Microscopic image of invasive prostate cancer.

Another telephone call. Another new diagnosis of prostate cancer. I see so many cases of prostate cancer each day, but some are more personal to me than others.

This time the worried young man on the phone is a friend, and he is indeed young. Carefully followed because his father is a prostate cancer warrior (survivor) his diagnosis has been made before his 40th birthday. He will benefit from all the advances in diagnostic techniques, prognostic methods, and therapeutics that have been developed in the last decade or so. Testing of the abnormal genetic material in his tumor, as well as his “germline” genetics (the genes he was born with) may assist in some decisions, as well as serve as a guide to family members about their own potential risk for prostate and other cancers.

Something else that will be available to him as he begins his prostate cancer journey is the presence of information seminars and support groups sponsored by UsToo, an international organization based in Rosemont. (Full Disclosure: I am on the Board of Directors of UsToo.) These resources bring prostate cancer patients updates on the latest in medical, surgical, and radiologic advances, as well as the ability to discuss with peers what to expect and how to deal with the life changes that the diagnosis and treatment may bring.

One month from today, on September 26th, UsToo along with UroPartners (More Full Disclosure: I provide pathology services to UroPartners) will be sponsoring the SEABlue Race/Walk in Lincoln Park, to raise funds for Support, Education, and Advocacy related to prostate cancer. I would love to invite you to join in on a fun-filled morning by the lake, but with no knowledge of what COVID restrictions we might be dealing with in a month, I will instead ask you to support me in my personal fundraising campaign. You can donate (any amount is welcome) by clicking here. Donate in honor of all the men you know–those who have prostate cancer, those who have lost a battle to prostate cancer, and those who just by being a male are at risk.

To my young friend–keep your hopes high and know that there are many resources to help you. Your dad is a success story, you can be too!

Just one note in closing. UsToo is merging with Zero-The End of Prostate Cancer in an effort to combine the strengths of each of these two great non-profits. You can learn more about the merger here.

Thank you for being a supporter.

Once more, the link to donate to my fundraising is Ustoo.rallybound.org/sea-blue-2021/lesraff

The opinions expressed above are the opinions of the author and not necessarily UsToo or UroPartners.

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