PHEN Walk 2015 Raises Prostate Cancer Awareness: “African American Survivors Leading the Way”

QUINCY, Mass. - April 6, 2015 - PRLog -- The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) launches its virtual walk, PHEN Walk 2015, to raise prostate cancer awareness. This unique walk, carried out completely online, has enrolled 250 walkers from 17 states during its one month introductory phase. 40% of these participants are prostate cancer survivors and 50% are friends and relatives, demonstrating a broad appeal for this initiative, which continues through September 18^th, 2015.

PHEN is using PHEN Walk 2015 to educate and mobilize the public about key prostate cancer public policy issues which include the following “call-to-action” objectives:

•  To raise the national level of prostate cancer awareness,
•  To increase federal government funding for prostate cancer research, education and awareness,
•  To initiate a public review of the scientific evidence and process used by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force for its Grade D recommendation for prostate cancer screening.

PHEN Walk 2015 is a competition like most other walks. Participants earn miles when they join, recruit other walkers and make financial contributions; and there is no entry fee to join. Walkers can walk in honor and memory of loved ones and friends who have faced prostate cancer. They will be listed on the PHEN Walk website (http://prostatehealthed.org/page.php?id=216) along with all walkers.  There will be recognition and prizes throughout the seven month long walk. A PHEN Walk leaderboard (http://prostatehealthed.org/page.php?id=217) is posted online and highlights the national competition leaders.

"Calling all prostate cancer survivors, family members, friends and advocates to register and join us for PHEN Walk 2015," voices PHEN Founder and President Thomas Farrington. "This will be a truly unique experience to increase prostate cancer awareness, educate about key policy issues with lively and fun competition."

"The Virtual Walk brings our voices together nationally in the fight against prostate cancer. Our cause is very important, also the competition is exciting. I challenge others to join the walk and beat me to the finish line," says Robbie Robinson, a prostate cancer survivor in Massachusetts and the current competition leader with nearly 2,000 miles earned.

You can join PHEN Walk 2015 here (http://prostatehealthed.org/virtual_walk_2015.php).

About PHEN

The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) is the leading patient education and advocacy organization addressing the needs of African American prostate cancer patients and survivors. About 1 in 5 African American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime; with the highest prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates in the United States. Based in Quincy, Mass., PHEN, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 2003 by Thomas A. Farrington, a prostate cancer survivor. PHEN Initiatives include monthly live educational webcasts, the Annual Father's Day Rally, educational symposiums with church partners, and the Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit in Washington, DC. For more information, visit: www.PHENWalk.org.