September is “Prostate Cancer Awareness Month” and high school football teams in Georgia are getting in on the act.
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute is partnering with the Georgia Prostate Cancer Coalition (GPCC) and high schools around the state to bring awareness to Prostate Cancer. High school football teams will give a “show of support” by observing September 21-25, 2015 as “Blue Week” throughout high school football in the state of Georgia. Each year in October, we are reminded to “Think Pink” in support of Breast Cancer and honor survivors. Similarly this week in September, it is our hope to broaden awareness of and honor survivors of prostate cancer with “Blue Week.”
Georgia ranks No. 5 (per capita) in the country on deaths from Prostate Cancer as 1 out of every 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The number rises to 1 out of 3 among African American men. Prostate cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer in men, second only to lung cancer.
Schools will show their support in a unique way.
For the week of September 21st thru September 25th, all 421 Georgia high school football teams will have blue ribbon decals on their helmets. All coaches will be wearing blue wristbands and referees will be throwing blue penalty flags. Blue ribbons will be stenciled on the playing fields and public service announcements will be made during halftime.
“We all know that men do not like to go to doctors and that the wife usually pushes them to go,” added Miller. “With both parents at the football game, hopefully the son, daughter or mom will force dad to get checked.”
GPCC uses 100% of all funds raised or donated are used to achieve our mission of awareness, education and free prostate cancer screenings for the unemployed and uninsured men of Georgia. In 2014, approximately 1300 men were screened and in 2015, that number should hit 2000.
Remember, we need to let every member of the family know that prostate cancer can be cured if detected early. Get checked.
