a silent memorial to those who have died. Nearly 200 of the posters were displayed in the Medical Center’s Annex and Auditorium and represent a small fraction of the more than 700 posters in the collection.

Nancy Labov founded Alumni in Recovery which is a non-profit that gives community members a voice and platform to address substance use disorders. They are focused on changing societal perceptions about the misunderstood brain disease process of addiction.

The event ended on a note of hope, when attendees gathered to listen to the “Recovery Speaker Jam” which featured community members who are currently in recovery from their addictions.

The Medical Center’s Substance Use Disorder Treatment Addiction Treatment program offers a full range of services across the entire continuum of care. Our programs provide a supportive environment to begin a journey towards recovery. If you or a loved one need help, call The Access Center at 1-800-730-2762.