Ironton, Ohio 2017

Washington Township, Ohio 2017

Ashland, Ohio 2017

New Bern, North Carolina 2017

Thank you Mayor Dana Outlaw and the City of New Bern for you continued support with raising awareness for prostate cancer. I am so blessed to have your support as are the men and families who are battling this horrible disease. I hope that soon I can met you and Council in person to say Thank you!

On this day...

June 19, 2009 my life forever changed. I went from a wife to a caregiver to a prostate cancer patient aka my husband. When I share with others the diagnosis. Some will say...how does this effect you it is a men's disease? It does effect the caregivers in ways some do not understand. I will not give up trying to raise awareness for prostate cancer in Ohio and on Capitol Hill. Since 2012 we have attended the ZERO Summit in Washington, DC and speak with Senators and Congress for their support for research and funding. My first trip to DC is one that I will remember forever. September 13, 2012 about 15 minutes before our meeting with #SenatorBrown at 8:30am. I took a SPILL on Capitol Hill and broke my leg. You are probably thinking I went to the ER. Nope, we made it to the first, second and third meeting that day. Those from the Summit who seen me on the Hill. Said that is dedication! Just to important to not have my voice heard. #RepBeatty has been so encouraging in helping to raise awareness for this horrible disease. On our 32nd Wedding Anniversary September 28, 2015. She spoke to Congress about what we have been doing by requesting Proclamations and Resolutions from Elected Officcials in Cities, Villages and Townships in Ohio to help also raise awareness and attending Council meetings and speaking to them as well. Thank you to those that have supported prostate cancer in your Community! It means a lot to the families who are battling and those who have lost the battle. Last year though Representative Beatty's office I request a flag be flown over the Capitol in honor and memory of the families of prostate cancer. A new branch of my family tree! Heather Harris Bishoff was also so encouraging with the support she gave us along the way. One simple Tweet is all it took! Thank you! When testifying at the Statehouse and being able to do so with you about the USPSTF made it a little easier. Thank you Mayor Rich Harman for all of the support you have done in Woodville, Ohio!

It has been hard and I can honestly say that now I suffer with anxiety, depression, emotional overload and insomminia. Last night the sandman forgot to stop here until about 2am and back awake a few hours later. :(

Before the changes in my life I never heard of the prostate. This tiny little organ is the size of a walnut and is the cause of so much heart ache. When you try and talk about it people run the other way. There is my creative way to start a conservation. His name is Petey the Prostate Crusader made from a walnut. Now you know why a walnut! I take him with me and depending the occasion he comes out for photos. Once he comes out people either get curious and ask questions or they completely understand and share their Journey.

We still have along way to go in getting the support from #TheWhiteHouse and #PresidentTrump in lighting the White House Blue in September. How about an invitation to hear our Journeys at the White House. On my Bucket List!

New Albany, Ohio 2017

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month

Whereas, Prostate cancer constitutes 19% of all cancer diagnoses and 8% of all cancer deaths; and

Whereas, In Ohio an estimated 5,840 new cases of prostate cancer and an estimated 1,020 deaths will occur; and

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

Whereas, Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to get prostate cancer; and

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

Whereas, this year approximately 161,360 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States alone every year – that’s one man every 3.3 minutes and roughly 26,730 die this year from the disease – which is one man every 20 minutes; and

Whereas, 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. For unknown reasons, the risk of prostate cancer is 74% higher in black men than in non-Hispanic white men; and

Whereas, Education regarding prostate cancer and early detection strategies is critical to saving lives, preserving, and protecting our families; and

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

Thank you for from a Caregiver!

Thank you to all the Senators and others who have accepted my Friend Request. June 19, 2009 my life forever changed from wife to caregiver. On this day my husband and I heard those devistating words no man wants to hear. Prostate cancer! Even worse people telling you. That is the best cancer too have. Really!

Since become a caregiver I also have become a Advocate for prostate cancer awareness in Ohio and on Capitol Hill. We have been in many of your offices on the Hill sharing our Journey along with others from across the nation. We also ask that you sign the Dear Colleague letter to continue funding for the Prostate Cancer Research Program.
Thank you for listening while we are sharing. You make not understand how much it means too us!

