Saving Lives in September
By Linda Hoetger
On June 19, 2009, my life forever changed. My husband Ray and I
were given the devastating news: he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
However, I was not about to sit back and do nothing! I started advocating and
raising awareness for this horrible disease that no one seems to want to talk
about.
In 2012, I was contacted by ZERO to become an advocate and was
honored to be asked to join the “family”! Working with ZERO has given me so
many more opportunities to help raise awareness and to be part of ending
prostate cancer. Each year Ray and I speak to our elected officials at the
Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit in Washington, D.C., and work locally in
Ohio to secure proclamations from each local government declaring September as
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
I began my journey for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
proclamations in 2013. I’d see resolutions and proclamations from elected
officials proclaiming months and days for other causes, and I knew I wanted to
get involved for prostate cancer. In 2013 I asked the Governor of Ohio’s office
for a resolution for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September. The very
next year, Ohio had their first resolution for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month!
In addition to the Governor, I also contacted the Mayor from my
hometown and asked for a proclamation. A few days later I picked up my very
first proclamation. It was a great feeling to know that I could impact change
locally and spread awareness of prostate cancer to the men in my community. The
more men I helped educate about the disease, the better.
After that it became easy to start sending out emails with
requests for support. Sometimes I would receive an email back from the elected
official’s office with support and a story of how prostate cancer had touched
their lives. They’d also tell me that they never knew that there was a month
for prostate cancer awareness! One Mayor even responded to say that he was planning
to start being tested.
I’m proud to say that I’ve received over 85 proclamations this
year in Ohio and close to 260 for the past three years! We’ve also had the
honor of receiving invitations from many cities, villages and townships to
attend the reading and presentation of the proclamation or the resolution.
After the reading we are asked if we want to say a few words, and we always
share our journey and work with ZERO. It’s a great way to ensure more men know
how dangerous prostate cancer can be.
I love being able to make a difference in the lives of men by
raising awareness and educating those who may not know about the disease.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is so important for getting the word out!
Make a difference this September! Every act, donation, and
proclamation helps men and their families. Join me on the ZERO Proclamations Team!
https://zerocancer.org/blog/saving-lives-september/
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