JANUARY 1, 2022
The Newsletter of The Empowerment Network, Inc.,
a St. Louis-based, non-profit prostate advocacy, awareness and educational organization targeting men at 40+
HEALTH ALERT!!!
FROM THE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK, INC.
With Covid-19 mutating into the rapidly spreading and highly contagious Omicron variant, the decision is yours to get vaccinated and boosted as public health officials recommend. It is also your choice to follow the 3 W's:
*Wash your hands
*Watch your distance
*Wear a mask
Inside this edition of SURVIVORS
  • A New Year's greeting from the Founder/President's Desk, Mellve Shahid Sr.
  • Year in Review from the Executive Director, Robin Wright Jones
  • Hopes for 2022 from Physicians, Board Members, Survivors and Friends of The Empowerment Network, Inc.
  • ArchWell Health is the focus of our January 8th Prostate Cancer Support Group Zoom Meeting
  • Make a donation to The Empowerment Network, Inc.
Don’t Watch Us Grow, Help Us to Grow in 2022

As the calendar turns to 2022 in the midst of a pandemic, I’m amazed with the growth and the sustainability of The Empowerment Network in 2021.
It was one phenomenal year for our cancer organization. We faced one challenge after another as the delta virus continuously mutated throughout the world. This virus put a halt to many of our longstanding programs and the way we’ve done business over the years.

Yet, the tenacity of our cancer organization led the way as we faced great opportunities brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems. We simply created new ways of accomplishing our goals by seizing the opportunities and keeping our cancer survivors engaged with the mission of our organization.

In life, you never know your true strength until you’re faced with obstacles and tests. “You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have.” - Bob Marley. This is the true measure of a person that can spill into the success and growth of an organization.

I look forward to what’s ahead in 2022, as we blend our talents and dreams together to help save lives and create awareness for a disease that’s still claiming lives in our community-prostate cancer. Our success as we move into the New Year is embraced in our theme of, “Don’t watch us grow, help us to grow.”

Nothing can be accomplished by simply watching and observing us. It’s going to take the combined efforts of all of us to keep moving forward. Together we can achieve the impossible. Together we can create a model community cancer organization for the world to see and for the City of St. Louis to admire.

Happy New Year!!!
Year in Review
TEN's Culture of Resiliency during the Pandemic Provided Incentive for Us to Aim High in 2021
The Empowerment Network, Inc. (TEN) showed its resilience in 2021 by successfully moving its operations to a purely virtual platform.

During the pandemic, we provided monthly Support Group meetings with speakers who brought vital and timely information about Covid-19, the vaccines and what it means to our cancer survivors during the pandemic.

We instituted weekly Prayer Calls for our survivors and caregivers to help meet their spiritual needs since many churches were closed in the community. TEN offered quarterly mental health webinars with licensed therapists to enlighten our members about potential emotional and psychological issues during the pandemic.

We were provided and implemented an iPad program with training that provided 25 of our members the ability to participate in our virtual events. Our focus was to not lose contact with our survivors. 

TEN hit the ground running during September 2021 for National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month with a 30-day radio campaign on WFUN 96.3 For the Lou broadcasting the need for PSA testing and reinforcing the importance of education and information about prostate cancer. It was a resounding success with extensive feedback from the community and a notable increase in PSA in our local medical facilities. 

Another big success for 2021 is our Bell of Hope program where purchased brass handbells supported by donations from our Heroes and imprinted with the cancer ribbon and our logo are presented to survivors who have come through a year of survival and/or have finished a treatment trial.

The weekly Monday Motivators have furthered our 2021 success. These inspirational spirit boosters from our Founder are well received by the community and generate personal stories of the right message at the right time!

We must recognize Walter Pritchard of Soaring High Media. His expert marketing and production skills sustain our program successes with vibrant graphics and advertising outreach.

TEN garnered international status this year being sought out by a prostate cancer survivor from Kilkenny, Ireland! Here in the United States our wings have spread with new survivor referrals coming from other states.

TEN has become a partner in three cohorts with Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM), one of which having international partners, dedicated to clinical trials costs and medical to decision making, Additionally, in addition to being a member of WUSM’s PECaD Committee (Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities), TEN has become a member of DEAC (Disparities Elimination Advisory Committee), that provides overall guidance to PECaD.

