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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 2013)
Health Philadelphia Foundation to Create Black Research Group A the city of brotherly love to have this initiative. What is really set- ting Philadelphia apart in terms of making medical advances in prostate cancer is that we have five medical schools here,” she pointed out. The foundation would use the funds to hire a director for the research program and build the research group. The goal is to launch the research group by June 1, 2014. Last year, PCCF launched an African-American committee which is led by Congressman Chaka Fattah. Various athletes, physicians business and commu- nity leaders are members of the community. Dr. Curtiland Deville, commit- tee member and a radiation ‘What’s more compelling is Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men are’ Page 8 The Portland Skanner November 6, 2013 PHOTO SUBMITTED BY THE PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION your opportunity to buy into [finding] the reason why Black men are more affected by prostate cancer,” he stated. n initiative is underway to raise Congressman Fattah has funds for a unique research effort. been instrumental in helping to The Philadelphia Prostate Cancer raise money for the cause. Foundation is striving to raise $400,000 to “What I’ve agreed to do is to launch the first African American prostate try to raise awareness and to cancer research group. raise money so that we could “This is one of the most important proj- develop a coordinated ects that I have ever worked on because of approach, centered in the the chance there is to make a difference,” Philadelphia area but national said Rebecca Boudwin, executive director in scope, to have researchers of the PPCF. try to delineate why the disease Boudwin noted that one out of two plays out differently for African-American men will be diagnosed African-American men. We with prostate cancer. think that if we can figure out “We want to find the cause of why this is why it seems to be more ener- happening and we want to find a cure. gized among Mike Milken, founder and chairman, That’s the goal of this project. What we African-American men, maybe really need is the entire city of Philadelphia we can help all men,” said Fat- Philadelphia Prostate Cancer Foundation with behind us.” tah. Congressman Chaka Fattah, who chairs the If the founda- He noted that the Philadel- organization’s African American committee tion is phia region has the highest successful in percentage of researchers at meeting its oncologist at are twice as likely to die from prostate can- medical institutions in the country who are fundraising studying prostate cancer. University of cer, than white men are,” said Deville. “The bottom line is we don’t know what goal by the end “What we want to do is try to get them to Pennsylvania of the year, said there are a those reasons are. Are there socioeconomic work together so that the research may pro- Boudwin said number of fac- issues with healthcare access – issues with ceed more quickly,” Fattah said. the organiza- “What I’m trying to do is to help more the tors that need to bias or institutional racism? Or are there — Curtiland Deville M.D. be studied to underlying environmental factors – diet and process forward in a way in which we can tion would be eligible for determine why lifestyle and underlying biologic issues? I get a more positive and rapid result.” larger govern- He partnered with Sens. Vincent Hughes African Ameri- think all of those are factors that need to be ment grants by entities such as the National can men have higher incidents of prostate studied and investigated and we need fund- and Anthony Williams to host a charity golf ing to be able to do that,” Institutes of Health. fundraiser on Sept. 30. Fattah chairs the cancer than white men. “Basically PCCF has said Philadelphia Congressional Black Congressional Black “We think that there is no other place than “What’s more compelling is Black men can be a great model for us to study these Caucus Foundation which is also support- disparities. We have the population that is ing the fundraising effort. affected and we also have the medical Founded by Mike Milken, the PCF is the resources with having multiple institutions leading philanthropic organization funding that can devote study to it.” and accelerating research globally. Deville said this is an opportunity the For information community to become involved in support- visit www.pcf.org/philadelphia/donate. ing a unique research effort. “Even if you give a small amount, here’s By Ayana Jones Special to the NNPA from The Philadelphia Tribune
