Knowledge is power. At Fans for the Cure, we believe that by raising awareness and educating men about prostate cancer risks and the value of early detection, we can help empower men to take control of their health so they can “stay in the game.” With that mission in mind, we host awareness events at sports venues and in local communities across the country, often coordinating free prostate cancer screenings so men can “know their score”. Here are a few places we’ve visited so far this year.
NHL Game: Nashville Predators vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Fans for the Cure teamed up with Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and the Nashville Predators to educate hockey fans on March 19, as the Preds took on the Toronto Maple Leafs. FANS CEO Ed Randall and a medical team led by VUMC’s Dr. David Penson were on site at the Bridgestone Arena to talk about prostate cancer, offer free PSA screenings, and answer any and all questions about the disease and its risk factors — talk about a hat trick! By the end of the game, thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers, we’d handed out 2,500 brochures and awareness bracelets and screened 52 men.
Wellness Event: Vanderveer United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, New York
On March 30, we partnered with Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell Center for Health Equity, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, and Rev.Kirk Lyons of Vanderveer United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, to talk to men and their families about prostate cancer, the importance of early detection, and how a healthy lifestyle can improve overall wellness. The Fans for the Cure team of Ed Randall and executive director Laura Gallo joined, Dr. Alfred C. Winkler, Dr. Erica Phillips, former NBA player Ken Charles, and nutritionist Francesca Maglione to empower men in Vanderveer’s community and provide free PSA screenings — and we definitely made an impact! Twenty-nine men were screened, and we connected families with ways they can stay together, longer.
New York Finest Baseball Club vs. Rockland Boulders
Fans for the Cure took to Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, NY, on May 11, for a special pre-season game between New York Finest Baseball Club and the Rockland Boulders. Along with New York Finest and the Boulders, FFTC partnered with Good Samaritan Hospital to get the word out about prostate cancer. It was thanks to the amazing efforts of the Good Sam team that a free prostate cancer screening was also made available on that spring evening. With the help of volunteer and the added encouragement from Boulders players, who participated in a public service announcement that appeared on screen before the game, the Good Sam medical team of Dr. Chris Dixon, Dr. Mitchell Fraiman, Dr. Richard Evans, and Danielle Hansen, RN OCN screened 34 men for prostate cancer with a simple PSA test.
Of the 115 men screened at all three events, a total of 13 had abnormal test results and have been advised of their results as well as given information on making an appointment with a doctor or how to follow up with any questions.
It is so important for men to get screening for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is highly curable, but only if detected early. While early stage prostate cancer usually has no symptoms, a PSA screening – a simple blood test – can help doctors detect prostate cancer in its early stages, when it’s most curable and offers the most treatment options.
To learn more about your risk of prostate cancer and when you should get tested, talk to your physician. If you don’t have one or need help getting connected, contact us at [email protected].