The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS), For The Good, Inc., UticaPhoenix.net, Phoenix Radio, The Carol L. Crooms Center and other community members are bringing a major Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign to our entire community during September as its Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
The goal is to raise awareness that Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer among men and the second leading cause of cancer death among men, after Lung Cancer. And Prostate Cancer is an even greater threat to the health of Black men. Sadly, Black men face an alarmingly higher risk of Prostate Cancer compared to men of other races. It is more likely to occur and be diagnosed in Black men and they are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
Our Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign has three components:
- Raising awareness through the local media. Radio and digital ads about the importance of screening for Prostate Cancer are being supported by Utica native, Kevin Byrd, the leading Global Prostate Cancer Health Advocate and the founder of the Brown Byrd Foundation. Kevin, an award winning actor and best-selling author, lost his grandfather to the disease and has since been determined to help save lives by providing an even stronger voice for prostate cancer awareness. He established the foundation to increase awareness and prevention through early detection and screening and is bringing the message home to Utica.
- Conducting free screenings throughout the month of September. We intend to bring renewed attention to the free Prostate Cancer screenings MVHS has done for the last few years at the Faxton campus for the month of September. This year the dates will be on September 2,5,10,18 and 22. For more information and registration go to http://www.mvhealthsystem.org/prostate-screening-form
- A special event for Black and Latino men is being planned for Saturday, September 13 at the Carol L. Crooms BECA (Business, Education, Cultural, Activities Center) at 1105 Park Ave. Details are being finalized and will be announced shortly.
- Register for your free screening at uticapoenix.net and www.955theHeat.com click on the September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month ad with Kevin Byrd’s image to take you to the registration page.
Patty Charvat, Senior Vice President Marketing & Strategy, for MVHS says, “MVHS has a strong commitment to partnerships that help to improve the health of all of our communities. We do this through ever-expanding outreach and education and by health screenings done throughout our region. This Prostate Cancer Awareness campaign, which includes free screenings and an upcoming event, are designed to raise awareness of a major health concern for men, in particular Black men, with the goal of early detection and treatment of this disease.”
CEO of For The Good, publisher of uticaphoenix.net and Phoenix Radio, Casandra Harris-Lockwood remarks, “I come with a medical background on both sides of my family. And I am a holistic healer. I have real sense of satisfaction in merging my work in media today with the work of my ancestors. There are very few opportunities to lift up the health concerns of the most marginalized on a grand scale. Phoenix Media is pleased to work with MVHS in this important work.”
Look for updates on coming events for the Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign.
