Survivors Newsletter is a Publication of
THE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK, INC.
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ATTENTION:
Register NOW for the 2021 Virtual ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit, kicking off this Sunday, February 28 through Thursday, March 4. Special guest speaker, prostate cancer survivor and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, Cal Ripken, Jr.
To register, visit www.zerocancer.org/summit. You can also click Cal Ripken's photo below for summit details.
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Closing the Gap on Prostate Cancer |
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ALARMING RISE IN PROSTATE CANCER
ATTRIBUTED TO LOWER RATE OF MEN KEEPING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS DUE TO PANDEMIC
Prostate Cancer Facts & Figures: Prostate Cancer Reaches Historic Highs in 2021 due to the pandemic when fewer men sought regular examinations with their doctors.
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New reporting from Cancer Facts and Figures shows that there's more to be done in the fight to end prostate cancer. But we at ZERO know — just as you do — that these numbers aren't just facts, figures, or statistics — they are men we know and love.
These findings represent fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles, cousins, coaches, bosses, and friends. Together, with your help, ZERO will fight to end prostate cancer and provide critical support to the men and families who are impacted by the disease.
Below are some key takeaways from the 2021 report:
*A man will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every 2 minutes, and pass away from the disease every 15 minutes.
*In 2021, almost 3% more men will pass away from the disease than in 2020.
*New diagnoses are expected to rise by 30% in 2021.
*Rates of prostate cancer are almost 80% higher Black men than in white men, and the death rate for Black men with prostate cancer is more than double that of men in every other population.
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Closing the TRUST GAP in Health Disparities |
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Kizzmekia Corbett, PhD
an African American woman, is praised as key scientist behind
COVID-19 vaccine
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Dr. Anthony Fauci said Kizzmekia Corbett's involvement is a sign of hope
-Source: ABC News
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert and a constant presence on TV during the coronavirus pandemic, was asked a blunt question during a forum hosted last week by the National Urban League: "Can you talk about the input of African American scientists in the vaccine process?"
Fauci did not hesitate when giving his answer.
"The very vaccine that's one of the two that has absolutely exquisite levels -- 94 to 95% efficacy against clinical disease and almost 100% efficacy against serious disease that are shown to be clearly safe -- that vaccine was actually developed in my institute's vaccine research center by a team of scientists led by Dr. Barney Graham and his close colleague, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, or Kizzy Corbett," Fauci told the forum.
"Kizzy is an African American scientist who is right at the forefront of the development of the vaccine."
Corbett is an expert on the front lines of the global race for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and someone who will go down in history as one of the key players in developing the science that could end the pandemic.
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"I want to make it clear that the work that we have been doing for so long I personally stand by it, essentially with all of my being."
-Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
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SHOUT OUT TO PFIZER
We thank the scientists and researchers from Pfizer in Chesterfield, MO., for joining us on our
February 13th Prostate Cancer Virtual Support Group Meeting.
Below is a photo of the Pfizer representatives.
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MEMBERS OF THE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE |
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CLOSING THE TRUST GAP BY EXAMPLE
Mellve Shahid Sr. has always been one to lead by example. Thirteen years ago, he made a promise to God that if the Lord healed him of prostate cancer, he would become a faithful servant to men and their families deal with the life threating disease.
God kept his word; Mellve has kept his. The servant commitment now includes the Covid-19 maze.
“There is a serious need to educate and inform the black community on health-related matters, especially during this pandemic and the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines,” said Mellve, The Empowerment Network’s Founder and President.
"As a prostate cancer survivor, It all comes down to trust,” he said. “At The Empowerment Network, we trust in the medicine, we trust in the science, we trust the treatments and our doctors.”
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MOTIVATING OTHERS TO HELP PEOPLE
Sheila Mitchell is a motivator. Sheila, 63, has received both of her recommended Covid-19 vaccinations. Taking the shots for her health is one thing, taking the shots as an example for others to follow is just as important to her. She was among the first group to take the vaccine on December 17, 2020. Her second shot was January 4.
"Anything I can do to help to motivate others I will try to share," said Sheila, who works as the Operations Facilities Manager at Washington University School of Medicine. "Whatever I can do to help people I will."
Sheila has a heartfelt relationship with The Empowerment Network, through her late husband, Richard "Dickey" Mitchell, who was a prostate cancer and lung cancer survivor. Sadly, in April of last year, Dickey died from Covid-19 complications. He was 67 years old.
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EDUCATION AND FAITH ARE POSITIVES FORCES FOR US ALL
Retired U.S Army Specialist 5th Class Leroy Gill, a member of The Empowerment Network and 18 year prostate cancer survivor, has had both of his Covid-19 vaccinations, on January 15 and February 5. Leroy, 72, said everything is good and has no side effects.
Leroy's approach to taking the vaccine is the same as the way he has dealt with his prostate cancer diagnosis from the start of his journey: "education and hope by my faith." He said he does think about the impressions he can make on others.
"I'm happy that I can be a support to the organization by doing things that are positive," he said "We've got so many doctors and scientists, young people - our people, African-Americans - that those things make me feel comfortable that so many are in key places to help us. But when it come down to it, education and hope by my faith is what I stand on."
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TEN Board Member Hope Whitehead receives honor from University of Missouri |
Hope E. Whitehead, a member of the Board of Directors of The Empowerment Network Inc., and St. Louis County Courts Judicial Administrator, earlier this month was the 2021 recipient of the Mel Carnahan Public Service Award from the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The award is given annually to Missourians who have demonstrated both an extraordinary commitment to public service and significant achievements in government, education, nonprofit or the legal sectors that have made a difference for the communities they serve. The award was presented at a virtual ceremony February 11.
CONGRATULATIONS!
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Our mission statement
The Empowerment Network, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit prostate cancer advocacy organization 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,
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Contact The Empowerment Network @ 314.385.0998
Visit our website: www.TENSTL.org
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Survivors Newsletter is developed, written and edited
by Walter Pritchard, Communications Specialist
Soaring High Media Group
314.338.1436; walt@soaringhighmediagroup.com
www.SoaringHighMediaGroup.com
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