YOUR Midwest Impact June 9, 2021 2020 was a difficult year for so many people, but between the social distancing, staying indoors, the loss of loved ones, we got to see many examples of true hope, inspiration, and unity. For the Midwest Chapter, it was no different. Through funds raised from the 2019 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk series, several grants were given to local prostate cancer related groups to make an even bigger impact within those communities. Today, I want to share how those grants helped the men we love and those who are living with prostate cancer. Patient ProgramsIn Iowa, ZERO created the ZERO Drive program. The program provides transportation-related financial assistance to prostate cancer patients who are currently undergoing treatment, receiving follow-up care, or attending ongoing provider appointments due to a prostate cancer diagnosis. These men are eligible to apply for a $300 debit card that can be used for transportation-related expenses such as gas, public transportation, taxis, Uber, Lyft, other ride companies, and airlines. ZERO is grateful for the support of our practice partner, The Iowa Clinic, for helping make this vision become a reality. If you live in Iowa and want more information, visit our website at www.zerocancer.org/drive.Early DetectionSeveral free prostate cancer screening events are happening throughout the year, thanks to funds raised by the run/walks and through our partnerships with local Urology practices:Urology Center of Iowa and Broadlawns Medical Center are hosting two events this Summer June 8 and June 22 from 5:00-7:00pm cst, at Broadlawns Medical Center, 1801 Hickman Road in Des Moines, IA. Walk-ins are welcomed, but appointments are encouraged. For more information, call UCI at 515-282-7390.The Minnesota Urology Foundation will resume hosting several awareness and screening events throughout the St. Paul and Minneapolis area this Fall. For dates and more information, please visit their website at www.mnurologyfoundation.org.We will also be having free PSA screenings available at several of our ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walks this Fall:August 7, ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Omaha hosted by Adult & Pediatric UrologySeptember 11, ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Twin Cities hosted by Minnesota Urology and Minneapolis Radiation OncologyOctober 10, ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Kansas City hosted by Kansas City Urology CareIn Kansas City, The Prostate Network, shifted their resources from in-person to virtual through ZOOM meetings, podcasts, and social media. The Prostate Network leaders have been very instrumental in ensuring that cancer patients, especially men battling prostate cancer, could get their COVID vaccine before the general public. They’ve advocated to state legislation officials and provided men with information regarding local testing facilities that would take them.TelemedicineIn St. Louis, The Empowerment Network was able to purchase 25 iPads for men who otherwise had no way to access health services through telemedicine or be able to participate in The Empowerment Network’s virtual support group meetings, due to the pandemic.In conclusion, you see that in addition to the critically needed programs that ZERO Prostate Cancer offers men throughout the country, our partnerships throughout the community are having a local impact. We recently lost a close friend to the ZERO family, Caesar Blevins, to prostate cancer, and he would always say “Teamwork makes the dream work”. Whether it be that sponsorship check your company gave, a donation you made to a friend, or that Facebook fundraiser you started; YOU are making a difference in the lives of men living with prostate cancer. About ZERO Advocacy Blog Posts Help & Support Screening & PSA Test Spreading Awareness Contributor Emily Sybrant, Former Staff (Director, Regional Chapters) Emily was Director of Regional Chapters at ZERO Cancer from 2018-2024. Want to connect with ZERO? We look forward to hearing from you at info@zerocancer.org! More for you
2020 was a difficult year for so many people, but between the social distancing, staying indoors, the loss of loved ones, we got to see many examples of true hope, inspiration, and unity. For the Midwest Chapter, it was no different. Through funds raised from the 2019 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk series, several grants were given to local prostate cancer related groups to make an even bigger impact within those communities. Today, I want to share how those grants helped the men we love and those who are living with prostate cancer. Patient ProgramsIn Iowa, ZERO created the ZERO Drive program. The program provides transportation-related financial assistance to prostate cancer patients who are currently undergoing treatment, receiving follow-up care, or attending ongoing provider appointments due to a prostate cancer diagnosis. These men are eligible to apply for a $300 debit card that can be used for transportation-related expenses such as gas, public transportation, taxis, Uber, Lyft, other ride companies, and airlines. ZERO is grateful for the support of our practice partner, The Iowa Clinic, for helping make this vision become a reality. If you live in Iowa and want more information, visit our website at www.zerocancer.org/drive.Early DetectionSeveral free prostate cancer screening events are happening throughout the year, thanks to funds raised by the run/walks and through our partnerships with local Urology practices:Urology Center of Iowa and Broadlawns Medical Center are hosting two events this Summer June 8 and June 22 from 5:00-7:00pm cst, at Broadlawns Medical Center, 1801 Hickman Road in Des Moines, IA. Walk-ins are welcomed, but appointments are encouraged. For more information, call UCI at 515-282-7390.The Minnesota Urology Foundation will resume hosting several awareness and screening events throughout the St. Paul and Minneapolis area this Fall. For dates and more information, please visit their website at www.mnurologyfoundation.org.We will also be having free PSA screenings available at several of our ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walks this Fall:August 7, ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Omaha hosted by Adult & Pediatric UrologySeptember 11, ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Twin Cities hosted by Minnesota Urology and Minneapolis Radiation OncologyOctober 10, ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk – Kansas City hosted by Kansas City Urology CareIn Kansas City, The Prostate Network, shifted their resources from in-person to virtual through ZOOM meetings, podcasts, and social media. The Prostate Network leaders have been very instrumental in ensuring that cancer patients, especially men battling prostate cancer, could get their COVID vaccine before the general public. They’ve advocated to state legislation officials and provided men with information regarding local testing facilities that would take them.TelemedicineIn St. Louis, The Empowerment Network was able to purchase 25 iPads for men who otherwise had no way to access health services through telemedicine or be able to participate in The Empowerment Network’s virtual support group meetings, due to the pandemic.In conclusion, you see that in addition to the critically needed programs that ZERO Prostate Cancer offers men throughout the country, our partnerships throughout the community are having a local impact. We recently lost a close friend to the ZERO family, Caesar Blevins, to prostate cancer, and he would always say “Teamwork makes the dream work”. Whether it be that sponsorship check your company gave, a donation you made to a friend, or that Facebook fundraiser you started; YOU are making a difference in the lives of men living with prostate cancer.
