Roy S. Johnson’s diagnosis did not come as a complete surprise. In many ways, he had spent much of his life preparing for the possibility.
A Tulsa, Oklahoma, native, Johnson was just 11 years old when his father died. Decades later, he learned the cause was prostate cancer. From that point forward, annual prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, tests became routine.
I didn’t even know it at the time, but one in six African American men were going to get prostate cancer. Roy S. Johnson, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his work as a statewide columnist for AL.com
He had another reason to be vigilant about his health.
“I didn’t even know it at the time, but one in six African American men were going to get prostate cancer,” Johnson said. “And overall, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.”
A Pulitzer Prize finalist for his work as a statewide columnist for AL.com, Johnson approached the news the way he approaches most challenges: through research.
“At that point, I did what I’ve always done. I’m a journalist. I do research. I’m a nerd, so I dug into every bit of information I could find,” Johnson said.
“What I learned was that prostate cancer is typically a slow-moving cancer and not an immediate death sentence. It’s highly treatable. In fact, my doctor said I’m more likely to die with prostate cancer than from prostate cancer.”
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month, and the Mike Slive Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary with two special events.
$1 will be donated to the Mike Slive Foundation® for every new qualifying Regions Online or Mobile Banking® Bill Pay, Zelle® and External Transfer transaction between Aug. 1-Sept. 30, 2026 (up to $25,000).
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What I learned was that prostate cancer is typically a slow-moving cancer and not an immediate death sentence. It’s highly treatable.Roy S. Johnson
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, ESPN’s Jay Harris and Johnson will host “Conquering Prostate Cancer: A Conversation with Jay Harris and Roy S. Johnson.” This event is free to the public. The Mike Slive Foundation, in partnership with Grandview Health and Urology Centers of Alabama will offer free PSA blood test screening at the event.
The next night, Harris, along with Greg McElroy will be co-hosting the Mike Slive Foundation’s Blue Shoe Ball on Sept. 3, along with over 20 other sports legends, helping to celebrate the ten year anniversary of the Mike Slive Foundation.
Founded in 2016 by former Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive and Ed Meyerson, the Mike Slive Foundation funds prostate cancer research and education programs. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $5.1 million and funded 46 prostate cancer research grants, expanding well beyond its Alabama roots.
“My late father, Mike Slive, once told me that he couldn’t believe his legacy could be something beyond college athletics,” said Anna Slive Harwood, Executive Director. “As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Foundation that bears his name, I can only imagine how proud he would be of what we have accomplished. With board members like Roy on our team, willing to share their story so publicly, we will continue to help save lives, even if it is one man at a time.”
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Foundation that bears his name, I can only imagine how proud he would be of what we have accomplished. Anna Slive Harwood, Executive Director
Before arriving in Birmingham, Johnson built a nationally recognized journalism career with Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Fortune.
“I’m not trying to get religious, but was there something else working behind the scenes?” Johnson said. “It was no accident that this happened to me while I was in Birmingham.
“When I moved here from New York, I had no idea what would transpire over the next decade. I’m grateful my diagnosis happened here because of the outstanding medical care available through UAB, including the doctors, researchers and caregivers who call Birmingham home.”
On the advice of his physicians, Johnson is managing his diagnosis through active surveillance, a treatment approach that involves regular testing and monitoring rather than immediate surgery or radiation.
“We want to get that thing out. That’s the natural reaction,” Johnson said. “But the more I learned, the more I began to rely on my faith. You have to be patient and trust the process. The more I accepted that, the more comfortable I became.”
I had no hesitation about getting involved, joining the board and helping spread the message. Roy S. Johnson
As he monitors his own health, Johnson works with the Mike Slive Foundation to help others take proactive steps to protect theirs.
“I had no hesitation about getting involved, joining the board and helping spread the message,” he said. “Not only about the foundation’s research, but also about raising awareness among African American men.”
For Johnson, the key to survival is simple: early detection.
In addition to funding innovative research, the Mike Slive Foundation hosts free PSA screenings at sporting events across the region, including the Regions Tradition.
“Every person we can encourage to get tested early is potentially a life saved,” Johnson said.
Regions Bank also supports the Foundation’s mission through ongoing sponsorship and community engagement efforts.
“It’s vital that companies like Regions be good corporate citizens,” Johnson said. “They do that not only through business and customer service, but by supporting important causes, lifting communities and helping spread awareness.
“And there’s nothing more important than our health.”
Every person we can encourage to get tested early is potentially a life saved. Roy S. Johnson