What Cancer Patients and Caregivers Should Know About the Coronavirus

Keeping you and your loved ones safe during this coronavirus outbreak is top of mind for all of us at ZERO. With all of the rapid changes, it is important to know you are not alone!

To help you and your loved ones, ZERO created a new COVID-19 resource webpage with links to support, frequently asked questions, and ways to stay connected. You will also find a blog from ZERO’s CEO Jamie Bearse, offering guidance on how important services and community become during this developing pandemic.

To stay connected with the prostate cancer community during this time, be sure to join ZERO Connect, an online Facebook group to support all those impacted by prostate cancer. If you need specific financial, emotional, and/or case management help related to your prostate cancer call our free ZERO360 patient support line at (844) 244-1309.

As a reminder, we encourage you to follow the guidelines suggested by the Centers for Disease Control. We will continue to closely monitor updates and guidelines from federal health experts and authorities, and share those with you. Always remember, your ZERO community is here for you in this time of need.

2020 ZERO Summit: Making Progress in the Fight to End Prostate Cancer

Thank you to those who joined us at 2020 ZERO Summit. It was a wonderful few days together learning, advocating, and sharing.

Summit attendees heard from renowned experts about health, exercise, nutrition, self-care, community, and more. Advocates also met with elected officials to share their story and fight for more research funding. visit ZERO’s Facebook page for photos of this year’s Summit.

Weren’t able to make it to this year’s Summit? Take a look at some of the presentations and see what you missed. And stay tuned for upcoming details on the 2021 Summit…you won’t want to miss it!!

Improving Care for Vets with Prostate Cancer

Earlier this month, Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) introduced the Veterans Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act (H.R. 6092). Prostate cancer is the number one cancer diagnosed in the Veterans Health Administration with over 489,000 veterans undergoing treatment. This bill will direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a national clinical pathway for prostate cancer, a standardized system of care for the treatment of what is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the veterans’ health system.

Veterans who have been in contact with toxins, such as Agent Orange, are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Establishing a clinical pathway will standardize treatment options and result in improved outcomes for these patients. Additionally, this bill will create a real-time registry to track patient progress and will allow patients greater access to cutting edge clinical trials.

If you’re a Veteran who has developed prostate cancer, or a caregiver of a Veteran, you’re invited to take a survey about your experience. The data collected via this survey will help inform better care for Vets. Thank you!

Get Muddy for Men with ZERO and Muck For Good

ZERO is proud to join the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Alliance for Mental Health in the first-ever Muck for Good! Held this June in Detroit, Muck For Good is a high-octane blast from start to finish. See what ZERO’s staff had to say about this exciting new addition to ZERO’s event series!

The course’s 18 obstacles are primed to make you fly and climb higher than you’ve ever gone before. Conquer the 5K course with friends and afterward, proudly show off your commemorative Muck FOR GOOD medal and hoist your free beer as you relive the adventure and celebrate your accomplishment. Spectators are free, and so is their front-row seat for the Start, Finish, and several signature obstacles.

Sign up to fundraise on behalf of one of our charity partners and you can run for free! Just commit to raising at least $250. Select “Champion FOR GOOD” during registration. Join the conversation with the hashtag #muckprostatecancer.

Advocacy in Action

Across the U.S., ZERO is hard at work with state and federal legislators to implement policies that will save men’s lives. Here’s a round-up of the latest results:

Maryland: ZERO has teamed up with local advocates in Maryland on a bill that will remove prostate cancer screening cost-sharing for men 40-75 in the state. With prostate cancer being the most diagnosed male-only cancer in the state, this legislation has the power to catch disease early and save lives and prevent any financial barriers to care. Read op-eds from legislators and patients in support of this effort. The final step is having Maryland Governor Larry Hogan sign it into law.

Illinois: Last month another state cost-saving measure, Illinois House Bill 4847, was introduced to the Illinois General Assembly. If passed, the legislation would require insurance coverage in the state for prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing (co-pays, etc.) for: Asymptomatic men ages 50 and over; African-American men ages 40 and over; and men age 40 and over with a family history of prostate cancer. Contact your Illinois legislator in support of this bill.

National: $110 million has been pledged by Congress to fund the Department of Defense’s Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP). As a next step, the House Appropriations Committee on Defense, will need to confirm the $110 million in the Fiscal Year 2021 DoD Appropriations bill.