“1st Annual Minneapolis Urban League's Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Day”

June 10, 2008 - PRLog -- The Minneapolis Urban League, the MUL Social Wellness Cluster and MUL President Mr. Clarence Hightower welcome world renowned Prostate Cancer National Spokesperson Mr. Robert Samuels to the Minneapolis Urban League for the “1st Annual Minneapolis Urban League's Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Day.”  This event will take place on June 20, 2008 in the lower level of the Minneapolis Urban League from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.


This event is open to the public and all men and their families who want to know about Prostate Cancer Awareness, Prevention and information you need to know are invite to attend this exciting educational event.  

There will be food, beverages and informational hand-outs to help you be well informed of your risks as it pertains to Prostate Cancer.

Mr. Bob Samuels, a dedicated community activist, Mr. Samuels is listed in “Who’s Who in Black America”.  As one of the founders of the Harlem YMCA’s Black Achievers in Industry Program, he helped establish the United Negro College Fund’s Corporate Matching Gifts Program, and as a result of working with the United Negro College Fund, he was awarded the “UNCF’s Outstanding Citizen’s Award.” Mr. Samuels was the founding president of both the National Association of Urban Bankers and the New York City Urban Bankers Coalition. In 1984, the National Association of Urban Bankers honored him by renaming the “Outstanding Banker of the Year Award” to the “Robert J. Samuels Founder’s Award”. In 1998 the Urban Bankers further honored him by placing his likeness in the Baltimore Great Blacks in Wax Museum. In December of that year he was also inducted into the Black Hall of Fame in Philadelphia.

Samuels was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 56 — in the prime of life — the cancer had advanced dangerously far. Samuels was shocked to discover that as an African American, he was at high risk for the disease.  He was also surprised that since he had an annual physical examination every year his physician had never discussed his risk for prostate cancer. Samuels had been a banker for 31 years in New York and he became one of the first Black Vice President’s of a major bank in the nation.

Today, with his cancer in remission, this retired banking executive has channeled the energy that made him so successful in his career into a new role as one of prostate cancer’s most aggressive advocates. As Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, Samuels moved prostate cancer into the national spotlight.
Samuels went on to lead advocacy efforts in Florida, and is founder and chairman of the Florida Prostate Cancer Network (FPCN), one of the most active state coalitions in the nation.

Prostate cancer is the No. 1 diagnosed cancer (non-skin) and the No. 3 cause of cancer deaths in Florida. Samuels works relentlessly to educate Floridians about the disease.

As a men’s health activist and organizer, Samuels is involved in numerous activities including:

• Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition
• Founding Chairman of the Florida Prostate Cancer Network Inc.
• Former  member National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Prostate Cancer Progress Review Group
• Consultant, Food & Drug Administration’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC)
• Former member NCI Consumer Advocates in Research & Related Activities (CARRA)
• Former patient representative to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
• Former Co-Chairman of The Florida Prostate Cancer Task Force
• Former Board Member of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
• Former Member of the U.S. Army’s Prostate Cancer Research Panel

Samuels has led numerous battles in the fight against prostate cancer. As Founding Chairman of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition he lobbied Congress repeatedly for increases in prostate cancer research funding and was instrumental in getting the State of Florida to recognize, as a matter of public policy, prostate cancer as serious diseases needing to be addressed at the state level. During 2004, he was recognized by the Florida Department of Health with their UNSUNG HERO’S Award.  The State Department of Health honored his leadership and contributions toward getting stakeholders throughout the state involved in approving the Florida Prostate Cancer Education Act.

Samuels was instrumental in obtaining a $1million DOD grant to establish joint venture prostate cancer training and research Institute at FAMU with Moffitt Cancer Center.

Recent Awards and Recognition include:

• Tribute in 109th Congressional Record of the US House of Representatives
• US Department of Health and Human Services “Minority Health Community Leadership Award”
• Prostate Net’s Award for Lifetime Excellence in Advocacy to Eliminate Health Disparities
• Hillsborough County Commission – Humanitarian Award
• Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio’s – Outstanding Citizen’s Award
• The Florida Legislature – Citizen’s Recognition Award
• ONYX Magazine’s - Humanitarian Award

Mr. Samuels comes to Minneapolis courtesy of the Urban Financial Services Coalition that will hold their annual conference in downtown Minneapolis June 18-22 at the Hyatt for more information go to www.ufscnet.org

We ask that you join us on June 20, 2008 from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. for this once in a lifetime educational, information session and community health disparity awareness cause at the Minneapolis Urban League, located at 2100 Plymouth Avenue North.  For more information call (612) 302-3100.

This message has been brought to you by the Minneapolis Urban League, Clarence Hightower, President and Twin City Business – www.tcbusiness.org/blog