Wake Up Cbus!

 

Veteran’s

 Today there are over 500,000 Veterans living with Prostate Cancer in the VHA System, of those over 16,000 have a metastatic form of the disease. We are experiencing approximately 15,000 new diagnoses each year and that number is increasing. I should also point out that we have a 14% diagnosis of metastatic disease on the first diagnosis as compared to the general population's 7%. We must do more to raise awareness and educate the Veteran and Active-Duty populations.

Movember and Petey’s mustache

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Snowboarding!

Petey can't wait for the snow this year. 

He enjoys snowboarding so much! Petey had his PSA recently and he is still in remission and so happy! Have you gotten yours?

 

Petey's Bait Shop

Petey loves deep-sea fishing. On his recent fishing trip, he caught a shark. It took some time to wrangle him into the boat. but he knew that giving up was not something he was going to do.

 

Senate Medicaid, Health & Human Services Committee November 20, 2013

 When memories pop up in your timeline from 2013.

When you hear that the recommendations from the USPSTF and you don’t agree with them. What do you do when it’s being heard in the Ohio Statehouse. It’s was time to share my story with the Representatives. A few days later after I sent my concerns, I got a phone call from Senator Burkes's office. Would you please share your story at the hearing? Of course, I would! And so it began….

My Testimony for Wednesday. Hopefully, it will help make changes in prostate cancer awareness!

Senate Medicaid, Health & Human Services Committee

November 20, 2013

S.C.R. 10

Proponent Testimony

On June 19, 2009, my life as a wife had forever changed into a prostate cancer caregiver wife. My husband’s PSA rose from 7.91 to 8.42 in a little over one month. June 15th a PSA and Biopsy were done I never gave it a thought that we would be called back to Wright-Patterson 4 days later and I needed to be there. That morning of the 19th I was not thinking that there was anything wrong! But when we get to the base it was strange to hear that the doctor cleared his morning schedule to talk with us. Thought it was strange but no RED flags here! The doctor comes out to greet us and he had this strange look on his face. We get into his office and sit down and he tells us…I am sorry Sergeant Hoetger your biopsy came back positive for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Stunned, shocked, numb is just a few words that I can describe on that day. My tears started flowing. This is no news one wants to hear but for a doctor to have to tell the patient or the wife! After all the tears and trying to absorb the diagnosis. The doctor took the time to discuss the tests in-depth, treatment options, questions. Ray did not want to hear any option except the prostate is causing the problem then take it out NOW! The Urologist said to become students and learn everything about prostate cancer and so that is what I did. I did research all the options and tried to share them with Ray but he did not want to hear any of them except surgery! Ray was diagnosed at 56 years old with prostate cancer with a simple PSA blood test that the United States Preventative Task Force recommends against at any age. I do not agree with their recommendations as the wife of a Prostate Cancer Survivor and also a Mom of young sons’ in their 20’s. It was devastating hearing that my husband was diagnosed but hearing it from my sons! When there is a simple PSA blood test that could save their life?

Linda Hoetger

ZERO The End of Prostate Cancer

Central Ohio Champion

Petey’s mustaches

Petey showing off his different mustaches for Grow and Give 2021

 

The First Movember Proclamation

In 2015, the first Movember Proclamation was signed by Governor John Kasich. I asked if we could get one done and at that time Ohio did not have one. So I asked how can I change that. We need the verbiage. Not a problem! A few days later I sent it to his office and the process was started. Shortly after that, I received it in the mail. Gover Kasich continued to sign the Proclamation while he was in office. Governor DeWine has signed a couple but sadly with the pandemic, he has declined to sign Proclamations of support. For Movember or for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education. 

 

Grow and Give 2021

Welcome to Petey's Grow and Give

June 19, 2009, Ray was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. His diagnosis has given me to courage to share my story with others. I also created our Mascot for prostate cancer. Petey the Prostate Crusader. I created him in 2009 from a walnut. Why a walnut? It is the size of a normal prostate. 

Every 15 minutes, a man dies of prostate cancer. One in eight will be diagnosed — nearly 250,000 fathers, sons, brothers, partners, and friends in the U.S. this year alone.

I'm putting down the razor and picking up the cause by participating in the Grow & Give campaign with ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer. Together, we can end the suffering of prostate cancer, but I need your support!

Your donation will help fund research, patient programs that go directly to helping men and their families, free testing, educational programs, and more.

Please support me by making a tax-deductible contribution today! You'll feel proud knowing that you're helping keep families together and saving lives.

Check out our Grow and Give 2021

Grow and Give Tee Shirts