Once upon a time, there was a guy who had a prostate. He worked hard, he took good care of his family, and he was blessed to have insurance. At age 65 he took up running. He'd be the first to tell you he doesn't run because he likes running, he runs, because he likes eating.

Excel spreadsheets were made, pro/con lists were created, formulas were applied [did I mention this guy had one hell of a support team that included a reading specialist, an accountant, a social-health psychologist, a nurse, and a lawyer?] He was well supported by extended family and friends and had more information than he could ever want.

Armed with information and advocates, he got his treatment and then the road to recovery began. A goal was set to return to running. A helpful daily checklist to ensure a speedy recovery was provided by his team. A little complaining, a lot of effort, and a lot of support later and we got this:

Today, 7 years later, he is with us. A Survivor. Some folks say they "survived cancer" -- and that is accurate. They "made it through"-- but when I look at this guy, he has done more than survive. He'd hate me to say it [don't tell him], BUT I think that even though the world is upside-down right now, he is thriving.

Here's my evidence:

*He manages to figure something out each day: how to brew beer, how to grow hops, how to keep the birds away from the figs, how to make kale chips, how to get the "stupid computer to work", how to make fig jam, how to build a regulation bocce court, how to host a 5K twice in person and once virtually, How to get the county to declare September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

*He is the favorite garden partner to all of his granddaughters [human and animal]

*He continues to find ways to be a good Dad and Husband

*He runs or bikes every day; he continues his running goal to complete a 5k in every state [with a few repeats for special locations]

*Two years ago, he discovered yoga through Yoga 4 Cancer and thanks to the current state of things, he now does yoga 5-6 days a week via Zoom

*He facilitates The Fighting Men Fighting Cancer prostate cancer support group [He'd be quick to tell you that he is *not* a people person and only inherited the role because he knows how to use email--For the record: the men in the group don't quite see it that way].

*He serves as a ZERO Mentor paying forward all the help he received and lessons he's learned.

He has a lot of reasons to celebrate.

Now...what does this have to do with you?

And why should you care about an organization that has a mission to end prostate cancer?

Well, first off please know this:

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2020 are:

• About 191,930 new cases of prostate cancer
• About 33,330 deaths from prostate cancer

About 1 man in 9 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime.

Prostate cancer is more likely to develop in older men and in African-American men. About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 40. The average age at diagnosis is about 66.

[Source: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html]

"In most cases, prostate cancer is a very slow growing disease and once you have been diagnosed there is time to gather information, consider your options, and make a plan. The overall five-year survival rate for prostate cancer from 2009 – 2015 was 99 percent. This means that a man diagnosed with prostate cancer in that time period had a 99 percent chance of being alive five years later."

[Source: https://zerocancer.org/learn/newly-diagnosed/]

Why is this important?

Not everyone has insurance.

Not everyone gets an annual PSA test.

Not everyone gets diagnosed in an early stage.

Not everyone has slow growing disease.

Not everyone has a support team.

Not everyone has 2 years of running and knowing their body before cancer hits.

But EVERYONE does deserve to get tested, supported, treated, and

have the opportunity to live their second act on their terms.

This is why ZERO works to provide not only information and raise awareness but also to offer tangible help to folks every step of the way. Support for the patient AND their family can make all the difference.

Are you ready to help make a difference?

What if I told you it was easy as exhaling?

And inhaling.

AND finding a good stretch.

Are you in?

Good.

Here's my ask:

Save. This. Date.: October 17, 2020

*On behalf of my Dad and all the folks who have faced this "damn disease" [Dad's words, not mine...Ok, who am I kidding, mine too!]

I ask you to join us for Community Donation Celebration Yoga. I ask you to invite ALL of your friends. I ask you to invite your neighbors. Ask your family. Ask your friend's family and your family's friends.

AND

*Ask anyone you know

with a prostate:

Have you been checked? Do you know your PSA? Talk to your physician and get checked today.

When to check: Age 40 if you have a family history OR 50 if none.

September is:

*National Yoga Month

*National Self-Care Month

*National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Join us for Community Donation Celebration Yoga

and you can celebrate all three!

Register here: Community Donation Celebration Yoga

With gratitude and gusto,

The Daughter

Tami Musumeci-Szabo, PhD, RYT, Y4C

Founder, Hearth Yoga