THIS FATHER’S DAY, THE PROSTATE HEALTH EDUCATION NETWORK (PHEN) KICKS OFF "RALLY AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER" IN HUNDREDS OF BLACK CHURCHES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2011

CONTACT:
Cristina Hernandez
cristina@prostatehealthed.org
781-487-2239

THIS FATHER’S DAY, THE PROSTATE HEALTH EDUCATION NETWORK (PHEN) KICKS OFF "RALLY AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER" IN HUNDREDS OF BLACK CHURCHES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

– On June 19th, Churches to Host Prayer Services for Prostate Cancer Survivors and Families –

[Click To Enlarge]

Boston, MA (BlackNews.com) — This Father’s Day, June 19th, The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN), announced that it will lead its "Third Annual Father’s Day Rally Against Prostate Cancer," in partnership with Black churches across the country. This year’s Rally theme is Joining Hands in Prayer and Action to Save Lives, which serves to increase knowledge and awareness about this country’s African American prostate cancer crisis.

Statistics show that Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a rate 60% higher than white men and suffer a mortality rate that is 140% higher – the largest racial disparity for any type of major cancer. The Rally will take place within each church across the country; congregations will recognize prostate cancer survivors and their families, in addition to the loved ones of those men who have died from the disease. The churches will offer a special prayer of love and healing to all whose lives have been impacted by prostate cancer.

"There is a critical lack of knowledge about prostate cancer in Black America that is needlessly causing deaths and suffering, which must be changed," said Thomas A. Farrington, president and founder, PHEN. "By hosting the rally during Father’s Day Church services, we are creating a highly visible and effective joint effort across Black communities, which is a powerful step forward," says Farrington, who is also a prostate cancer survivor.

This year’s PHEN Rally partners include the Large Urology Practices Association (LUGPA), the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), and the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC). "CNBC will work with PHEN to engage each of the nine denominations that comprise our organization to bring the Father’s Day Rally to churches within our communities across the country. We will also encourage churches to stay involved with PHEN in its prostate cancer education and advocacy efforts until the uneven toll that this disease is taking on Black men is eliminated," says Reverend Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, CNBC Board Chairman and Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, NY.

To Watch a Video of the 2010 GRACE Baptist Church Rally Service, visit:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid626881179001?bctid=626436774001

NBCSL President, Representative Barbara W. Ballard (KS), stated, "The prostate cancer racial disparity is one of the most glaring disparities, one that is often preventable, and, therefore, one we must aggressively address as policymakers and as community leaders. We are pleased to stand with PHEN in support of our constituents that are suffering from this terrible disease. By working together and supporting one another – we can overcome prostate cancer."

"LUGPA and its member practices are fully committed to working with PHEN and the National Council of Black Churches in support of the Father’s Day Rally," says Raoul S. Concepcion, M.D., President, LUGPA.

Churches can register to participate in the 2011 "Father’s Day Rally" and find additional information at www.rapcancer.org.

About the Rally Against Prostate Cancer:
African American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a rate 60% higher and have a death rate 150% higher than all other men. This is the largest racial disparity for any type of cancer. The Father’s Day Rally is a part of PHEN’s RAP Cancer initiative, which was launched in 2008. RAP Cancer mobilizes prostate cancer survivors with the resources to help others, and outreaches through PHEN online television programming, community television stations, radio and internet broadcasts. This broad "grassroots" effort reaches men and their families with education and awareness information and support with the understanding that knowledge is the best defense against prostate cancer. PHEN is a 501c3 organization founded in 2003 by Thomas A. Farrington a prostate cancer survivor and author of the books Battling the Killer Within and Battling the Killer Within and Winning.

Fathers Do Your Best. “Happy Father’s Day.”

As I look back at all the hell that I went through trying to be there for my oldest daughter Nashonda Lavette Dancy, all is well. Although her mom and her boyfriend at that time moved to Maryland thinking I was not going to continue my visitation rights, I traveled back and forth until December 1999. During those years I picked up my daughter every holiday and every 2 weeks during the summer.

I remember the last time I picked up my daughter it was not long after the 1999 flood of the century. My wife, youngest daughter and my son were living in a camper trailer because we had lost everything in the flood except what we had taken to the shelter. I had called to Maryland and did not get any answer so the morning I was to pick up my daughter I just happened to call to NewPort News Virginia and this is where they were. So my youngest daughter age 8 at that time and I picked up my daughter. When we took my daughter back to Maryland, this would be the last time I picked up my daughter.

My family and I lived in the camper trailer for about a year or a little longer. I had to make a choice whether to continue to try to find my daughter when it was time to pick her up or to just step back. I was not married when they moved to Maryland in the early 90’s. My mom had a stroke in 1995 and suffered with a lingering illness until 1997. I took care of her and I got married in 1997 and my wife moved her from New Bern to help my dad and I with her. My son was born in 1998. The flood came in 1999. From 1995 to 1999 I was very, very busy.

Maryland is a 4 hour drive one way so my family and I was already living uncomfortably after the flood so playing games with picking up my daughter was beginning to be no fun. I had very little time to waste.

I still love my daughter however we communicate very rarely but it is all good. I texted her on her birthday in April and she texted back. I felt good about it. I could say more however I have made it clear that I am here. Things happen for a reason so I have learned to live with it.

Fathers do all that you can do for your children and always remember that some things you don’t have control over. But just do the best that you can do.

Happy Father’s Day Daddies.

See related:

A Message To The Brothers