Bridging Divides, Reaching New Heights Making the elimination of prostate cancer disparities our top priority Lead Founding Partner: No one should die from prostate cancer because of their social or economic conditions. Welcome to the most ambitious initiative in the history of U.S. prostate cancer programs and services. Together with our Lead Founding Partner, Novartis, ZERO will work with supporters across the country to invest $20 million into the communities hit hardest by prostate cancer. It's time to create healthcare solutions that dramatically improve care and save lives. We do not take this lightly. The medical community has known about prostate cancer disparities for decades, but the causes are daunting — systemic and medical — and will require long-term solutions. A lack of simple solutions has led to insufficient action. The status quo is unacceptable, and it ends now. It's time to make the issue of prostate cancer too big to ignore. The Problem Despite advances in early detection and treatment, prostate cancer continues to exact a devastating toll on under-resourced and under-served communities across the country. Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved populations, in particular, carry the disease's greatest burden. More than 35K patients are projected to lose their lives to this disease in 2025 alone Black men have a 75% higher risk of being diagnosed with metastatic disease by the time they are diagnosed with prostate cancer Military Veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer Healthcare DisparitiesBehind these troubling statistics lie deeply entrenched healthcare disparities: Lack of access to health care information and screeningLack of trustLack of diversity in the care team Barriers exist at every point, from screening and diagnosis to accessing cutting-edge treatments. ZERO has made the elimination of prostate cancer disparities central to our mission. But right now, our reach exceeds our grasp. The Solution Blitz The Barriers will transform communities by addressing the significant disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. To address these barriers, ZERO's comprehensive approach will work both in-person and virtually to dismantle obstacles, empower communities, and pave the way for more sustainable interventions through education, patient support, community engagement, and advocacy. By 2030, we will increase screening in our pilot community populations by 20%, with a goal of saving over 30,000 lives. By 2035, we will save over 100,000 lives We will add 3 years of life to each patient, years they desperately want to spend with their loved ones Initiative ApproachServe over 500,000 people with educational programs, screening, and services for patientsChange the conversation about prostate cancer with messaging and awareness to reach over 25 million peopleLaunch ZERO-led mission programs in (2) pilot markets of greatest need - Atlanta and Baltimore. Expand to at least 12 communities with the greatest disparities by 2027. Programs will include awareness, outreach, education, and support initiativesEngage and Educate at least 10,000 at-risk individuals annually through community outreach and partnerships in each communityDriving screening at ZERO-sponsored programs for 3,000 at-risk individuals per community each yearDrive screenings to individual providers through education and outreachProvide personalized patient navigation services in pilot communities, beginning in year twoEstablish an online community within two yearsLaunch 24-7 support tool to provide immediate assistance to patients and caregivers annuallySupport group meetings in the pilot marketsIn-patient navigation pilots, increase patient understanding of Standard of Care (SoC) treatment options and shared decision-makingImprove patient satisfaction with support services and access to financial resourcesRecruit, train, engage, and deploy community-based mission volunteersZERO Signature Mission Events focused on health and outreach within communities Lead Founding Partner Novartis is an innovative medicines company that works to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Community Partners Become a Partner This groundbreaking initiative would not be possible without the support of our partners. It takes a commitment from everyone to eliminate gaps in prostate cancer survival. Our shared mission will be achieved with the support of corporate partners, community partners, and volunteers within every community who are committed to saving lives. Join Us. Your Name First Last Email Address Organization I'm interested in learning more about: Becoming a Volunteer Corporate Partnerships Community Partnerships Leave this field blank News and Stories Jim Williams, A Prostate Cancer Survivor and Health Equity Advocate From COVID-19 to Cancer: Overcoming Health Inequities Together Five Questions for ZERO's New Chief Mission Officer The Silent Killer: Prostate Cancer in the African American Community Veterans, Prostate Cancer, and ZERO A