On September 30, Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) partnered with Fans for the Cure and the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island to hold a prostate cancer awareness event. The event featured former Major League Baseball pitcher and Staten Island native Jason Marquis, who received a complimentary prostate cancer exam.
The event was part of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place every September. Attendees were able to learn about early detection, available screenings, and speak directly with RUMC urologists and medical professionals about symptoms, risk factors, and treatments for prostate cancer. Free prostate cancer screenings were also offered.
“Prostate cancer is silent,” said Richard Maggio, MD, FACS, board certified urologist at RUMC. “Screening gives it a voice before it’s too late.”
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United States after skin cancer. This year alone, approximately 314,000 new cases are expected to be diagnosed and nearly 36,000 deaths are projected from the disease. PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) testing remains the primary method for annual screening. Samples collected during the event were analyzed by RUMC at no cost to participants.
Jason Marquis is known locally for pitching a no-hitter in the Little League World Series at age 12 and later playing in both the Little League World Series and MLB World Series. His professional career began with the Atlanta Braves in 2000 before he moved on to play for teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies. Marquis was named to the National League All-Star Team in 2009.
“Fans for the Cure is so grateful to have the support of Richmond University Medical Center,” said Ed Randall, Founder and Chief Advocacy Officer of Fans for the Cure. “Early detection is the heartbeat of our mission. RUMC’s belief in it — both through its generosity and its encouragement — helps make screening events like these possible.”
Fans for the Cure has organized medical, educational, and awareness programs focused on prostate cancer since its founding in 2003.
Richmond University Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving Staten Island and surrounding communities through a range of health services.
