May 16, 2024

PHEN Ambassadors have a major impact on PHEN's Church Partnership Program and are actively spreading the word about the prostate cancer racial disparity at events across the country.

As of May 1, 2024, PHEN has launched its Florida Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally and, with the help of Tampa-based Ambassador Barney Morris, incorporated more than 20 local leaders to record prostate cancer awareness messages. These messages are being shared via radio stations based in Tallahassee, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa along with social media channels.

Most importantly, the rally embraces PHEN's Church Partnership Program. The Florida Disparity Rally will incorporate the presentation "New Church Strategies for Addressing the Prostate Cancer Crisis Among Black Men" and a panel discussion at the annual Sons of Allen retreat on Friday, May 17th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The retreat will also include free prostate cancer screening blood tests.

In anticipation of the Disparity Rally, Rev. George Hardy, the 11th Episcopal District Coordinator for the Sons of Allen, has helped bring on more than 100 AME church partners to spread prostate cancer awareness throughout the African American community. To learn more about the PHEN Church Partnership Program or become a church partner, please visit PHENAMEChurch.org.

On Saturday, April 6, 2024, Dr. Shelton took part in a panel discussion with fellow Ambassador Dr. James Smith at a local church in which 25 men attended. With Dr. Shelton's help, PHEN has successfully spread the word about the prostate cancer disparity and early detection across Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area.

On April 6th, Ambassador Barney Morris attended the 2024 Prostate Cancer Symposium at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. The event had approximately 100 people in attendance. Ambassador Morris presented on the Florida Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally as part of his prostate cancer awareness message at the symposium.

In addition, he took part in the Brother-to-Brother meeting on April 18th, focusing on providing church partnership information to attendees. The meeting had seven people in attendance and Ambassador Morris gave out PHEN flyers to those interested. Furthermore, Barney spoke with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and encouraged her to record an awareness message as part of the Florida Disparity Rally. Click here to see Mayor Castor's video recording.

On Saturday, April 20, 2024, the American Legion Post presented Ambassador A.J. Merriweather with an award in recognition of his passion and advocacy championing for prostate cancer awareness. During that same day, Ambassador Merriweather handed out PHEN bags to men with the Feed Northeast Florida organization.

Ambassador Lee Moultrie has been hard at work speaking with church leaders to partner with PHEN on prostate health awareness programs and sign up for the PHEN church portal PHENAMEChurch.org. On Saturday, April 13, 2024, he attended a meeting at the AME Church where he discussed PHEN and prostate health. In addition, on Saturday, April 6th, Moultrie partnered with the Hollings Cancer Center to support a patient fundraiser.

He is also an important part of the "In Our DNA SC" research study, acting as a healthcare advocate on the community advisory board. Researchers from the Medical University of South Carolina are leading the study, which will look at how genes impact health risks including cancer or heart disease. The project leaders are seeking to enroll African American participants to reflect the demographics of South Carolina, which is nearly 27% Black. To learn more about the "In Our DNA SC" research study, click here.

Rev. Blane Newberry participated in the "Men, Know Your Numbers" event on Saturday, April 20th at the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA. Ambassador Newberry was a speaker at the event and engaged attendees by distributing PHEN brochures. On Monday, April 22nd, Ambassador Newberry took part in the Family Outreach Program during which he discussed PHEN and its focus on promoting clinical trial participation among diverse populations. Ambassador Newberry also attended the 2nd District Conference of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on Saturday, April 27th. Newberry was a speaker at the conference and delivered PHEN brochures to attendees.

Ambassador Newberry has also reached out to 17 homeless shelters in Philadelphia to help provide free prostate cancer testing and free screenings for colon cancer and heart disease. In addition, he consulted with Prince Hall Masons to participate in their family day event taking place in September 2024.

On March 16, 2024, PHEN Ambassador DeWayne Charleston attended the Men's Prayer Breakfast at the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View, Texas. He shared information about PHEN and his prostate cancer journey. The event included 40 people in attendance as well as Mayor Ron Leverett, the mayor of Prairie View. In March, Ambassador Charleston was interviewed for a podcast called Everybody Loves Crystal. Ambassador Charleston attended another important health event held at a local college's School of Pharmacy on Saturday, April 20th. Here, he managed an exhibit table and provided a lecture on prostate cancer awareness.

Upcoming Ambassador Events

• May 8-10, 2024: The Science of Community Outreach and Engagement event, Ambassador A.J. Merriweather will attend
• May 2024: Starting during the first week of May, the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia will post the PHEN church portal in Flocknotes on Wellness Wednesdays thanks to Ambassador Blane Newberry's advocacy
• May 18, 2024: Birdie Brothers, Ambassador Jerry Womack will attend
• May 23 - 26 ,2024: Spoilers Men's Golf Conference, Ambassador Jerry Womack will attend
• June 8, 2024: Men's Health Empowerment Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ambassador Dr. Artie Shelton will attend
• June 8, 2024: Black Men's Wellness Day | The Walk To Save Black Men's Lives at 7 a.m., Ambassador Blane Newberry will attend
• June 15, 2024: First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) 2024 Health and Wellness Expo, Ambassador Dr. Artie Shelton will be present
• June 15, 2024: 5th Annual Tie One On For Prostate Cancer and Colon Cancer at 7 a.m., Ambassador Blane Newberry will attend
• June 29, 2024: Black Men's Health Equity Conference in Jackson, MS, Ambassador Jerry Knight will attend



NOTE: Ambassadors and Survivor Network Members, if you have news to share, please email jerryg@prostatehealthed.org.