Sense of Urgency: Black Men Are Dying at Twice the Rate of White Men from Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer in the Latin Community I'm Living Proof: Jerry Bembry's Prostate Cancer Journey A Veteran’s Call To Action Frequently Asked Questions Expand All What is Blitz The Barriers? ZERO Prostate Cancer’s Blitz The Barriers is a bold $20 million initiative aimed at closing gaps in prostate cancer care and survival within communities that experience the highest risk. The initiative launched on February 18, 2025, during National Cancer Prevention Month and Black History Month with a $7.5M commitment from Lead Founding Partner, Novartis. This commitment will fuel outreach, education, and technology-based interventions in communities where Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved, in particular, carry the disease’s greatest burden. The initiative has an ambitious goal to save 100,000 lives across (12) pilot markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Mississippi, Appalachia, and Houston over the next ten years. Why has this initiative been created? Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States, claiming a life every 15 minutes. Black men are 75% more likely to develop aggressive, metastatic disease and 2 times more likely to die from it. In some areas of the country, the disparity is even higher. These challenges are too big to ignore, especially in communities where taboo, mistrust, or limited resources have kept life-saving education and care out of reach.We know that increased awareness, early detection, and high-quality care are key to eliminating prostate cancer disparities and helping individuals lead their longest and healthiest lives. Collaborations with trusted local organizations, such as community health centers, faith-based groups, and local and national community-based organizations, will amplify Blitz The Barriers’s ability to deliver access to trusted experts, accurate information, and a strong support network that can transform the cancer journey for those most affected by prostate cancer. No one should die from prostate cancer because of their social or economic conditions, which include factors like zip code, income, race, and ethnicity. Who does the Blitz The Barriers support? Blitz The Barriers supports those most affected by prostate cancer: individuals at risk, their caregivers, and their loved ones. With Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved bearing the greatest burden of this disease, the initiative focuses on communities where its efforts can have the most transformative impact.This initiative will not only serve Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved in the pilot markets. Education, support groups, patient navigation, and outreach will be available to all who need it in each market. Additionally, local and national awareness campaigns will be launched to reach everyone at risk for the disease. What are some of the barriers facing those at risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer? Highest-risk populations are more likely to die from the disease due to a combination of factors, including limited access to healthcare, systemic inequities, mistrust of the medical system, and cultural stigmas around discussing health issues. Blitz The Barriers will address these challenges and break down barriers all men face regarding access to screenings and early diagnosis. If prostate cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Our ultimate goal: ZERO Stigma. ZERO Barriers. ZERO Deaths. Why is the initiative launching now? Blitz The Barriers launched in February 2025 to align with National Cancer Prevention Month, a key time for raising awareness and encouraging early detection through life-saving cancer screenings. Additionally, launching during Black History Month enables the project to honor and directly engage Black communities at higher risk while underscoring the critical need for prevention and health equity. The campaign will launch later this year in Atlanta and Baltimore/Washington, D.C., expanding to 12 markets over the next three years, including New Orleans, Detroit, and Houston. How does this initiative plan to make an impact in communities? By 2035, Blitz The Barriers aims to increase prostate cancer screenings by over 20% across (12) highest-risk communities to save over 100,000 lives. This impact will be achieved through a multi-faceted approach that includes partnerships with local and national organizations to deliver:Educational and Screening Initiatives: Hosting 750 community events to provide educational programs and resources as well as free and low-cost screeningsSupport for Patients and Caregivers: Conducting more than 1,000 support group meetings tailored to the needs of patients and their families24-7 Professional Support: Offering a round-the-clock resource to connect individuals with trained professionals for guidance, to answer questions, and to provide emotional supportOnline Peer Support: Creating an online