July

2025

During Men's Health Month this June, PHEN partnered with Howard University for its Prostate Cancer Community Rally in the DMV area. Four events were held with educational sessions and free prostate cancer screenings on June 7, 14, 21, and 28 at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Judah Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, and First Baptist Church of Highland Park.

PHEN Ambassadors Drs. Artie Shelton COL (ret) U.S. Army and James Smith participated in these rally events by sharing information about early detection screening, prostate cancer treatments, and clinical trials with attendees. Drs. Shelton and Smith handled breakout sessions that focused on issues like intimacy, treatment side effects, and mental health among others. PHEN supporter Ms. Clarice Greene handed out information about early detection screening at a table.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA

The Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) held a Men's Health Awareness Event on Sunday, June 29th, which was motivated by PHENs August 14th, 2024 Chicago Rally at TUCC. TUCC partnered with Northwestern Hospital to provide free PSA blood tests under the supervision of Dr. Adam Murphy. A total of 29 men registered and received PSA blood tests to check for prostate cancer. During the health fair, Dr. Adam Murphy and Dr. Ansel Johnson led a discussion on men's health. The TUCC staff plan to make this health fair into an annual event.

Chicago, IL

On Saturday, June 21st, Ambassador Jerry Womack presented at the We're Still Here Survivor's Group. The group had 15 prostate cancer survivors attend from Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Womack introduced the attendees to PHEN, showcasing the website and mission to end the prostate cancer disparity. He gave out packets to those in attendance.

On Sunday, June 29th, Ambassador Womack presented at the Life Baptist Church for the Men's Ministry located in the Hidden Valley Neighborhood in Charlotte. His presentation focused on early detection screening as well as new prostate cancer diagnostic and treatment options. He also shared the PHEN website, spreading its message.

On July 7th, Mr. Womack sent out 34 invites to prostate cancer survivors in the city of Charlotte to attend a July survivor meeting. On Saturday, July 12th, he managed an information table at the Young Adult Men's Cookout and Health Fair at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlotte where 27 men were in attendance. Here, Mr. Womack provided information on prostate cancer awareness and early detection screening for young men.

CHARLOTTE, NC

On Saturday, June 14th, Ambassador Llew Fambles presented at the Men's Health Summit: The Balanced Man, which was a collaboration between the Bridging the Gap Foundation and Dallas College Mountain View. This unique summit focused on five important health issues that pose obstacles for African American men, which are diabetes, sexual health, hypertension, prostate cancer, and mental health. Mr. Fambles discussed PHEN's mission and prostate cancer awareness at this event.

DALLAS, TX

Ambassador Ray Fuller attended two separate Juneteenth events on Saturday, June 21st. Mr. Fuller managed a booth and passed out approximately 30 bags of PHEN packets at the Wells Park's Juneteenth event in Savannah, Georgia.

Mr. Fuller also attended the Juneteenth celebration in Port Wentworth, Georgia that same day where he managed his own table. He distributed about 45 bags with prostate cancer materials over four hours and visited other tents. Ambassador Fuller also talked to a man who was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had the cancer surgically removed this past January. Additionally, he shared PHEN's message about the prostate cancer disparity with attendees.

SAVANNAH, GA

On Sunday, June 15th, Ambassador Merriweather attended a Father's Day Luncheon about men's health at Saint Stephen A.M.E. Church in Jacksonville, Florida where he spoke about PHEN's programs and his journey as a prostate cancer survivor. About 15 men attended the luncheon, and Mr. Merriweather gave out PHEN bags to the attendees while discussing men's health.

On Saturday, June 21st, Ambassador Merriweather attended the Men's Health Screening Fair hosted by the American Legion Post #197 in Jacksonville, Florida. Both Mr. Merriweather and PHEN Ambassador and former Senator Tony Hill spoke at this event in front of approximately 40 men and women in attendance, discussing PHEN and men's health. Ambassadors Merriweather and Hill gave out about 20 bags with PHEN information to men at the health fair. Dr. Floyd Willis from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center provided additional information about prostate cancer.

On Saturday, June 26th, the two PHEN Ambassadors also spoke at the third annual The Legends of Scott Park Family Fun Day 2025. They spoke about early detection screening and advised men to get their PSA levels checked regularly. Approximately 80 men and some women attended this event. The Ambassadors also passed out PHEN brochures.

JACKSONVILLE, FL

On Saturday, June 21st, Ambassador Barney Morris participated in a Juneteenth Celebration hosted by The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement and sponsored by the Moffit Cancer Center, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Morris was a featured speaker who discussed his prostate cancer journey, and the services PHEN offers. In a men-only session, Ambassador Morris went into detail about PHEN's resources and spoke privately with the men in attendance. About 300 people were at the event where they had access to free cancer and health screenings.

TAMPA, FL

On Saturday, June 7th, Ambassador Rev. Blane Newberry passed out 300 PHEN packets to engage and educate men on prostate cancer awareness at the Black Men's Wellness Day Annual Walk/Run. The walkathon took place at the Temple University Aramark STAR Complex in Philadelphia, PA and was sponsored by the African American Male Awareness Agency. The event addressed health disparities among Black men and had PA State Senator Sharif Street in attendance. About 105 men received free prostate cancer screenings that day.

On Saturday, June 14th, Ambassador Newberry attended the 7th Annual Tie One on for Prostate and Colon Cancer Walk/Run in Chester, PA, which was sponsored by Laborers Local 413. This event included a 5K Walk/Run, food, vendors, and health screenings. Rev. Newberry took part in a radio interview during the event where he discussed the vital programs PHEN provides, how to access the PHEN portals/websites, and the importance of early detection PSA testing.

Ambassador Newberry also gave out about 150 PHEN packets on Saturday, June 21st at the Dr. Charles R. Drew Blood Drive sponsored by the Zeta Iota Iota chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Rev. Newberry discussed PSA screening tests, government-based recommendations on prostate cancer testing and treatments, prostate cancer statistics, and how to access the PHEN website.

PHILADELPHIA, PA

Rev. Blane Newberry and Leaders of Laborers Local 413 Mr. Mark Freeman and Mr. James Harper