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EL1 Altoona Curve

Altoona Curve To Hold Prostate Cancer Awareness Night Tonight

August 22, 2008 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


ALTOONA - In a move to bring attention to both the need, and ease, of early detection of prostate cancer through a simple blood test, Ed Randall's Bat For the Cure will provide free information about the disease and it's prevention for men and their families attending Friday's Altoona Curve game at Blair County Ballpark as part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Night.

Tonight's event is part of the New York based Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure charity organization's summer long initiative throughout minor league baseball. An expected 70 clubs throughout the United States will hold Prostate Cancer Awareness Nights through the end of August. The venture in Altoona comes with the complete support of the Curve, Quest Diagnostics, Bayer Healthcare and local prostate cancer support groups who will staff an information booth at the stadium with literature about the disease and answer any questions from fans.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Night also includes the entire Curve team and coaching staff wearing blue sweatbands during the game to draw fans' attention to the need for prostate cancer testing. Public service announcements are also planned during the game by Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure Legends for Life Advisory Board members including Elaine Orbach, widow of award-winning actor Jerry Orbach from the hit TV series Law And Order, Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, Syracuse University basketball coach and Basketball Hall of Fame member Jim Boeheim, both of whom are prostate cancer survivors, and Randall himself extolling fans to get tested early.

As with every Prostate Cancer Awareness Night around the minor leagues, the event at Blair County Ballpark will aim to inform men over 40 and their families on how early detection of prostate cancer greatly increases the odds of beating the disease. There will also be literature explaining the threat of prostate cancer, the ease of testing and testimonials from former major league baseball players supporting Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure call for increased early blood tests.

The latest statistics on prostate cancer are saddening: in the time it takes to complete a typical baseball game, more than 9 men, a team's starting lineup, will lose their lives to the disease. Prostate cancer is the second- leading cause of cancer death among men with some estimates of as many as 240,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the US this year. Overall, one in three men will develop a prostate problem, 1 in 6 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and for African-American men 1 in 4 will develop the disease.

"We believe our event at Blair County Ballpark will open the eyes of many fans about the threat of prostate cancer but also how they can fight it," Ed Randall said. "We are honored that with the help of the Curve and our medical partners, men at the game will be able to get information to start them on the road to early detection. Early detection can then lead to proper treatment and someone's friend, brother, son, uncle, father, or grandfather will have been saved, and ready to enjoy another game on another night."

"We have two goals," Randall continued, "to raise awareness about this disease and to raise funds for prostate cancer research. Our special nights with teams like the Curve increase that awareness. We still need to support efforts for find a cure. We know there is much confusion, shame and ignorance and the need get men and their families more informed. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and we're committed to be part!"

Earlier this season, Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure provided free prostate cancer blood tests at a Charleston RiverDogs game in Charleston, South Carolina and free blood tests are also planned for fans at Tropicana Field in Florida for the Tampa Bay Rays-Toronto Blue Jays game on August 26.

Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure also outfitted umpires at 53 minor league games this past Father's Day weekend with blue sweatbands that brought attention to prostate cancer and the need for early detection through a routine blood test. For all of this summer, 70 minor league teams have committed to holding Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure Prostate Cancer Awareness Nights with support also expected from the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association to have former major leaguers on hand to greet fans, distribute information and encourage testing.

Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure was founded in 2001 after the charity's founder, Ed Randall, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After treatment at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York, Ed's cancer went into, and remains, in remission. The 501 c-3 charity is dedicated to the eradication of prostate cancer and espouses two primary goals: to raise awareness and raise funds for prostate cancer research. The organization has its own toll free number at 877-789-CURE (2873) and website at www.erbatforthecure.org with information about detection and testing. The current primary beneficiary of proceeds from Ed Randall's Bat For The Cure fundraising is the Uroendocrine Research Lab at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York run by Dr. Nicholas Romas, Chairman of the Urology Department at St. Luke's and one of the doctors that saved Ed Randall's life.

Media requesting additional information should contact Jason Dambach at (814) 943-5400, ext. 194 or jdambach@altoonacurve.com.

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