PCa Ribbon Rocks

Ashtabula today some PCa Ribbon Rocks we hidden. One was found a little bit ago. 🙂 Thank you Karen for hiding them.

Ask how you can help!

My name is Linda Hoetger, It has become my mission to raise awareness and help educate everyone the impact prostate cancer has on the millions of families across the nation. We are just one of these families. I am asking for your support to assist me in letting those living in your community know they are not alone and someone cares. Many who live in your community and are not ready to speak up yet and share their journey. I have become an active advocate and helping them along the way. On June 19, 2009, my life forever changed when my husband Ray and I were given the devastating news that he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Thankfully he remains in remission in 2019. Ray is a 20-year Veteran of the United States Air Force with no known family history of prostate cancer. We are the parents of four sons and grandparents of two grandsons. 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 began working with ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer, a national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer. ZERO advances research, improves the lives of men and families, and inspires action. In 2013, I started contacting Elected Officials for Proclamations and Resolutions supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month in September. This is my sixth year of advocating for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education. I asked the Governors office if there was a Resolution for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Ohio. Sadly there had never been one. I made sure to change that. I am happy to say that the first Resolution for Prostate Cancer was written in 2014. Since starting my mission there have been over 2,000 Elected Officials supporting my efforts in raising awareness in their Districts, and Communities. My husband and I have been invited to attend Proclamation readings and presentations during City Council meetings. Which is an honor to attend to share our story and raise awareness for prostate cancer. My goal in getting Proclamations and Resolutions from all the Elected Officials throughout Ohio is to let the men and families impacted by prostate cancer will let them know that someone cares. Also my hope is that with me sharing my story they will share their story as well. And get more men talking so that one day there will be a cure for prostate cancer and more lives will be saved. As I share my story more men and families are speaking up as wanting to attend Council meetings to share their story and receive Proclamations and Resolutions as well. I hope to one day have a Prostate Cancer Survivor from all areas of Ohio. I would love to see you encourage other Elected Officials to support the families of prostate cancer and to educate residents about this horrible disease with a Proclamation and Resolution. We are currently working with Representative Richard Brown and Representative Scott Lipps to have ZERO The End Of Prostate Cancer license plates passed, funds from the license plates would stay in Ohio to provide free patient navigation serviced to reduce financial toxicity among prostate cancer and free transportation for prostate cancer patients to doctors appointments. On June 19, 2019 it has passed in the House 97-0

There are men living in your communities who are also affected with prostate cancer and are not speaking up as this disease has a devastating effect on them and their families. It is so important to let them know they are not alone. We care and we are ready to support and educate communities across the nation about Prostate Cancer Awareness month in September and throughout the year! It has been an honor to receive Commendation letters from Representatives from the Ohio Statehouse. November 2018 I received the Community STAR from Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin for the work that I am doing to raise awareness for prostate cancer. The overwhelming support from elected officials from Ohio, Kingston, New York, Columbus, Georgia, Cleveland, Tennessee, New Bern, North Carolina, and Columbus, Indiana and Connellsville, Pennsylvania has been amazing. Some of them has shared the impact prostate cancer has had on them and their families. Join us with this epic movement across the nation. 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 and across the nation to secure proclamations from each local government.

1 in 9 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Someone in your family or you may know someone impacted by prostate cancer.  Your support is needed as education and awareness for prostate cancer is limited across the nation. Prostate cancer awareness month is in September, I am asking for your support in hopes that you too can challenge and encourage your surrounding communities to join us in raising awareness and education so men can make an informed decision if treatment is needed in their lifetime. Your support means the world to those battling this horrible disease and gets men talking and veterans sharing their story as well. While men are sharing their story, other men and families know they are not alone in this fight and in turn encourage others to share too. Please share the Proclamations on your City, Village, and Township Social Media pages as another way to help raise awareness in hopes to also get men to speak up and share too.

