A Shared Vision to Fight Prostate Cancer

Dr. Jeffrey Nix remembers his first meeting with Mike Slive. It came under trying circumstances but evolved into a friendship and a shared vision.

“I was Mike’s physician when he was in the advanced stages of prostate cancer,” Nix remembered. “The first time I met him was one weekend, when he came into the ER, and I was on call. A few weeks later, we were drinking bourbon on his back porch.”

The impromptu reunion wasn’t a mere thank you.

No, Slive wanted more. And he wanted Nix to be a part of something he was putting together: The Mike Slive Foundation.

“At that point, it didn’t even have a name, but a short time later, he and Ed Meyerson had it up and running. And all the while, he was still the commissioner (of the Southeastern Conference). I can’t imagine how difficult that job was, yet it didn’t impede his vision for something lasting.”

The Mike Slive Foundation and other similar nonprofits are so important because they are out in the community, teaching people about prostate cancer.Dr. Jeffrey Nix

Since its inception seven years ago this fall, the Mike Slive Foundation has become a national leader in the quest to educate men of the dangers in prostate cancer while building on research to fight the disease.

And Nix, the Joe Chamblis endowed professor for prostate cancer research and innovation and Director of Robotic Surgery at UAB, continues to play an integral role.

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men over 40 in the U.S., but it remains one of the most treatable cancers if detected early.

“As a physician, we want you to come see us,” Nix said. “The Mike Slive Foundation and other similar nonprofits are so important because they are out in the community, teaching people about prostate cancer.”

A big part of the Mike Slive Foundations’ mission goes beyond education. By teaming with Regions Bank and medical personnel from UAB, the foundation offers free PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening at numerous sporting events, including the annual Regions Tradition golf tournament and, most recently, a Father’s Day Birmingham Barons minor-league baseball game.

One thing I liked about Mike was that his vision was far reaching. He would be proud of how far we’ve come, yet he’d want more.Dr. Jeffrey Nix

Slive passed away in May 2018, but Nix is determined to keep his dream alive.

“One thing I liked about Mike was that his vision was far reaching. He would be proud of how far we’ve come, yet he’d want more.”

Thus, the work of the Mike Slive Foundation continues, one screening, one research grant at a time.

“The easiest thing to tell men: we know you’re scared of an exam in a vulnerable state,” Nix said. “But all you really need is a blood test to determine if you are at risk.”