Please sign the 2018 Prostate Cancer Research Program Senate Dear Colleague letter.

This is my story.....
A caregivers prospective

Where's Petey

 Where's Petey? Retweet if you find him! Did you know June is Men's Health Month? #GotMyPSA #prostatecancer #PSAtest #walnut

Bexley, Ohio 2017

Thank you Mayor Ben Kessler and the City of Bexley, for your continued support for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month!

Upper Arlington, Ohio 2017

Thank you Mayor Deborah Johnson and the City of Upper Arlington, for your continued support with Prostate Cancer in September!

Kenton, Ohio 2017

Thank you Mayor Randy Manns and the City of Kenton for your continued support with raising awareness to prostate cancer in Ohio!

Proclamations Toolkit

**Press Release **

Each September, the nation recognizes prostate cancer awareness month to help defeat the third leading cause of cancer deaths among men. An estimated 27,000 husbands, sons, brothers, fathers and grandfathers will lose their lives to prostate cancer in 2017.

An Ohio resident has been hard at work to ensure that these proclamations are renewed annually. Linda Hoetger has spoken with local leaders to remind communities of the pain and suffering of prostate cancer. As a result, more than 300 Mayors, Legislators, City Council Members, and Town/Village managers and County Commissioners will issue a proclamation or resolution declaring September prostate cancer awareness month.

Proclamations ToolKit

Can I count on your support for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month?

Dear Mayor, Council Members, Trustees, Commissioners, Representatives and Senators

**Press Release **

Each September, the nation recognizes prostate cancer awareness month to help defeat the third leading cause of cancer deaths among men. An estimated 27,000 husbands, sons, brothers, fathers and grandfathers will lose their lives to prostate cancer in 2017.

An Ohio resident has been hard at work to ensure that these proclamations are renewed annually. Linda Hoetger has spoken with local leaders to remind communities of the pain and suffering of prostate cancer. As a result, more than 300 Mayors, Legislators, City Council Members, and Town/Village managers and County Commissioners will issue a proclamation or resolution declaring September prostate cancer awareness month.

My name is Linda Hoetger, I am a wife & caregiver of a Prostate Cancer Survivor, PCAM (Prostate  Cancer Awareness Month) Proclamation Team  Member & Advocate with ZERO The End of Prostate Cancer, the mom of 4 sons, a new grandmother of two grandsons. One is Bi-racial with prostate cancer on both sides of family. My husband is a Retired Veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  Did you know In Ohio an estimated 5,840 new cases of prostate cancer and an estimated 1,020 deaths will occur? Did you know that a male at any age has a risk of developing prostate Cancer? This disease has even been diagnosed in children, the youngest Survivor that we have been honored to have met was 9 years old when he was diagnosed with his first battle with prostate cancer. His second battle with prostate cancer occurred at age 12. I can not imagine being told that my child has prostate cancer.

My Journey began June 19, 2009 we were told the devastating news that my husband has an aggressive form of prostate cancer, we were both stunned, shocked and horrified. We had to learn a new foreign language PSA, Gleason, positive margins just to name a few. It is hard enough trying to deal with the diagnosis and finding even harder that when you say these two words Prostate Cancer, people run the other way. I know it is hard for men to talk after their diagnosis with prostate cancer, it is not just a Man’s disease it is a Couple’s disease. For our families every day and month is Prostate Cancer Awareness 24/7 365!

We are coming up on our 8th year after the diagnosis and it has become my mission to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer in September and through out the year. I am reaching out to every City, Village and Townships, Representatives, Senators, Congressional members & Commissioners in Ohio asking for support with a Proclamation or Resolution for Prostate Cancer Awareness in September and would love to have your support.  Since my husband’s diagnosis I have met many families of prostate cancer, sadly some of them have lost their battle from this horrible disease.  My heart breaks every time I hear the news and it makes me fight harder to raise awareness to let the families know that their loved one is still thought of and hopefully one day Prostate Cancer will be a disease that men will never have to hear those devastating word. I am sorry you have prostate cancer!                                    

