This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s (PCF) efforts of advancing prostate cancer research. In honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September, the PCF is making it the Prostate Cancer ACTION month to create awareness, spark conversations and raise funds to help accelerate much needed research. For the first time in American history, a record number of landmarks across the U.S. will light up blue in support of men battling the disease, and the PCF will be premiering a new public service announcement (PSA) starring actor Dax Shepard, plus, launching the PCF Pushup Challenge.
“For 25 years, the Prostate Cancer Foundation has led the world in accelerating the development of new breakthroughs and treatments for prostate cancer,” said Jonathan W. Simons, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With the help of our friend Dax Shepard, we are now leading the charge to create more awareness about this disease and its risks by confronting the sensitive subject of screening head on by encouraging men to understand the facts and be more proactive about their own health. With humor and grace, Dax takes a taboo subject that most men never want to think about and drives home the importance of understanding the risks and the tests available today and therefore creating a dialog where none previously existed.”
I’d Rather PSA
From drama to comedy, actor and director Dax Shepard (Parenthood and Hit & Run) uses his talents to star in the comical, yet informative PSA I’d Rather, also featuring Dawan Owens (Netflix’s The Ranch and 6 Balloons), the PSA takes a comedic look about men’s perspectives surrounding prostate cancer and misperceptions about screening, concluding with a simple resolution – getting a blood test.
“Prostate cancer has tragically affected my life. My stepfather recently passed away from late-stage disease and since we became aware of his diagnosis, my wife [Kristen Bell] and I have been doing whatever we can to support the great work the PCF is doing, and bringing awareness is the first step,” said Shepard. The PSA will debut on September 4th.
The PCF DO BLUE Campaign
The color blue is recognized as the official color to bring awareness about prostate cancer. On September 4th, cities and communities across the U.S. will light more than 40 famous landmarks and buildings blue to join the PCF in kicking-off Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Communities will be standing in solidarity with the PCF and its efforts to bring awareness to finding a cure for prostate cancer.
Participating landmarks turning blue are: Miami Tower (Miami, FL); Bank of America (Dallas, TX); One Oxford Center (Pittsburg, PA); Las Vegas City Hall, Downtown Summerlin and Planet Hollywood Fountain (Las Vegas, NV); Mercedes Superdome (New Orleans, LA); Union Plaza (Little Rock, AR); Wrigley Building and Prudential Plaza (Chicago, IL); 1625 Eye Street (Washington, DC); Helmsley Building and Weylin (New York, NY); SUNY Plaza (Albany, NY); Union St. Railroad Pedestrian Bridge (Salem, MA); Crystal Bridge and Skydance Bridge (Oklahoma City, OK); I-35 W. Bridge and Lowry Avenue Bridge (Minneapolis, MN); Delaware State Capitol Building (Dover, DE); Peace Bridge (Buffalo, NY); City of Pawtucket, (Pawtucket, RI); Science Museum of Virginia (Richmond, VA); Washington State Convention Center and SR 520 Bridge (Seattle, WA); Hoboken City Hall (Hoboken, NJ); Ben Franklin Bridge (Camden, NJ); ONE Liberty Place (Philadelphia, PA); Dunkin’ Donuts Center (Providence, RI); Baltimore City Hall Dome (Baltimore, MD); Talking Stick Resort (Scottsdale, AZ); Retirement Systems of Alabama (Montgomery, AL); Electric Tower (Williamsville, NY); LAX Pylons (Los Angeles, CA); Houston City Hall (Houston, TX); Wells Fargo’s Duke Energy Center (Charlotte, NC); Sakonnet River Bridge (Jamestown, RI); Boston City Hall, Kenneth F. Burns Memorial Bridge and Zakim Bunker Memorial Bridge (Boston, MA); James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the Saint Louis Science Center (St. Louis, MO); PECOs Building Crown Lights (Philadelphia, PA); Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (Nashville, TN) and Flint Hills Discovery Center (Manhattan, Kansas).
The PCF Pushup Challenge
Nearly 165,000 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and the PCF will be flexing its muscles by introducing the PCF Pushup Challenge to push back against prostate cancer and to spark conversation. To participate, sign-up at www.PCF.org/pushup, launch a Pushup Challenge page using easy built-in tools, and commit to doing 10 push-ups for every $20 donation received. All challengers are encouraged to capture the fun with photos and/or videos and post it to their social media platforms using #PCFPushUp to help share a message of hope and solidarity for anyone affected by this disease.
For more information on the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the DO BLUE campaign, visit www.PCF.org.