Each September, the nation recognizes prostate cancer awareness month elected officials have shared this with newspapers and newsletters as another way to help promote prostate cancer awareness help defeat the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. An estimated 31,620 husbands, sons, brothers, fathers, and grandfathers will lose their lives to prostate cancer in 2019. An Ohio resident has been hard at work to ensure that these proclamations are renewed annually. Linda & Ray Hoetger has spoken with local leaders to remind communities of the pain and suffering of prostate cancer. As a result, Mayors, Legislators, City Council Members, Town/Village manager, County Commissioners and Ohio Statehouse Representatives will issue a Proclamation, Resolution and Letters of Commendations declaring September Prostate Cancer Awareness and education month. And invite members of the Proclamation Team to Council meetings to share their stories and information about prostate cancer. We ask that you send a copy so that our Proclamation Team across the nation can share your community support. The copies are taken to prostate cancer events and to Capitol Hill. Below is the information for Proclamations & Resolutions.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Whereas, this year approximately 174,650 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States alone every year – that’s one man every 3.2 minutes and roughly 31,620 die this year from the disease – which is 87 men everyday; and

Whereas, in Ohio an estimated 5,340 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and an estimated 1,130 deaths will occur in 2019; and

Whereas, Men with relatives – father, brother, son – with a history of prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease; and

Whereas, Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed cancer in American Men and the second leading cause of cancer death behind lung and colon cancer; and

Whereas, Men who served in the military who have been exposed to chemicals and herbicides are at a higher risk for developing prostate cancer; and

Whereas, 1 in 9 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. African American men are at the highest risk for the disease with the rate of 1 in 6 and 2.2 times more likely to die from the disease; and

Whereas, Education regarding prostate cancer and early detection strategies is critical to saving lives, preserving, and protecting our families. The economic and social hardship it has on the families is huge; and

Whereas, Nearly 3 million men in the U.S. are living with a prostate cancer diagnosis; that number is estimated to climb to 4 million by 2024 as men in the baby boomer generation age; and

Whereas, all men are at risk for prostate cancer and we encourage the citizens of (City) to increase the importance of prostate screenings.

2019 supporters and pending

***Supporters for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month 2019 in Ohio and a few other states***
If they have a name next to them I have already received it. Others are pending and presentation scheduled.