I have gained overwhelming support from Mayors, Council members and Trustees from across Ohio and is asking for your support too. Many are living in your community and have not had the courage to speak up to share their Journey with others. With signing a proclamation or resolution from you City, Village or Township lets those dealing with prostate cancer know that they are not alone. And someone cares.   I have gained  the support from Representative Heather Bishoff, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Senator Kevin Bacon, Adams County Board of Commissioners,  Chalmers P. Wylie Department of Veterans Affairs and keeps growing. Mayor Rich Harman of the Village of Woodville has went above and beyond supporting prostate cancer awareness. By lighting Landmarks and placing Blue ribbons in the Village. In 2017 more Representatives, Senate and Congress members are joining in to help raise awareness for prostate cancer.  I have sample text of the Whereas for the Proclamation or feel free to use your own. Please feel free to share it with others as well it is my goal that every City, Village and Township will have a Proclamation/Resolution in place by September. We are again gaining support from Commissioners from around Ohio. I encourage you to contact those around your community and ask for their support in raising awareness for prostate cancer. Together we can end prostate cancer!
Every year  my husband and I attend the ZERO Summit in Washington, DC and speak with elected officials from Ohio. I take the Proclamations and Resolutions with me and share them on Capitol Hill to encourage those to keep the funding and research in the FY budget. My husband and I were on Capitol Hill March 1, 2017 along with other prostate cancer fighters speaking with Senators and Congress Members. As we were leaving Capitol Hill we learned that $10 Million was added to the budget for FY17. The budget for prostate cancer research and funding is now $90 Million.

My challenge you to illuminate a Landmark Blue in September. Some Villages has tied Blue ribbons in the town showing their support.  Please consider supporting to have Ohio be the first State to have all cities supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness.

Can I count on your City, Village and Township? Please feel free to share and encourage others to support our cause.

I have a blog for raising awareness as well. Peteytheprostatecrusader(dot)blogspot.com

Thank you for your consideration,
Linda Hoetger and the prostate cancer community

Please send a copy to:
Linda Hoetger
PCAM (Prostate Cancer Awareness Month) Proclamation Team
**please contact for address**
614-312-5576 Mobile/Text

**Please write on envelopes **
Do not bend

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month

Whereas, Prostate cancer constitutes 19% of all cancer diagnoses and 8% of all cancer deaths; and

Whereas, In Ohio an estimated 5,840 new cases of prostate cancer and an estimated 1,020 deaths will occur; and

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

Whereas, Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to get prostate cancer; and

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

Whereas, this year approximately 161,360 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States alone every year – that’s one man every 3.3 minutes and roughly 26,730 die this year from the disease – which is one man every 20 minutes; and

Whereas, 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. African American men are at the highest risk for the disease with a rate of 1 in 6 men. African American men are 2.3 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; and

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

Defiance, Ohio 2017

Thank you for your continued support for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month!

Woodville, Ohio 2017

Huber Heights, Ohio 2017

Board of County Commissioners, Defiance County, Ohio 2017

Yorkville, Ohio 2017

Thank you Mayor Blair Closser and the Village of Yorkville! For your continued support with raising awareness for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Chuy's Easton

Petey has found a new home! He is at Chuy's at Easton in Columbus, Ohio.

We Did It!

Dear Champions:

Thank you!  After 10 years, your collective efforts of miles traveled to DC, steps walked on the Hill, keys typed on keyboards, buttons dialed on phones, Tweets tweeted and posts shared, has resulted in the first increase to the Prostate Cancer Research Program in over a decade.

The FY17 Omnibus Appropriations Act has passed the Senate by a vote of 79-18. The President is expected to sign the bill into law this week.

We thank you and ask that you stay in the fight with us for another ten years and bring ten people with you!

Click to view or press release below:

https://zerocancer.org/zeronews/historic-victory-prostate-cancer-congress-adds-10-million-research-program/

Rossford, Ohio 2017

Thank you Mayor Neil MacKinnion and the City of Rossford for your support with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month! #PCAM