DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A recent report by the State Health Registry of Iowa estimates 2,100 more Iowa men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. The shocking figure makes up more than 25 percent of the total new male cancers in Iowa. Among them, many are expected to be African American men -- a group which has the highest rate of prostate cancer incidence in the U.S.
In recognition of April's National Minority Cancer Awareness Month, Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network, a non-profit, grassroots organization made up of prostate cancer survivors, is partnering with the Iowa Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP), to educate African American men in Iowa and promote prostate cancer awareness.
"We greatly appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Us TOO organization to educate Iowans, specifically African American men and families about their high rate of prostate cancer," according to Holly Smith, Iowa Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Coordinator.
"Us TOO provided the message and image and CCCP-IDPH created the media campaign; another example of great collaboration between organizations working to conquer cancer."
The campaign's message was created by Us TOO International and utilizes poster imagery from Us TOO's nationwide "SEA Blue" campaign on behalf of prostate cancer patients and their families. SEA stands for support, education and advocacy -- the primary components of Us TOO's mission. Just as pink is used to raise awareness about breast cancer, blue is the color of prostate cancer prevention and patient support. Based on the Us TOO national campaign, IDPH created the Iowa campaign, which includes billboards in metro Des Moines, Bettendorf/Davenport, Mason City/Clear Lake, metro Sioux City, Fort Dodge, Waterloo/Cedar Falls and Council Bluffs. Campaign messages are also being carried on Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) interior and exterior signage, along with bus shelters in the Des Moines metro area.
Us TOO's "SEA Blue" campaign is being supported by information materials, lapel pins, window stickers and posters that the organization is distributing to its more than 300 local chapters around the country. The "SEA Blue" materials can also be obtained by visiting Us TOO's Web site www.ustoo.org, or by calling 1 (800) 808-7866.
CONTACT: Terri Gibbons, +1-630-795-1002, [email protected]
SOURCE Us TOO International
