Brown/Byrd Foundation Annual Reminder -- September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

New York, NY — When Kevin Byrd and Blossom Brown were asked about the ultimate goal for the BrownByrd Foundation, their immediate response was clear, crisp and to the point: “To raise awareness and funds to end prostate cancer.” Kevin and Blossom have been longtime advocates and an active voice for the millions of men affected by prostate cancer. In recognition of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, they encourage all men over 40 to examine their family medical history and get checked for prostate cancer.

The BrownByrd Foundation, established in 2008, is a Christian organization and is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit. It was founded by Kevin Byrd and Blossom Brown to increase awareness and prevention of prostate cancer through early detection and screening. Mr. Byrd and Mrs. Brown had a heightened awareness of prostate cancer at the age of 24 when both of their grandfathers lost their battle to prostate cancer. They were motivated by the desire to keep their grandfather’s legacy alive and at the same time save lives through advocacy by providing an even stronger voice for prostate cancer awareness. Kevin Byrd and Blossom Brown collectively produced and wrote a short film titled “The Last Dayz” which illustrates the life of a young man who is diagnosed with prostate cancer, and who learns how to cope with the realization of having this insidious disease. The film “The Last Dayz” is stilled being used as a tool to bring awareness to men about the importance of being tested for prostate cancer regularly, and even for women to urge the men that they love to be tested.

The BrownByrd Foundation has received many accolades for their fight against prostate cancer has led to the lighting of Niagara Falls and a featured segment on Fios1 Heroes on our Island. In 2013, they received the Long Island, Health Care Heroes Award. In February 2012, their work was honored and entered into the Congressional Record Library of Congress by House of Representative Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. The foundation has also received numerous proclamations from world leaders, U.S. Presidents and the Common Council of Utica, NY recognized their commitment to prostate cancer by honoring the foundation with a street named Brown Byrd Lane.

The founders of the BrownByrd Foundation are not content to rest on their laurels for they understands and know that much work needs to be done to find a cure and end prostate cancer. Early detection is key to receiving appropriate treatment, therefore, all men over the age of 40 are asked to take action by scheduling an appointment to get tested today! For free prostate cancer screening in your state, click on the following link: www.zerocancer.org/testing/testing-map

What You Should Know About Prostate Cancer:

* More than 220,000 men will be told they have prostate cancer this year. It is the second most common cancer in men in the United States.

* Aside from age, risk factors for prostate cancer include family history and race.

+ One in seven men will develop prostate cancer.
+ One in five African American men will develop prostate cancer.
+ One in three men with a family history will develop prostate cancer.

* Talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening if you are 40 to 54 years old and:

+ are African-American
+ have a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer
+ Prostate cancer, if caught early, has over a 90 percent survival rate.
+ Early detection can save your life!

To support and/or make a donation to the BrownByrd Foundation, please contact the following: Brown Byrd Foundation, 30 Wall Street 8th Floor, New York, New York 10005. Contact Number: (212) 709-8335. You can also check out the Brown/Byrd online store at www.cafepress.com/kevbyrd.