FSL1 Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

Miracle Promote Prostate Cancer Awareness

Published on July 15, 2009 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels News Release


FORT MYERS, FL (July 15, 2009) - In a move to both bring attention to 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 the Tuesday, July 21st Fort Myers Miracle game at Hammond Stadium on Prostate Cancer Awareness Night. The Miracle host the Dunedin Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m.

The July 21st 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 Fort Myers comes with the complete support of the Miracle and the Notre Dame Club of Lee County who will staff an information booth at the stadium with literature about the disease and answer any questions from fans.

The July 21st Awareness Night also includes the entire Miracle 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 extolling fans to get tested early.

The night is aimed 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 nine 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. But regrettably, this often preventable killer does not receive the degree of national attention it deserves even though with early detection it is almost 97 percent curable.

"We believe our event at Hammond Stadium 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 Miracle 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 Miracle increase that awareness. We still need to support efforts to find a cure. We know there is much confusion, shame and ignorance and the need to get men and their families more informed. There is a lot of work that needs to be done and we're committed to be a part!"

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.

To learn more, call 1-877-714-CURE, or visit erbatforthecure.org

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