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How was this initiative started?
Neil Norris was diligent about his medical exams and prioritizing his health, so when he went with his wife Shawna to get his routine physical, he didn't think much of it. Since Neil was approaching 50, his long-time primary care physician recommended that he get the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Despite Neil having normal digital rectal exams and no family history of prostate cancer, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2024. After receiving treatment (Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy), Neil has a positive prognosis as a prostate cancer survivor, thanks to his primary care physicians' early intervention. There are 3.3 + prostate cancer survivors alive in the USA, and with early detection and treatment Neil is now one of them.
Neil and Shawna have been sharing their story and advocating strongly for awareness and screenings for Black men in the US and Caribbean, who are being diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age and who have the highest documented incidence rates.
The Initiative: As a result of their advocacy, Shawna’s fellow Morgan State University alumnus, Kenji Jackson, President of Tenacious Talented & Capable Inc. Fraternity (TTC), partnered with Shawna and Neil’s company 2Twenty Coaching to create the Prostate Cancer Awareness Screening Initiative. The initiative has gained the support and partnership of Morgan State University, Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, ZERO Prostate Cancer, and Big Smile Foundation.
The Mission: The mission of the initiative is to raise awareness, provide critical resources, and offer free prostate cancer screenings for men in the community, particularly Black men who are at higher risk for prostate cancer.
The initiative kicked off its first annual event in October during Morgan State University’s 2024 Homecoming in Baltimore, MD, with opportunities to donate, pledge to be tested, and get tested for free via the Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Clinic on the campus of Morgan State University, November 2nd. The test, administered by health care professionals, is the PSA blood test. All participants will be encouraged to report their results to their primary physician or our partnering urology provider for follow-up. For more information on prostate cancer visit: Mount Sinai Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening | Mount Sinai - New York
Prostate cancer is a silent killer, but early detection saves lives. Together, we can make a difference. Will you join us in this fight?
If you or your organization would like to participate, your involvement will help improve community health and show your dedication to addressing health disparities. All donations received through the initiative's nonprofit partner, Big Smile Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organization), will be given to Mount Sinai Hospital to assist in operation of the mobile clinic that will provide testing in underserved communities.
If you are a business, institution, or urology practice interested in sponsoring, donating, or otherwise supporting this event, please contact admin@2twentycoaching.com or (301) 500-0820.