|
October 2024
Prostate Cancer Survivors Newsletter
The Empowerment Network, Inc.,
a St. Louis-based, non-profit prostate advocacy, awareness, and educational organization targeting men age 40+
Prostate cancer is treatable if detected early.
"GET TESTED & FOLLOW UP"
| |
|
Together as One
We, at the Empowerment Network, celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Just like in the struggle with prostate cancer battle, we share the
objective of raising awareness of breast cancer
and encourage early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.
Breast cancer has primarily been diagnosed and seen as a woman's disease. But men can unfortunately be diagnosed with breast cancer. The occurrences are less than 1% and information about the disease is very limited.
Below is the story of Dennis DeShay who is bravely sharing his journey with breast cancer in order to shine light on the disease in men.
| |
The DeShays, Dennis and Michele | |
“That’s not Denise on that paper, that’s Dennis”
The Rarity of Breast Cancer in Males is an Emotional Rollercoaster Ride for a St. Louis Man Diagnosed with the Disease
Story by Walter Pritchard
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The annual awareness focus is on woman breast cancer survivors.
The mission is to help women by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection such as yearly mammograms, education, and support services.
For Dennis DeShay, learning about what’s happening in his body and figuring out what to do next in his treatment is just as daunting as the breast cancer he has been diagnosed with.
Right before Dennis and his wife, Michele, left for a business trip to Washington D.C., he told her that he felt a knot behind one of his nipples. She felt it, too, telling him he was going to the doctor when they returned to St. Louis.
“I didn’t know she had already made the appointment for me,” he said. The date was May 9, 2023, Dennis’ 61st birthday.
The medical team inserted in his breast a small metal device called a Magseed (Magnetic Seed Localization) to explore what was going on. Three days later his doctor called him with the finding.
“Mr. DeShay, you have breast cancer,” his doctor told him.
“I buckled to my knees. I said, ‘Are you sure?’,” he painfully recalled. “That’s not Denise on that paper, That’s Dennis.”
Added his wife: “I’m still overwhelmed with the feelings that I have. Women are the ones who get it, not men.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE DENNIS' FULL STORY
|  |  | |
|
By Mellve Shahid, Sr.
17-year Prostate Cancer Survivor
Founder of The Empowerment Network, Inc.
| |
|
If You Start Right, You’ll End Right
This quote became one of the most valuable life lessons shared with me from the voices of the past during my childhood. To this very day, I can still hear those voices echoing in my head “Son, if you start right in life, it’s a good chance your ending will be right”.
This was sung to me and my siblings throughout our childhood over and over. Yes, those lectures became song-like with its own set of lyrics and melodies every time we were caught doing something wrong or as a reminder to do something right.
As I look back, most of the mistakes in my life were due to how they started which was no one’s fault but mine. Personally, I knew they were wrong from the beginning like most of us do.
Starting right and staying right is a strong moral position that we must make in life. It helps to shape our behavior and character. It’s all based on our intentions, our teachings and beliefs from childhood to adulthood.
We’re never too old to start right, do right and stay right. Life is about how we start which determines our eventual ending and outcomes as we try to cross the finish line of life in 1st place.
As we start another week, let’s start our day with prayer, exercise, the right attitude and disposition.
This will help us “Get on the Good Foot” as the Godfather of Soul, the late and great James Brown, would say and dance throughout the day.
| |
 | |
The TEN Cancer and Information Center:
Heartbeat of the organization.
Since its inception in 2008, The Empowerment Network, Inc., has received a plethora of visitors from community and medical organizations to assist the mission of TEN.
The Cancer Information Center of TEN, 6000 West Florissant Avenue, is the heartbeat of the organization. It is where the planning for programs and outreaches originates.
Known for its flagship program, the monthly Prostate Cancer Support Group Meetings, TEN is much, much more. It is a resource depot that provides information about diagnoses, treatment options to men facing or dealing with prostate cancer, including survivors, caregivers, and family members. Some 350 survivors depend on the Cancer and Information Center as the "go to" place connect with other survivors as well as an abundance of literature.
Even more, the center is a referral designation that can direct people to medical professionals and cancer specialists in the St. Louis for questions and concerns about not just prostate cancer, but all types of cancers.
On the Wall inside the TEN Cancer Center, you can hear the ringing of the BELL OF HOPE, by a prostate cancer survivor who has been proclaimed cancer free.
It represents a survivor who has finished a course of chemotherapy, radiation. The Bell of Hope is symbolic, a goodwill gesture saluting a new survivor of their personal medical milestone.
| |
 | |
A dazzling sea of white
The 16th Anniversary Gala of The Empowerment Network sparkled during September’s National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
By Walter Pritchard
“You all are looking so beautiful this evening,” declared TEN Executive Director Robin Wright-Jones to an engaging and dazzling sea of white in the Orlando Gardens Event Center.
Family members, supporters, sponsors, and well-wishers joined prostate cancer survivors in fashionable all-white attire on September 28th for the 16th Anniversary Gala of The Empowerment Network, Inc.
More than 400 people came out to celebrate the achievement, resilience, and hope in the hearts and souls of the “Men of TEN,” a phrase coined by the organization’s longtime board member, Loretta Hall.
The picture-perfect elegance of the evening was showcased in sparkling splendor as more than 40 survivors took a group photo in the foyer before marching into the ballroom to the rousing 1970s hit song, “We Are the Champions,” by the rock group Queen. The audience rose and gave the survivors thunderous applause.
It was a serious night, honoring prostate cancer survivors, in a festive atmosphere that made the gala a memorable and upbeat event.
The evening’s MC, veteran radio personality and WFUN 96.3 FM afternoon drivetime host, Tony Scott, shared a bit of fun about how long he’s been working in radio.
“I was the deejay at the last supper,” he said, to a hearty laugh from the crowd. “I was broadcasting live with a microphone when Moses parted the Red Sea.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE GALA
CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM GALA
| |
|
Dr. Lannis Hall: Significant Accomplishments and Amazing Setbacks Over the Years in Prostate Cancer Understanding
By Walter Pritchard
Guest speaker at the 16th Anniversary Gala was Dr. Lannis Hall, Director of Radiation Oncology, Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Associate Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine.
“Prayer, programs, and services that are necessary,” Hall said beginning her speech. “I salute the men and the organization as well as their leadership of The Empowerment Network because it is hard to constantly serve people as an advocacy group because you have to raise money. So, you just can have a good heart. You’ve got to put heart and work together.
Hall gave a sobering, reality-based presentation about “significant strides and accomplishments but we've also had some amazing setbacks.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE OF DR. HALL'S SPEECH FROM GALA
| |
|
Our Mission Statement
The mission of TEN is to provide culturally sensitive education, prevention, intervention, research, support and advocacy services to males and their families on prostate cancer. TEN promotes best practices designed to help decrease the rate of death caused by cancer and to improve health outcomes among men and their families.
| |
|
Support the Empowerment Network with your financial donation.
GIVE
| |
|
Contact The Empowerment Network @ 314.385.0998
Visit our website: www.TENStl.org
MELLVE SHAHID SR., FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
SEN. ROBIN WRIGHT-JONES (RET.), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
| |
|
Creative by
Walter Pritchard, Communications Specialist
Soaring High Media Group
314.338.1436; walt@soaringhighmediagroup.com
| | | | | |