As 2021, comes to a close, TEN continues to acquire important acknowledgements. Our Founder/President Shahid was recently honored and recognized by his Alderwoman Pam Boyd and the St. Louis Board of Aldermen with Resolution #149 uplifting his contributions and achievements in the prostate cancer community. President Shahid also received a nomination for the Urology Foundation Humanitarian Recognition Award.

Finally, we were recently notified that one of our peer-review papers was accepted as a publication by Cancer Causes and Control. TEN played an active role in the research of this paper. These publications are a central part of the medical journals production.

Yes, 2021 is year like we’ve never seen before, but The Empowerment Network, Inc. SURVIVED! Look out 2022!
Physicians, TEN Board of Directors
and Prostate Cancer Survivors Reflect on 2021 and Share Their Hopes for the Organization in the New Year
TEN Board Member
Dr. Arnold Bullock, Urologist
Washington University
Division Of Urology

TEN has been a vital support of resource to so many of my patients who feel alone in their diagnosis.
 
My hopes for the new year are to further increase the general public awareness of prostate cancer and recognition of the great difference in death rates between different populations in St. Louis from this disease 
 
TEN Board Member
Dr. Zachary Hamilton
Division Chief of Urology,
 Associate Professor
SLUCare Physicians Group

What it means to be a part of TEN: Being a part of TEN keeps me connected with the community, building empathy within myself and providing vital resources for the patients.
Hopes for the new year: I hope to increase the visibility of TEN within the St Louis region and on a regional scale so that more patients can be connected with this great organization.
TEN Board Member
Dr. John Dombrowski MD, PhD Radiation Oncologist
SLUCare Physicians Group

At Saint Louis University Hospital, we have been fortunate to recognize how many patients benefit from the sharing of experiences and knowledge at The Empowerment Network events. 
TEN's support has been invaluable at this challenging time in our patient lives. In this New Year, I am hopeful that each of us can grow gracefully through our life challenges and share our gratitude to each other through kindness and compassion.



Leona Stokes, LPN , Clinical Coordinator for Dr. Arnold Bullock, Urologist
TEN has given me the opportunity to be the advocate and voice for our patients that are hurting and struggle with being vulnerable enough to ask for help. My hopes for the new year is to continue to be a blessing to others and educate men about the importance of regular PSA testing.

Leona is Dr. Bullock's assistant. She refers men to TEN after
they've been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
--Mellve Shahid
TEN Board Member
Lorraine Hall
Palliative Care Specialist, BJC Hospital
Ten has help define me as GOD'S earthly helper. In the new year I pray for continued blessings flowing to the "MEN OF TEN"
TEN Board Member
Hope Whitehead, Esq.
Director, Judicial Administration,
St. Louis Circuit Court
I am a proud member of the empowerment network so that I can be an advocate against healthcare disparities and proactive in prostate cancer prevention.
TEN Board Member
Vickie Wade
Executive Vice President
Clinical Services, People's Health Center

Being a part of TEN has broaden my scope of practice to include education of male preventative screenings while providing Women's Health Care, with the hope of reaching more vulnerable males in 2022 who do not seek health care.
TEN Board Member, Treasurer
Miles Strickland
Retired Firefighter

TEN armed me with knowledge and genuine support following my diagnosis
of prostate cancer.
As a six year survivor, I can proudly say that support and knowledge has enabled me to provide insight and resources to others diagnosed with prostate cancer.
What a Godsend this organization has been. My wish for TEN is continued favorable health of our management body.
TEN Board Member
Douglas P. Schoen
Director, Philanthropy and Community Engagements at Edward Jones. 

I am proud to be a board member for TEN, an organization truly making a difference for those in need. I hope we can continue to help men and their families overcome prostate cancer. 
 
TEN Board Member, Secretary
Prostate Cancer Survivor
Leonard Holloway
Health Education Teacher
Normandy High school

Being a member on the Board of The Empowerment Network has become my life story, so rewarding and Spiritual to me. ESPECIALLY BEING A PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR OF 9 YEARS.
 
