Phen leads request to President Obama to light the White House blue in support of the fight against prostate cancer

 

Boston, MA (BlackNews.com) — The Prostate Health Education Network, Inc. (PHEN) is leading an effort of prostate cancer advocacy organizations requesting that President Barack Obama “light the White House blue and hang a blue ribbon” during the week of September 13th in recognition of September as “Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”

PHEN president, Thomas A. Farrington made the request in a letter to President Obama with the sign on of the members of the “Prostate Cancer Roundtable” – leading advocacy organizations across the country.

During the week of September 13th, a number of significant prostate cancer events will be hosted in Washington DC by PHEN, The Prostate Cancer Foundation, The Men’s Health Network, Black Barbershop and ZERO. Farrington also points out in the letter; “…there will probably be thousands of prostate cancer awareness events in cities and towns throughout our nation during the month of September that would benefit from, and be extremely appreciative for the White House’s recognition and show of support.”

The letter to President Obama cites a precedent for the request; “In October 2008 First Lady Laura Bush lit the White House pink for breast cancer awareness, and in October 2009 a pink ribbon was placed on the White House. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we support the continued recognition it has received from the White House.” The letter goes on to state: “However, prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer among men as breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women, and like the breast cancer awareness efforts, we need the support of the White House in our fight against the deadly prostate cancer disease.”

In March of this year the United States House of Representative held a landmark hearing on prostate cancer. A letter from Farrington with the sign on of the Prostate Cancer Roundtable members to Representative Ed Towns (NY), Chair of the House Oversight Committee, was a catalyst for this hearing. The organizations are hoping for a similar positive response from the White House. “As a Senator, President Obama was very supportive of PHEN efforts and the fight against prostate cancer, and we look forward to his continued strong leadership on this issue as President,” states Farrington.

PHEN will host its “Sixth Annual – 2010 African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit” in Washington, DC. The summit will be held on Thursday, September 16th, in the Rayburn House office Building, and on Friday, September 17th at the Washington Convention Center as a part of the Congressional Black Caucus‘ “Annual Legislative Conference.”

Both days of the summit are open to the public and free.

Information on PHEN, the letter to President Obama with a listing of the Prostate Cancer Roundtable Members, and PHEN’s Sixth Annual Summit is available on PHEN’s website; www.RAPCancer.org

PHEN is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 2003 by Thomas A. Farrington, a prostate cancer survivor, and author of the books “Battling the Killer Within,” and “Battling The Killer Within and Winning.” PHEN is based in Greater Boston, Massachusetts and implements prostate cancer education and awareness initiatives nationwide.