The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations have partnered with St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to launch a “Man Up and Check Up” prostate awareness campaign in St. Maarten. In photo: SMMC nurses, staff and patient with Elektralyets Foundation President Mercedes Elektra van der Waals-Wyatt, Positive Foundation President Shelly Alphonso and SMMC urologist Dr. Ramos. Story on page .
CAY HILL–The Positive and Elektralyets Foundations have partnered with St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to launch a “Man Up and Check Up” prostate awareness campaign in St. Maarten.
The objective is to break the taboo of prostate cancer on the island, educate and encourage men to talk about the disease with their health care providers and with other men in the community.
The campaign includes registration drives, information sessions and screening at SMMC for registered participants. There will also be public service announcements on local radio stations; radio and TV interviews; posters; banners and social media campaigns; T-shirts and electronic billboards awareness messaging.
The first registration drive is scheduled for September 14, at NAPA Auto Truck and Marine Parts in Cole Bay from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Coordinators urge men between the ages of 45 and 70, who have never done a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test to register during this event. SMMC has agreed to contribute the expertise to review the results of the PSA, a free consultation and perform a free ultrasound if necessary. However, the PSA test will have to be paid for at the lab or covered by insurance.
The next registration drive is scheduled for September 21, at Kooyman on the AJC Brouwer Road, from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
On September 22 at 7:00pm, the Christian Faith Ministries International Church in Dutch Quarter will be the host of a Man Up and Check Up Prostate Cancer Awareness Information session with guest speakers from SMMC Dr. Ramos and Dr. Rojas, who will talk about erectile dysfunction. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free event.
On September 28, SMMC will review the PSA results of registered participants during a free consultation and perform an ultrasound if necessary.
Prostate cancer survivor Michael Ferrier and prostate cancer “warrior” Raymond Benjamin have agreed to be the spokespersons for the campaign. Benjamin along with Dr. Rojas candidly shared their personal and professional experiences on “Speaking of Everything” with Oral Gibbes earlier in September.
Ferrier has agreed to be the voice for the prostate cancer awareness public service announcements heard daily on local radio stations. Both Benjamin and Ferrier are anxious to join the conversation to spread to message of prostate cancer – especially the importance of early detection, it was stated in a press release.
Other contributors to the campaign are Elvis Harrigan from Picture This Studio; Tashiann Brown from International Liquors and Tobacco’s Vita Malt and Francine Chance for the Fiji Water; NAPA Auto Parts; Kooyman; Speaking of Everything; local radio stations and Viva Signs.
Internationally, September is observed as prostate cancer awareness month with a light blue ribbon as the symbol.
“This September, Positive and Elektralytes Foundations would like to get the men in our lives to talk about the test with their doctor and make an informed decision about the best testing approach,” the release said.
“This September let’s turn awareness into action. Early detection is the key to saving lives through screenings like the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) which helps to identify prostate cancer in its earliest stages,” Alphonso and van de Waals-Wyatt said.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/90845-foundations-smmc-team-up-for-prostate-cancer-awareness
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