Wellbeing
September is the traditional month for raising awareness for this disease. Last week, President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation supporting this annual observance. (While the Proclamation is greatly appreciated, I still hope The White House might surprise us all with a flooding of blue light next week following numerous appeals from various sources in the past several weeks. After all, it has looked pretty in Pink several times in the past.) With the projected annual death rate (32,000) and number of new cases (218,000) on the rise for the first time in many years, there is increased urgency to step up our public awareness efforts.
Next week’s Advance on Washington will help move the needle on awareness, advocacy and research. But, on a personal level, we all need to evangelize the issue and urge all the men in our lives to learn more about this cancer and, if they are over 40, to talk to their physician about their family health history annual PSA testing. We also need to continue advocating for expanded corporate and government support.
Our sisters in cancer have done this so very well for breast cancer. It’s why we have pink White Houses, pink ribbons on planes and pink products and events wherever we turn. Their willingness to talk about the disease and mobilize for the issue has worked. While we may now read a few articles about “pinklash,” I would welcome the need to deal with some “bluelash” of our own.
I am pleased, however, to point to some examples of tangible progress on the blue front lines. Modern Car Care is running public service ads and a pilot program to encourage carwash operators to sponsor awareness and research fundraising campaigns this September. In Chicago, landmark buildings are going blue. The Hockey News is running public service ads and, later this fall, the annual Movember and Be Bold, Be Bald programs are promoting prostate cancer awareness and raising crucial funds for PCF-sponsored research. Momentum is building.
One of the most unusual and perhaps liberating events for prostate cancer is being sponsored by Jockey on Saturday, September 25 in Chicago. The company is endeavoring to to break the record for the world’s largest dodgeball game ever played. The previous record was 1,198. The event has a unique twist… players will be competing in Jockey Sport boxer briefs. Wow… talk about athletic supporters! I will be sharing the registration link as soon as it is live.
Remember, it’s September and it’s up to all of us. Spread the word. Build support.
Next week’s Advance on Washington will help move the needle on awareness, advocacy and research. But, on a personal level, we all need to evangelize the issue and urge all the men in our lives to learn more about this cancer and, if they are over 40, to talk to their physician about their family health history annual PSA testing. We also need to continue advocating for expanded corporate and government support.
Our sisters in cancer have done this so very well for breast cancer. It’s why we have pink White Houses, pink ribbons on planes and pink products and events wherever we turn. Their willingness to talk about the disease and mobilize for the issue has worked. While we may now read a few articles about “pinklash,” I would welcome the need to deal with some “bluelash” of our own.
I am pleased, however, to point to some examples of tangible progress on the blue front lines. Modern Car Care is running public service ads and a pilot program to encourage carwash operators to sponsor awareness and research fundraising campaigns this September. In Chicago, landmark buildings are going blue. The Hockey News is running public service ads and, later this fall, the annual Movember and Be Bold, Be Bald programs are promoting prostate cancer awareness and raising crucial funds for PCF-sponsored research. Momentum is building.
One of the most unusual and perhaps liberating events for prostate cancer is being sponsored by Jockey on Saturday, September 25 in Chicago. The company is endeavoring to to break the record for the world’s largest dodgeball game ever played. The previous record was 1,198. The event has a unique twist… players will be competing in Jockey Sport boxer briefs. Wow… talk about athletic supporters! I will be sharing the registration link as soon as it is live.
Remember, it’s September and it’s up to all of us. Spread the word. Build support.