community to foster connection and facilitate peer-to-peer encouragementPatient Navigation Services: Dedicated patient navigators embedded within local urology practices to provide personalized, timely support immediately following diagnosisThe initiative recognizes that achieving true health equity in prostate cancer care requires a combination of grassroots efforts and systemic changes. To increase equitable access to care, the initiative will influence public policy at both the local and national levels. Key goals include improving participation in clinical trials for life-saving treatments, advocating for insurance coverage and cost-saving measures, and addressing structural barriers. This approach, combining community-focused interventions with policy advocacy, aims to create a ripple effect that transforms prostate cancer care far beyond our pilot communities. How were the (12) Pilot Markets selected, and will other markets be added? Validated national data from research, advocacy, healthcare, and government agencies was reviewed to identify communities with the greatest incidence of prostate cancer. After this initial step, we looked more closely at the community data and identified the sub-populations within these communities with the highest racial and occupational disparities in screening, treatment engagement, and mortality for prostate cancer, which provided the criteria for selecting the initial pilot markets. As we continue to monitor community-level data as it becomes available, we may (in collaboration with our national partners), select additional markets, or change the order of implementation for the Pilot Markets currently selected. Who is behind this initiative? Blitz The Barriers is led by ZERO Prostate Cancer, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to ending prostate cancer through advocacy, awareness, and support. Novartis, an innovative medicines company committed to reimaging medicine and cancer care, is the Project's Lead Founding Partner and has committed $7.5 million to fuel outreach, education, and technology-based interventions in pilot communities. Together, they bring expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to advancing health outcomes for all.Blitz The Barriers will launch with Phi Beta Sigma fraternity as a national community partner and will announce additional community and funding partners to support the project’s local implementation and fuel the work over the next three to ten years. How can community and healthcare leaders and members of the public get involved? There are several ways to get involved with Blitz The Barriers, all of which begin by visiting the campaign’s website at zerocancer.org/blitz. The site provides resources and tools that can help educate individuals about prostate cancer and direct them to resources that encourage screening and point to resources for treatment and care. Where can I go to learn more about the Blitz The Barriers? Visit the ZERO Prostate Cancer website (zerocancer.org/blitz) or follow the campaign on social media at (@zeroprostatecancer on Facebook & Instagram, or @zerocancer on X) to stay updated on events, resources, and ways to contribute.
No one should die from prostate cancer because of their social or economic conditions. Welcome to the most ambitious initiative in the history of U.S. prostate cancer programs and services. Together with our Lead Founding Partner, Novartis, ZERO will work with supporters across the country to invest $20 million into the communities hit hardest by prostate cancer. It's time to create healthcare solutions that dramatically improve care and save lives. We do not take this lightly. The medical community has known about prostate cancer disparities for decades, but the causes are daunting — systemic and medical — and will require long-term solutions. A lack of simple solutions has led to insufficient action. The status quo is unacceptable, and it ends now. It's time to make the issue of prostate cancer too big to ignore.
The Problem Despite advances in early detection and treatment, prostate cancer continues to exact a devastating toll on under-resourced and under-served communities across the country. Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved populations, in particular, carry the disease's greatest burden. More than 35K patients are projected to lose their lives to this disease in 2025 alone Black men have a 75% higher risk of being diagnosed with metastatic disease by the time they are diagnosed with prostate cancer Military Veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer
Healthcare DisparitiesBehind these troubling statistics lie deeply entrenched healthcare disparities: Lack of access to health care information and screeningLack of trustLack of diversity in the care team Barriers exist at every point, from screening and diagnosis to accessing cutting-edge treatments. ZERO has made the elimination of prostate cancer disparities central to our mission. But right now, our reach exceeds our grasp.
