On Wednesday, August 14th, PHEN hosted a Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally Town Hall at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. PHEN Director of Community Outreach and Partnerships Rev. Adrian Backus, who moderated the event, welcomed the audience and provided the agenda. Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, the Senior Pastor at the Trinity United Church of Christ, emphasized how the conference would provide a pivotal opportunity for Black men to discuss their health.
“Black men don’t normally talk about their prostates and don’t normally have these conversations,” said Rev. Dr. Moss. “[It is] important… to connect with people who are concerned about your health. That’s why we are gathered here. We are grateful you are here at Trinity.”
PHEN’s Founder and President Thomas Farrington described the Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally, explaining how PHEN has brought the program to the city of Chicago. PHEN’s Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally has reached more than 20 million people since 2021, using radio and social media channels to promote prostate cancer awareness messages delivered by prominent leaders in relevant communities. The Disparity Rally also brings together local leaders to host Town Hall meeting and community events to discuss grassroots efforts to eliminate the prostate cancer racial disparity.
PHEN Policy Coordinator Tony Hill discussed the PSA Screening for HIM Act and played a recording from Congressman Bobby Rush. PHEN Director of Patient Education and Clinical Trials presented the prostate cancer statistics of Chicago, explaining the incidence in Chicago is similar to national numbers and the disparity between White and Black men is too high. Further, according to the American Cancer Society, Illinois is the sixth highest state in the country for prostate cancer deaths.
Congressman Jonathan Jackson representing the 1st District of Illinois spoke about the importance of early detection screening and PSA testing at the Town Hall. Rev. Backus then discussed numerous PHEN programs including the Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summits, the Clinical Trials Rally, the Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally, the Church Partnership Educational Outreach Initiative, and the Patient Education and Empowerment Initiative.
The panel discussion of seven panelists included:
1. Mr. Michael Collins, Founder of Run for Prostate Cancer
2. Joseph Day, DrPH, Associate Professor at the Governors State University
3. Rev. Dr. Patrick Daymond, Senior Pastor at the Covenant United Church of Christ
4. Ms. Tarneka Manning, Administrative Director of Equity & Minority Health at Northwestern University
5. Ms. Sherri May-Rogers, Director of Oncology Advocacy & Professional Relations at Pfizer
6. Walter Stadler, MD, Associate Dean of Clinical Science at the University of Chicago
7. Mr. James Walker, PHEN Network Member and prostate cancer survivor
The panel discussion involved topics like taking preventive actions against prostate cancer such as exercise, eating healthy, and preparing foods in healthy manners.
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