***Representative Beth Liston - House District 21
***Representative Brigid Kelly - House District 31
***Representative Juanita Brent - House District 12
***Senator Bob Peterson - Senate District 17
***Senator Sandra Willaims - Senate District 21
***Senator Tina Maharath - Senate District 03
**Columbus, GA - Mayor B.H Skip Henderson
**Kingston, NY - Mayor Steve Noble
**New Bern, NC - Mayor Dana Outlaw
*Astabula County Commissioners
*Carroll County Commissioners
*Champaign County Commissioners
*Clark County Commissioners
*Clermont County Commissioner
*Cuyahoga County Commissioners
*Delaware County Commissioners
*Fairfield County Commissioners
*Franklin County Commissioners
*Greene County Commissioners
*Hamilton County Commissioners
*Lake County Commissioners
*Licking County Commissioners
*Lorain County Commissioners
*Mahoning Conty Commissionersz
*Meigs County Commissioners
*Montgomery County Commissioners
*Morgan County Commissioners
*Ottawa County Commissioners
*Perry County Commissioners
*Portage County Commissioners
*Richland County Commissioners
*Ross County Commissioners
*Sandusky County Commissioners
*Tuscarawas County Commissionersz
Adelphi - Joseph Hettinger
Amelia -
Anderson Township Trustees -
Aquilla -
Ashland -
Ashville -
Athens -
Avon Lake - Mayor Gregory Zilka
Barberton - Mayor William Judge
Beachwood -
Beavercreek -
Bellbrook -
Bexley - Mayor Ben Kessler
Blanchester - Mayor John Carman
Bowling Green - Mayor Richard Edwards
Brooklyn -
Brookville - Mayor David Seagraves
Brunswick
Bucyrus - Mayor Jeffrey Reser
Cadiz - Mayor Ken Zitko
Canal Winchester -
Canfield - Mayor Richard Duffett
Canton -
Chillichothe -
Cincinnati - Mayor John Cranley
Circleville - Mayor Donald McIIroy
Clinton -
Coalton -
Columbus -
Deer Park -
Defiance - Mayor Mike Mccann
Dublin - Mayor Gregory Patterson
Eastlake -
Elyria - Mayor Holly Brinda
Englewood - Mayor Patricia Burnside
Enon -
Fairborn -
Fairfax - Mayor Cardpm Sheldon
Fairfield - Mayor Steve Miller
Findlay - Mayor Christina Muryn
Fremont - Mayor Daniel Sanchez
Gahanna - Mayor Tom Kneeland
Gibsonburg -
Grandview Heights - Mayor Ray DeGraw
Grove City - Mayor Richard Stage
Groveport - Mayor Lance Westcamp
Hicksville - Mayor Diane Collins
Huber Heights - Mayor Jeff Gore
Johnstown -
Lancaster - Mayor David Scheffler
Lebanon -
London - Mayor Patrick Closser
Lorain - Mayor Chase Ritenauer
Louisville - Mayor Patrick Fallot
Loveland -
Macedonia
Mansfield -
Marble Cliff -
Marion -
Marysville -
Maumee - Mayor Richard Carr
Medina -
Miami Township Trustees
Miamisburg - Mayor Dick Church Jr.
Montgomery - Mayor Christopher Dobrozsi
Mount Vernon - Mayor Richard Mavis
New Albany - Sloan Spalding
New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day
Newark -
Newburgh Heights - Mayor Trevor Elkins
North Olmsted - Mayor Kevin Kennedy
North Royalton - Mayor Robert Stenfank
Norwich Township Trustees
Norwood - Mayor Thomas Williams
Oakwood
Olmsted Falls - Mayor James Graven
Ontario - Mayor Randy Hutchinson
Orange Township Trustees
Ostrander - Mayor Robert Taylor
Oxford -
Painesville Township Trustees
Parma - Mayor Tim DeGeeter
Perrysburg -
Pickerington -
Piqua - Mayor Kathryn Hinds
Plain City -
Portsmouth -
Powell -
Prairie Township Trustees
Ravenna -Mayor Frank Seaman
Reynoldsburg - Mayor Brad McCloud
Richfield - Mayor Bobbie Bersha
Riverside -
Saint Bernard - Mayor John Estep
Shelby -
Spring Valley -
Springfield - Mayor Warren Copeland
Steubenville -
Stow -
Strongsville -
Swanton -
Tiffin -
Toledo - City Council
Troy - Mayor Michael Beamish
Union -
Urbama - Mayor Bill Bean
Urbancrest -
Van Wert - Mayor Gerald Mazur
West Carrollton
Westerville -
Whitehall - Mayor Kim Maggard
Willoughby Hills - Mayor Robert Weger
Woodmere - Mayor Benjamin Holbert
Woodville - Mayor Richard Harman
Wyoming -
Xenia -
Youngstown - Mayor Jamel Brown
Zanesville - Mayor Jeff Tilton

Would you like to donate to Prostate Cancer?

How often do you hear would you like to donate or would you like to roundup for Prostate Cancer? I never have heard it. Petey and I have been with ZERO since 2012. The money raised goes directly to ZERO The End of Prostate Cancer. i have set a goal of $250.00 and if we exceed that we would forever be grateful. Please feel free to share with others.

Watch out Petey Momma Gator is mad!!!!

Bexley, Ohio 2019

Petey the Prostate Crusader shirts

We found someone to make Petey the Prostate Crusader shirts for us.  

$35 local and $40 ship 

Some sizes available right now. 

We only have one Gray one currently. This was our first batch made.

I have paypal available!

Representative Juanita Brent

Thank you Representative Juanita Brent, House District 12,  for your support with Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month!

#PCaRibbionRocks

Second attempt at rock painting!

As I look at them they are not a perfect as I would like them to be. But when you think about it our journeys with prostate cancer are not perfect either.

