ZERO

A Capital affair

Advanced Prostate Cancer, Boston, David Emerson, Washinton DC, ZERO -

On Tuesday the 20th, I left for my visit to Boston at 4:30am. Though this was my first check-up after starting the latest clinical trial, it was just a check-up and only standard blood tests were run. I won’t  get a view of my scans until I return on October 11th. The Boston leg of the trip and the visit with the doctor were non-eventful.  When I finished I was then off to Washington, DC for ‘The Summit to End Prostate Cancer”. I attended the same event last year, but was more excited to return in 2011.
Aside from the opportunity to meet and speak with our elected officials (Kansas Senator Pat Roberts),

I was also anxious to finally get to meet in person a few on-line friends that I have know for years.
First was Tony from Las Vegas. We were diagnosed around the same time. He initially contacted me via email, but over the years we have talked on the phone, instant message and of course Facebook. He’s a great guy and a wonderful champion for our cause. I hope the people in Las Vegas realize what a resource they have in him!

Finally I visited with Sherry G. from New Mexico. She lost her son to prostate cancer when he was only 36. Sherry, much like Tony, is an outspoken advocate for all men. Not just those fighting the disease but also those men that should be and need to be screened.

Though tiring, it was a wonderful three days in Washington, DC. To Congressman Yoder and Sentors Roberts and Moran – please do your part and continue to fund cancer, and more specifically prostate cancer research.

McCain Aiming to Eliminate Prostate Cancer Research

Advanced Prostate Cancer, CDMRP, David Emerson, John McCain, ZERO -
I have always tried to avoid the politics of prostate cancer but in this case, it cannot be avoided.
Please go read the most recent copy of “Zero Hour”, the newsletter from zerocamcer.org
This are just a few excerpts:
The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program is a central component of the war on cancer and has been responsible for helping to move nearly all prostate cancer drug advancements in the last five years.
If Senator John McCain, a war veteran, former POW and 3-time cancer survivor, gets his way, more than $300 million in medical research will be eliminated from the Defense Appropriations bill to help pay for the Iraqi police force.

Though I am a big proponent of smaller government and less spending, this is ridiculous.

Please go read the newsletter and if you agree, please act!

My visit to The Hill

David Emerson, Senator Brownback, The Hill, ZERO -

Earlier this week I had the honor of attending the 2010 Summit to End Prostate Cancer. This annual event is sponsored by ZERO (zerocancer.org), an organization that focuses on lobbying Congress on behalf of prostate cancer.

The 2010 Summit focused on effective strategies for increasing the federal investment in prostate cancer research and on the last day of the Summit, we had the opportunity to meet with our elected officials on Capitol Hill.

There were hundreds of people present, primarily survivors, their family members and advocates. We came representing the hundreds of thousands of survivors and family members whose voices are not heard by our elected officials.

Although the US government has spent hundreds of millions, perhaps billions of dollars on prostate cancer research, it’s not enough.  In order for a cure to be found, the research must continue to be supported. With 217,000 men diagnosed each year, the need for a cure cannot be denied. The most impressive presentation for me was given by the Program Manager for the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Project. Her project is funded annually with $80 million dollars. Though this is a considerable sum of money, the amount has remained flat for the last five years and is actually down from $100M from the proceeding four years. This is a travesty, we aren’t even keeping up with the rate of inflation. As Ms. Best explained, this leaves her with no choice but to fund fewer research projects on an annual basis.

For me, I departed with the feeling that it is all moving at a snail’s pace. It’s like watching paint dry or grass grow.

I was forewarned that I would in all likelihood just be meeting with staff members of the two Kansas Senators and our Congressman. My first meeting with Senator Roberts was in fact with his staff. Both ladies were very cordial and took rather extensive notes during the meeting. The Senator however is as fiscally conservative as I am, so am not sure my meeting will make a difference.

My second meeting with Senator Brownback began with a senior staffer but much to my surprise, after two minutes, the Senator stuck his head into the meeting room and asked what we were meeting about. When I replied prostate cancer, he shut the door and joined us.

For the next 25 minutes I had his undivided attention . He was truly interested in my story and expressed sincere empathy for both me and the prostate cancer cause in general. We also spoke about how cancer changes you, in our cases, for the better.

When I flew home a few hours later it turns out he was on the same flight. At one point during the flight he recognized that I was four rows back and took a few minutes to come back and thank me for coming by and sharing my story and concerns with him. We may never see each other or speak again, but I felt like I had made a friend and my message promoting the importance of research for a cure for PC was definitely heard.

In addition to the Senator, I made a number of other new friends from Charlotte, Austin and a number of other locations. Washington is a beautiful city but the inner workings of the federal government would be a bit too frustrating for me.

Once again, many, many thanks to Skip and everyone else at Zero!

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month- act now!

prostate cancer awareness month, ZERO -

SEPTEMBER IS PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH:
Write your Senators today to support PCAM

This year more than 32,000 men will die from prostate cancer, but we can all help to reduce deaths from prostate cancer by raising awareness and educating men about prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is our chance to make a major impact in public awareness about the need for early detection, awareness and outreach.

S. Res. 597 was introduced last week with 28 co-sponsors in the Senate to show that our federal legislators are working to spread the word. Help us make sure that all 100 of our Senators pledge to help our cause!

Click Here to write to your Senators today and ask that they co-sponsor S. Res. 597 designating September 2010 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”

Thank you in advance for taking action and being a difference!!
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http://www.zerocancer.org/index.html
Copyright © 2009 ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer. All Rights Reserved. ZERO does not endorse any course of treatment for men with prostate cancer or other conditions. Treatment decisions should be made by a patient and his health service provider. All names, logos and articles are the copyrights of the respective owners.

For the cause….and another month in the books.

David Emerson, Great Prostate Cancer Challenge, Skip Lockwood, ZERO -


This morning Mary and I walked in the first annual Great Prostate Challenge 5k/fun walk. It’s the third year for the event but the first year in Kansas City. According to Skip Lockwood (pictured above), CEO of ZERO, this year there will be seven events throughout the country. Perhaps this year the event may even break the $1 million mark? That would be phenomenal! Next year we hope to get FLHW more involved to help with volunteers, recruit runners and walkers, and provide support any other way we can. While FLHW is focused on research for advanced PCa, this is such a great cause and a great way to increase awareness we really need to help out.

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On another topic, once again, a month has passed by and on Tuesday I have a follow up with Dr. V on Tuesday. Time is flying by lately. I hope and pray that the current regime of pharmaceuticals is working, time will tell.
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Finally, the 5th annual FLHW Golf Tournament is less than two weeks away. We have been sold out for about a week now and that makes four our of five years! We really might have to consider having an option for a morning tee off next year. That will require a lot more coordination and volunteers but I think we can do it. Donations and sponsorships are down a little this year but I am certain the amount we donate to the Prostate Cancer Foundation will once again be significant and certainly appreciated.

Your Help is Needed

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, ZERO -
I don’t ask for much around here, perhaps an occasional prayer, but have rarely asked the readers of this blog to do anything.
Well that is about to change.
Though I disagree with many parts of the stimulus package, it does provide a major increase for the National Institute of Health. Those of us in the Prostate Cancer community would like to ensure the appropriate amount of money gets distributed to our cause.
If you could just take a few minutes and click on the link below. It will take you to a page that allow you to find your Senators and Representative and even has a pre-written letter. All you have to do is click and provide your contact information.