You Can Be One Against Prostate Cancer on October 2nd

The first annual 5K Great Prostate Cancer Challenge will take place on Sunday, October 2nd.  The race is in support of prostate cancer research, services to support prostate cancer patients and the efforts to promote early detection.

Northeast Indiana Urology has teamed with Project Zero to bring the challenge to Fort Wayne.

All funds raised through the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge will go to Project Zero to be used for research, free prostate cancer screenings and advocacy. Half of the proceeds from the Fort Wayne run/walk will remain in the community.

The 2011 Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K run/walk will begin at 8:30 a.m.just east of Portage Middle School at the Lindley Elementary parking lot entrance on Taylor. The entry fee is $20 through September 20 and $23 after September 20 and through race day October 2. The entry fee includes a timing chip, long-sleeve t-shirt and pancake breakfast following the race. Visit www.VeepRaces.com to learn more and to register as an individual or as a team.

Day of registration and the pancake breakfast will take place at Portage Middle School on Taylor Street just west of Ardmore.

Awards will be given to the top three prostate cancer survivors and to the top male and female finishers
in the following age groups: 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 & over.

“Many of the cities taking part this year are much larger than Fort Wayne, so this is another feather
in our cap and a plus for area patients who are impacted by prostate cancer,” said Ted Wagner, MD,
Northeast Indiana Urology. “My practice deals largely with diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.
Although NEIU is very skilled in this area, we share the mission of Project Zero to reduce deaths from
prostate cancer to zero and this event helps us continue moving in that direction.”

NEIU sees this as a tremendous opportunity to build awareness regarding early screening and detection,
to provide support for those individuals who have been affected by this disease and to celebrate those
who have been successfully treated.

At the age of 48, Jon Colbert was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer which had metastasized to
the bones. He hopes his decision to serve as a spokesperson and participate in this year’s challenge will
serve as a wakeup call for others who may be able to avoid what he’s gone through battling this disease.

“Fort Wayne’s inclusion in this effort is significant because it shows how important we think it is to
educate people about this type of cancer,” said Colbert. “All it takes is a simple blood test and a quick
physical exam.”

One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Nationally, a man dies from
prostate cancer every 18 minutes. But there is hope; education about prostate cancer risk and access
to screenings can save countless lives. Supporters are being invited to join hundreds of others from the
area who have been impacted in one way or another by prostate cancer.

NEIU is an 11 physician urology group with 12 locations throughout northeastern Indiana and
northwestern Ohio. It excels in the area of prostate cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. NEIU
has the largest urology research program in the area and many of its clinical trials have focused on
medications and devices associated with prostate cancer. NEIU also holds quarterly free prostate cancer
screenings and supports the annual Blue Ball Open golf outing to raise money for prostate cancer.