#PCaRibbonRocks
#PCaAwareness
#IwillSurvive

Champaign County Commissioners 2019

Thank you Champaign County Commissioners David Faulkner, Bob Corbett and Steven Hess for your support for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month in September 2019!

Zanesville, Ohio 2019

Thank you Mayor Jeff Tilton for your continued support for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month in September.

Education Month in September.

Pony Express

I will never give up!

7 years later I am still trying my hardest to raise awareness for prostate cancer in Ohio!

One day when I contact all the Elected Officials in Ohio they will say. Of course we will support prostate cancer awareness ad we have prostate cancer families in our community. Or they share their Journey and are more than happy to support my efforts

In a couple of months I hope that the ZERO The End Of Prostate Cancer license plates for Ohio will be on cars! I hope to be the first one to have them on my Baja!

Can I count on your support?
#ProstateCancerAwareness
#PCaProclamation
#PCaResolution
#PCAM

Senator Tina Maharath SD - 03

Thank you Senator Tina Maharath for your support with Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month 2019

Montgomery,Ohio 2019

Thank you Montgomery, Ohio Mayor Christopher Dobrozsi for your continued support for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education 2019!

Delaware County Commissioners 2019

Thank you Thank you Delaware County Commissioners for your support with Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month 2019!

Commissioner Jeff Benton

Commissioner Barb Lewis

Commissioner Gary Merrill

WEGO Patient Leader

Wego Health Patient Leader

 I'm honored to say I've been nominated for the #WEGOHealthAwards! These awards seek to recognize Patient Leaders who are making an impact with their advocacy.

S. R. No. 287

As Adopted by the Senate

133rd General Assembly

Regular Session 2019 2020 

Petey at the VA Zoo Day

On July 6th it was the Welcome Home Celebration at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! 

Veterans and their families are invited to the Zoo by the Columbus Veterans Affairs for music, food and a benefits fair. Petey went and found a new friend.  

About the Hoetgers

The Hoetgers

Ray Hoetger received his first PSA test more than a decade ago, at the age of 52. He was given the “all clear” and tested again a few years later, when a biopsy revealed that he had prostate cancer. He took action quickly: Ray had robotic surgery to remove his prostate. It was then that his medical team discovered that his cancer had spread outside the prostate, and he began hormone therapy to treat his disease. Five and a half years later, his cancer is still undetectable.

Ray’s battle with the disease and realization that they didn’t want their four young sons to face the same fight, spurred Ray and Linda into action. They are now passionate, active ZERO advocates in their home state of Ohio, often travelling to events and educating men and their families about the disease. With Ray’s prostate cancer diagnosis came a battle for Linda as well – she’s committed to raising awareness for caregivers of men with prostate cancer, and is passionate about educating women on her story and how important it is to be aware of the struggles of not only the man with the disease, but the caregiver as well.

[My wife Linda and I have] gone through this now for five plus years, and I couldn’t have done it without her. She inspires me and I inspire her, we’ve been a team for almost 32 years. We do it together. 
Ray Hoetger

In addition to all of their hard work at awareness events in their community, Linda and Ray work tirelessly to petition local elected officials for proclamations declaring September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. To-date they have received more than 193 in Ohio. They are also frequent attendees at ZERO’s Prostate Cancer Summit, and Linda’s dedication to advocacy is well known at ZERO and in the prostate cancer community. She once broke her leg while on Capitol Hill for the Summit and did not miss a single meeting.
Most recently, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty recognized the Hoetger’s hard work and declared September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month on the House floor in 2015.

A lot of the time everyone says that prostate cancer is strictly a man’s disease. And it is – but it is also a couple’s disease. And just because my husband has prostate cancer, doesn’t mean that I don’t. I share my story to say that this is how it is for us.Linda Hoetger

Our Journey

A Couple’s Journey: Our 10th Anniversary of Prostate Cancer

Ten years ago on June 19 our lives changed forever!

Senator Sandra Williams SD-21

Senator Sandra Williams HD-21 Thank you for your support with Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education!

What Petey says.....

Mom you have got to much time on your hands!!! But hey you gotta have some fun in life dealing with Prostate Cancer!