The Buffalo Bills and Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) have teamed together to form a stampede against prostate cancer. The Bills and Roswell hosted a complimentary prostate cancer screening event at Ralph Wilson Stadium's Paul Maguire club on October 4th and 168 men took advantage of the opportunity.
David Nelson, Bills wide receiver and spokesperson for Roswell's prostate cancer awareness campaign, was joined by Bills Alumni, Jills Cheerleaders, Billy Buffalo and a host of doctors and care givers from Roswell Park to encourage and thank fans for participating in the free clinic.
"This is personal to me because my dad was able to get his prostate cancer detected early and get it cured," said Nelson. "He was able to seek this treatment right here at Roswell and they were great. I owe this to them for the treatment they gave my dad. Promoting this cause is important, and the community of Western New York is lucky to have Roswell Park in their back yard."
Booker Edgerson, Bills Wall of Famer and Bills Alumni president, is a prostate cancer survivor himself.
"I think it is a great opportunity for not only Roswell but for the Buffalo Bills and the team, for the guys that play the game," said Edgerson. "We know that they (Bills players) don't have prostate problems at this point, but their fathers and grandfathers may be at the age to get the screening and information provided by Roswell. It is an awareness thing, and what Roswell and the Buffalo Bills have partnered to do to inform our team, family, and fans is a great thing."
Prostate cancer screening can reduce a man's risk up to 90%.
"My cancer was flagged very early," said Edgerson. "I was getting screened every six months, not necessarily all for prostate but being proactive about my health. About three days after I had my test taken, I was informed I had prostate cancer. It was a good thing that I was having myself checked for things like this. It was caught very early and taken care of, and here I am 14 years later feeling great!"
One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
"Prostate Cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects men and is curable when found early," said Dr. Donald Trump, Roswell Park president and CEO. "This partnership is helping to get that message out. This will lead to people getting detected early and getting it cured."
The screening event was done in connection with the American Urological Association Foundation's Know Your Stats about Prostate Cancer® campaign. RPCI doctors performed free screenings and the men screened were treated to a Bills stadium tour, met and received autographs and photos from Bills Alumni, Bills wide receiver David Nelson, Jills Cheerleaders, and Billy Buffalo.
"David's father and many young men have fathers that are in their forties," said Trump. "That is the time to start with the screenings. Because of the dialog that David and his father have had, David knows how important getting these tests are. This will create the awareness that is needed and it will be spread to fans, family, and other young men."
Nelson noted the importance of screening and early detection.
"This has nothing to do with what we do on the field and everything to do with the importance of getting this screening done and what it could mean long term," said Nelson. "My dad's life was saved by early detection and this is what it is all about."
The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. RPCI, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI's website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.
For more information about the Know Your Stats campaign at Roswell Park, visit http://www.roswellpark.org/knowyourstats.
"Screening for cancer saves lives, and screening for prostate cancer will save the lives of men when diagnosed early," said Trump. "Saving lives is what Roswell Park is all about. The Buffalo Bills are a wonderful partner in making that happen."
