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Raleigh, NC. May 3, 2001: Michael Taylor, a PhD candidate in physics at North Carolina State University (NCSU), is on a mission. As president of The Association for the Concerns of African-American Graduate Students (ACAAGS), Michael has attracted students' energy to his personal effort to increase awareness of prostate cancer. This year one of ACAAGS' largest community events is "Feet for the Fight: the 2001 ACAAGS Run to End Prostate Cancer." The 5K event is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, 2001 at 8:30 am on the Centennial Campus of NCSU. "My father is battling prostate cancer and nearly died from complications resulting from this disease. He had been having trouble with his prostate for a while, but was told that it was just a little large, given antibiotics, and sent home." Michael's family needed his help, so he took two months off to go home and care for his father. The inspiration for the run grew out of Michael's concern over lack of awareness and lack of easily available of information about prostate cancer. "I went home to care for my dad, and was disturbed to find there were so many shortcomings of diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of this disease. It was disturbing to know that, as a man, if I live long enough, I could put prostate cancer on my calendar. It was equally disturbing to know that the amount of effort put into increasing awareness and research/treatment efforts were so low. Prostate cancer afflicts approximately as many men as breast cancer afflicts women, yet it receives only one third of the research funding." The Center for Disease Control has identified prostate cancer as the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer (after skin) among men in the United States. This "forgotten" cancer affects the lives of millions of men and their families. With this First-in- the-Nation "Feet for the Fight" 5K run to benefit prostate cancer, ACAAGS is taking a proactive stand. The goals are to educate public awareness of the disease and raise money for research. In North Carolina Prostate cancer will afflict 6,000 citizens and 900 men will die of the disease in 2001 according to the American Cancer Society. Dr. Leroy Darkes runs the satellite medical facility at the Rex Senior Health Center in downtown Raleigh and has organized and run a major free screening program held every fall for the community. "Despite the impact of prostate cancer on our citizens we continue to see too many men who are not diagnosed until after the disease has spread beyond the prostate gland, and is no longer curable" Bob Anderson, Director of the recently formed Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina, and a cancer survivor, feels this race is a huge step forward in building awareness. "It is such a thrill to see a group of energized young people step up to battle what is unfortunately often thought to be an old man's disease. North Carolina is particularly hard hit by this disease with our African American citizens experiencing the highest death rate in the nation." The proceeds from the Feet for the Fight Run to End Prostate Cancer will go toward research and improving awareness of prostate cancer in the greater community. Race information and to become a sponsor contact: Michael Taylor 919 515 8720 Email: [email protected]Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina. Bob Anderson 919 846 8442. Email: [email protected] For information and directions go to www.ncpcactivist.org
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Father's Fight Spurs Son's
North Carolina Race
To End
Prostate Cancer
E-mail