Fans attending the third round of the Regions Tradition are in for an extra treat.
In addition to world-class golf, good exercise and the chance to see friends in a scenic setting, male attendees can do something extra Saturday afternoon: take a few minutes to save a life.
Specifically, their own.
For the third straight year, the Mike Slive Foundation, UAB and the Regions Tradition are conducting free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for men over 40 to screen for prostate cancer.
By simply drawing blood, those who undergo the screening can get peace of mind.
The annual screening is part of the Mike Slive Foundation’s mission to educate the public and end prostate cancer. Founded by the late Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive, his namesake organization funds research and clinical trials on a national scale.
To date, the Mike Slive Foundation has raised more than $4 million and funded 33 cutting-edge research grants.
“Regions commitment to the Foundation has continued to expand,” said Mark Senter, Regions Corporate Marketing experiential and sponsorship marketing specialist. “Along with the yearly charitable giving campaign, the live PSA testing taking place at the Tradition has continued to grow in participation. Plans to weave the testing process into other Regions’ partnerships is under development, as well.”
Birmingham’s Rusty and Ann Sears came across the testing site last year and Rusty wasted no time rolling his sleeve up. He has relatives who’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, so the free screening was a blessing.
“It is such a convenient, quick and easy way to get screened for prostate cancer indicators,” Rusty said. “Negative results provide peace-of-mind and positive results can lead to earlier treatment. It’s a no-brainer for all men to get tested.”
Early screening is indeed the key. In fact, if caught early, prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent treatable.
Yet more and more men are susceptible.
According to the Mike Slive Foundation, one in eight American men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis. Those odds can increase based on other factors, including race – African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer – and family history.