The Solution Blitz The Barriers will transform communities by addressing the significant disparities in prostate cancer outcomes. To address these barriers, ZERO's comprehensive approach will work both in-person and virtually to dismantle obstacles, empower communities, and pave the way for more sustainable interventions through education, patient support, community engagement, and advocacy. By 2030, we will increase screening in our pilot community populations by 20%, with a goal of saving over 30,000 lives. By 2035, we will save over 100,000 lives We will add 3 years of life to each patient, years they desperately want to spend with their loved ones
Initiative ApproachServe over 500,000 people with educational programs, screening, and services for patientsChange the conversation about prostate cancer with messaging and awareness to reach over 25 million peopleLaunch ZERO-led mission programs in (2) pilot markets of greatest need - Atlanta and Baltimore. Expand to at least 12 communities with the greatest disparities by 2027. Programs will include awareness, outreach, education, and support initiativesEngage and Educate at least 10,000 at-risk individuals annually through community outreach and partnerships in each communityDriving screening at ZERO-sponsored programs for 3,000 at-risk individuals per community each yearDrive screenings to individual providers through education and outreachProvide personalized patient navigation services in pilot communities, beginning in year twoEstablish an online community within two yearsLaunch 24-7 support tool to provide immediate assistance to patients and caregivers annuallySupport group meetings in the pilot marketsIn-patient navigation pilots, increase patient understanding of Standard of Care (SoC) treatment options and shared decision-makingImprove patient satisfaction with support services and access to financial resourcesRecruit, train, engage, and deploy community-based mission volunteersZERO Signature Mission Events focused on health and outreach within communities
Lead Founding Partner Novartis is an innovative medicines company that works to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Community Partners
Become a Partner This groundbreaking initiative would not be possible without the support of our partners. It takes a commitment from everyone to eliminate gaps in prostate cancer survival. Our shared mission will be achieved with the support of corporate partners, community partners, and volunteers within every community who are committed to saving lives. Join Us. Your Name First Last Email Address Organization I'm interested in learning more about: Becoming a Volunteer Corporate Partnerships Community Partnerships Leave this field blank
News and Stories Jim Williams, A Prostate Cancer Survivor and Health Equity Advocate From COVID-19 to Cancer: Overcoming Health Inequities Together Five Questions for ZERO's New Chief Mission Officer The Silent Killer: Prostate Cancer in the African American Community Veterans, Prostate Cancer, and ZERO A Sense of Urgency: Black Men Are Dying at Twice the Rate of White Men from Prostate Cancer Prostate Cancer in the Latin Community I'm Living Proof: Jerry Bembry's Prostate Cancer Journey A Veteran’s Call To Action
Frequently Asked Questions Expand All What is Blitz The Barriers? ZERO Prostate Cancer’s Blitz The Barriers is a bold $20 million initiative aimed at closing gaps in prostate cancer care and survival within communities that experience the highest risk. The initiative launched on February 18, 2025, during National Cancer Prevention Month and Black History Month with a $7.5M commitment from Lead Founding Partner, Novartis. This commitment will fuel outreach, education, and technology-based interventions in communities where Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved, in particular, carry the disease’s greatest burden. The initiative has an ambitious goal to save 100,000 lives across (12) pilot markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Mississippi, Appalachia, and Houston over the next ten years. Why has this initiative been created? Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States, claiming a life every 15 minutes. Black men are 75% more likely to develop aggressive, metastatic disease and 2 times more likely to die from it. In some areas of the country, the disparity is even higher. These challenges are too big to ignore, especially in communities where taboo, mistrust, or limited resources have kept life-saving education and care out of reach.We know that increased awareness, early detection, and high-quality care are key to eliminating prostate cancer disparities and helping individuals lead their longest and healthiest lives. Collaborations with trusted local organizations, such as community health centers, faith-based groups, and local and national community-based organizations, will amplify Blitz The Barriers’s ability to deliver access to trusted experts, accurate information, and a strong support network that can transform the cancer journey for those most affected by prostate cancer. No one should die from prostate cancer because of their social or economic conditions, which include factors like zip code, income, race, and ethnicity. Who does the Blitz The Barriers support? Blitz The Barriers supports those most affected by prostate cancer: individuals at risk, their caregivers, and their loved ones. With Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved bearing the greatest burden of this disease, the initiative focuses on communities where its efforts can have the most