WHAT: Tri-State Radiation Oncology Centers (Evansville Cancer Center and the Deaconess Chancellor Center for Oncology, Vantage Oncology facilities) is teaming up with Tri-State area urologists and the American Cancer Society to host its ninth annual prostate cancer awareness program, “A Knock Out Night for Men with Sugar Ray Leonard,”on Saturday, September 11th at the Evansville Coliseum in downtown Evansville. The special event features Sugar Ray Leonard providing attendees his motivational speech “POWER to Win” followed by a Q&A session.
While Sugar Ray Leonard is not a prostate cancer survivor, the event holds special meaning to him as an African-American. According to the American Cancer Society, African-American men are at greater risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than any other race or ethnic group. As a result, he wants to emphasize to all men the importance of annual prostate cancer screenings.
“Prostate cancer does not discriminate and it continues to be one of our deadliest opponents,” said Leonard. “It is our responsibility to our families, friends and loved ones to receive an annual prostate cancer screenings because it may very well save our lives.”
Open to the public, the event will provide the community important education about early detection and why annual screenings are crucial in the fight against prostate cancer. The evening’s festivities will begin with a very special tribute and moment of prayer for our nation’s heroes and the families affected by 9/11. Next, local hero and recently retired as Evansville’s first African American Fire Chief George Flowers will present Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel’s proclamation to Dr. Jon D. Frazier, radiation oncologist and medical director of Evansville Cancer Center and Deaconess Chancellor Center for Oncology.
The event also includes a silent auction featuring various Sugar Ray Leonard memorabilia. The first 500 people will receive an authentic red Everlast® boxing glove key chain. In addition, there will be three bouts of Guns N’ Hoses boxing, a charity that pits police officers against firefighters in a series of three one-minute rounds. Following the last fight, Sugar Ray Leonard will announce the winner of one pair of personally autographed red leather Everlast® boxing gloves.
“The 911 Gives Hope Foundation is a group of emergency services personnel who have joined together to help children and adults with special needs in our community. With prostate cancer affecting so many in our community it is an honor for us to help raise awareness about this disease,” said Billy Bolin, police officer at Evansville Police Department and Vice President of 911 Gives Hope Foundation. “Guns & Hoses is our main fundraiser so it is a natural fit for us to have the opportunity to work with Sugar Ray Leonard to help protect the men in our community.”
Those in attendance and at home will also have the opportunity to bid on autographed memorabilia in a silent auction. All proceeds will go to Cancer Care Options, Inc., a not for profit organization founded by Al Korba, M.D., former medical director of Evansville Cancer Center, which aids cancer patients in the Tri-State area who cannot afford cancer medications.
WHO: Sugar Ray Leonard, Gold Medalist, Former World Welterweight, Junior Middleweight, Middleweight, Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Fame Inductee
Dr. Jon D. Frazier, radiation oncologist and medical director of Evansville Cancer Center and Deaconess Chancellor Center for Oncology
Dr. Andrew Reed, psychologist at Evansville Cancer Center and facilitator of Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group
George Flowers, retired first African-American fire chief, prostate cancer survivor and 1954 Golden Glove Boxing Champ of Evansville
Billy Bolin, police officer at Evansville Police Department and Vice President of 911 Gives Hope Foundation
WHEN: Saturday, September 11, 2010
Press Conference with Sugar Ray Leonard: Time TBD
Public Program: 5 p.m.
- Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel’s Proclamation presented by George Flowers, retired first African-American fire chief and prostate cancer survivor to Dr. Jon D. Frazier
- “POWER to Win” Public Presentation and Q& A with Sugar Ray Leonard
Silent auction to Benefit Cancer Care Options, Inc.: 4 p.m. - 7:20 p.m.
Tickets for Public Program are on sale for $15 per adult and $10 per child (12 years old and younger)
VIP/Sponsors Meet & Greet: 7:30 p.m.
Autographing & Hors D'ouvres, limit one autograph per person ($125.00 per ticket) which includes tickets to the performance and a free 8” x 10” photograph of Sugar Ray Leonard. Only 100 of these tickets will be sold.
Autographing & Hors D'ouvres, a pair of Everlast® red leather boxing gloves signed by Sugar Ray Leonard ($25O.00 per ticket). Only 40 of these tickets will be sold.
For more information, please contact Robin Lawrence at (812) 474-6000 or rlawrence@vantageoncology.com.
WHERE: Public Program VIP Autographing Reception
Evansville Coliseum Old Courthouse – Ballroom, 2nd Fl.
300 Court St 201 N.W. Fourth Street
Evansville, IN 47708 Evansville, IN 47708
WHY: The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2010, 217,730 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 32,050 will lose their lives to it. While the numbers are alarming, Dr. Frazier reminds patients that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes for those diagnosed. Dr. Frazier adds, “We continue to make tremendous strides in the detection and treatment of prostate cancer. However, these advancements are for not if we can’t convince men to visit their doctor to receive an annual screening.”
CONTACTS:
Trace Longo
Longo Communications
Office: (949) 364-2821
Cell: (714) 600-9811
Robin Lawrence, Director of Marketing
Evansville Cancer Center/Vantage Oncology
812-474-6000
e-mail: rlawrence@vantageoncology.com
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