My ambition for TEN for the up coming year is that we reach and teach more prostate survivors. Therefore, meeting our goals for 2022.
Willie Clay
Prostate Cancer Survivor
My hope for the new year is back to normal living. TEN has been family and motivational . YEAAAAAAH!!!
Carl Wicker
Prostate Cancer Survivor
When I found the TEN..it was like a confident builder. My hopes for the New Year is to see the continued comradery, friendships and the continued growth all of which are priceless.
Dennis Fuller
Prostate Cancer Survivor
TEN has offered me an opportunity to extend a hand of hope and offer 14 years of survival experience!!
My hopes for the New Year... continued ZERO PSA results and continued survival support for all prostate cancer brothers!!
Sultan Saleem
Prostate Cancer Survivor
I'm empowered to the upmost by TEN. It's given me Hope. It helped to save my life. My hopes for the New Year is we get back to having our support group meetings in-person again!!
William C. Clemons, Jr.
Prostate Cancer Survivor
It is good to hear from the membership of TEN a beautiful fellowship of prostate cancer survivors. Blessings & Peace on each of you as we come to the close of another years journey. Praise GOD from WHOM all blessings flow.
Andre McKinney
Prostate Cancer Survivor
TEN helped to educate me about my prostate health at the most critical time in my life. My hopes for the new year is that TEN will grow and prosper like never before.
Leroy Gill
Prostate Cancer Survivor
TEN has been a blessing to me, an inspiration about being committed to helping men. Seeing where God brought Mellve and Isadore Wayne from, seeing them go door to door, I witnessed lives being impacted for the better. I believe the effort will continue even more in the new year.
Mike Evans
Prostate Cancer Survivor
TEN has allowed me the opportunity to share my story with other men, to know the importance that earlier detection of prostate cancer can save your life.
I hope that TEN’s platform will expand its reach in educating “Black Men” about getting screened for Prostate cancer.
Djuan L. Robinson
Prostate Cancer Survivor
God Bless each of my TEN. Family members. I'm thankful for the Fellowship.


Henry Robinson Jr.
Prostate Cancer Survivor
Bless you all and your families. I'm praying God's continued blessings upon TEN and the families, not just for this season, but throughout 2022!

Be encouraged and receive all that God has for you and yours!






TEN's Monthly Prostate Cancer Virtual Support Group Meeting
Saturday January 8th features ArchWell Health

ArchWell Health, which recently opened four locations in the St. Louis area, will be the focus of the monthly Prostate Cancer Support Meeting, Saturday, January 8, starting at 10 a.m. The meeting will be virtual via Zoom.

Headquartered in Nashville,TN, Archwell's mission is to help seniors lead healthier, happier lives through superior, holistic primary care. Representing the company at the support group meeting will be Jeanette Lauer, Market Network Manager.
Topic: TEN Prostate Cancer ZOOM Support Group Meeting
Time: Saturday, Jan 8, 2022 10:00 AM Central Time

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 467 229 4662
Passcode: 329684

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A Mission Built on Passion
I heard a statement one day that greatly disturbed and annoyed me. I heard it several times on how a mission cannot be built or maintained on passion.

They mentioned that my passion can't be the thing that keeps the organization afloat. I'm too passionately driven, and I need to tone it down and turn my attention and focus to other sources.

What they don't understand is my passion helps to define me, drives me and pushes me. It's the fire that awakens me in the early mornings and pushes me without pay or sleep to keep the mission and the dream of this organization alive. It keeps me on the phone at night, talking to newly diagnosed men who are in tears and living in the fear of the moment.

My passion is my gift to share with men who are struggling with the hardships and challenges that come with fighting cancer.


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Mellve Shahid
or
Walter Pritchard
Our mission statement
Mellve Shahid Sr. is Founder and President of The Empowerment Network Inc., a St. Louis-based, prostate cancer awareness and advocacy, nonprofit organization. The Empowerment Network, Inc. is working to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable high risk,
urban males aged 35+ years.

Support the Empowerment Network with your financial giving.
To MAKE A DONATION, click GIVE
Contact The Empowerment Network @ 314.385.0998
Visit our website: www.TENStl.org
Produced by
by Walter Pritchard, Communications Specialist
Soaring High Media Group
314.338.1436; walt@soaringhighmediagroup.com
www.SoaringHighMediaGroup.com