transformative impact.This initiative will not only serve Black men, Veterans, and rural underserved in the pilot markets. Education, support groups, patient navigation, and outreach will be available to all who need it in each market. Additionally, local and national awareness campaigns will be launched to reach everyone at risk for the disease. What are some of the barriers facing those at risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer? Highest-risk populations are more likely to die from the disease due to a combination of factors, including limited access to healthcare, systemic inequities, mistrust of the medical system, and cultural stigmas around discussing health issues. Blitz The Barriers will address these challenges and break down barriers all men face regarding access to screenings and early diagnosis. If prostate cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Our ultimate goal: ZERO Stigma. ZERO Barriers. ZERO Deaths. Why is the initiative launching now? Blitz The Barriers launched in February 2025 to align with National Cancer Prevention Month, a key time for raising awareness and encouraging early detection through life-saving cancer screenings. Additionally, launching during Black History Month enables the project to honor and directly engage Black communities at higher risk while underscoring the critical need for prevention and health equity. The campaign will launch later this year in Atlanta and Baltimore/Washington, D.C., expanding to 12 markets over the next three years, including New Orleans, Detroit, and Houston. How does this initiative plan to make an impact in communities? By 2035, Blitz The Barriers aims to increase prostate cancer screenings by over 20% across (12) highest-risk communities to save over 100,000 lives. This impact will be achieved through a multi-faceted approach that includes partnerships with local and national organizations to deliver:Educational and Screening Initiatives: Hosting 750 community events to provide educational programs and resources as well as free and low-cost screeningsSupport for Patients and Caregivers: Conducting more than 1,000 support group meetings tailored to the needs of patients and their families24-7 Professional Support: Offering a round-the-clock resource to connect individuals with trained professionals for guidance, to answer questions, and to provide emotional supportOnline Peer Support: Creating an online community to foster connection and facilitate peer-to-peer encouragementPatient Navigation Services: Dedicated patient navigators embedded within local urology practices to provide personalized, timely support immediately following diagnosisThe initiative recognizes that achieving true health equity in prostate cancer care requires a combination of grassroots efforts and systemic changes. To increase equitable access to care, the initiative will influence public policy at both the local and national levels. Key goals include improving participation in clinical trials for life-saving treatments, advocating for insurance coverage and cost-saving measures, and addressing structural barriers. This approach, combining community-focused interventions with policy advocacy, aims to create a ripple effect that transforms prostate cancer care far beyond our pilot communities. How were the (12) Pilot Markets selected, and will other markets be added? Validated national data from research, advocacy, healthcare, and government agencies was reviewed to identify communities with the greatest incidence of prostate cancer. After this initial step, we looked more closely at the community data and identified the sub-populations within these communities with the highest racial and occupational disparities in screening, treatment engagement, and mortality for prostate cancer, which provided the criteria for selecting the initial pilot markets. As we continue to monitor community-level data as it becomes available, we may (in collaboration with our national partners), select additional markets, or change the order of implementation for the Pilot Markets currently selected. Who is behind this initiative? Blitz The Barriers is led by ZERO Prostate Cancer, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to ending prostate cancer through advocacy, awareness, and support. Novartis, an innovative medicines company committed to reimaging medicine and cancer care, is the Project's Lead Founding Partner and has committed $7.5 million to fuel outreach, education, and technology-based interventions in pilot communities. Together, they bring expertise, resources, and a shared commitment to advancing health outcomes for all.Blitz The Barriers will launch with Phi Beta Sigma fraternity as a national community partner and will announce additional community and funding partners to support the project’s local implementation and fuel the work over the next three to ten years. How can community and healthcare leaders and members of the public get involved? There are several ways to get involved with Blitz The Barriers, all of which begin by visiting the campaign’s website at zerocancer.org/blitz. The site provides resources and tools that can help educate individuals about prostate cancer and direct them to resources that encourage screening and point to resources for treatment and care. Where can I go to learn more about the Blitz The Barriers? Visit the ZERO Prostate Cancer website (zerocancer.org/blitz) or follow the campaign on social media at (@zeroprostatecancer on Facebook & Instagram, or @zerocancer on X) to stay updated on events, resources, and ways to contribute.
