Pints for Prostates Founder Invited to Serve on Panel at Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin

July 10, 2009 - PRLog -- Charlotte, N.C. – Pints for Prostates founder Rick Lyke has been invited to serve on a panel at the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 26th addressing the stigma that cancer survivors face while battling the disease.

The Livestrong Global Cancer Summit is being organized by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to start a global movement among world leaders, cancer organizations and cancer survivors. The Summit will make the case for urgent action to address the global cancer burden and introduce new commitments for cancer control by bringing together key stakeholders from all parts of the world. Lyke will serve on a panel with fellow cancer survivors from South Africa and China that will be moderated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent for CNN and a practicing neurosurgeon.

Pints for Prostates, a campaign that uses the universal language of beer to encourage men to take charge of their health, was founded by Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising.

“We’re honored that Pints for Prostates has been invited to the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit. We are looking forward to sharing details of our program and learning what others are doing around the world to fight cancer,” said Rick Lyke, a 48-year-old Charlotte, N.C., marketing executive and drinks journalist who had successful prostate cancer surgery in April 2008. “The fact is that 4,000 men a week in the U.S. hear the words ‘you have prostate cancer.’ The key for these men is detecting the disease in its early stages when treatment is nearly 100 percent successful. The mission of Pints for Prostates is to reach men in a friendly and non-threatening manner when they are willing to hear a message about prostate health screening and PSA testing.”

In its first year Pints for Prostates reached approximately 25 million people through a combination of donated advertising, news articles, appearances at beer festivals, and coverage on websites and blogs. The campaign’s goal is generating awareness for PSA testing and regular checkups so that men can detect the illness before it has progressed. So far in 2009, Pints for Prostates has held events in California, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina and Washington, with additional events planned.

“Cancer is a major public health problem that affects every country in every region of the world regardless of economic and social situation,” said Lance Armstrong, LAF founder and chairman, cancer survivor and champion cyclist. “Through collective action, we will make a renewed commitment to reducing the burden of cancer around the world and break down the stigma and silence too often associated with the disease.”

The Livestrong Global Cancer Summit is taking place from Aug. 24-26 in Dublin, Ireland. The Livestrong Global Summit serves as a forum to build a global grassroots advocacy movement to spur global action in the fight against cancer.

In September 2008, Armstrong announced the Foundation’s commitment to making cancer a global priority at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York.  The LAF made this commitment after its worldwide research, conducted over 18 months, revealed widespread misconceptions, stigma and lack of awareness associated with cancer.  Cancer kills more people every year than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined.  With such staggering statistics, the LAF recognized that a global challenge like cancer required a global movement.  

In preparing for the event, the Lance Armstrong Foundation received cancer fighting commitments from hundreds of governments, health organizations and individuals in more than 60 countries worldwide. Speakers include honorary Summit chair and former Irish President Mary Robinson, Irish Cancer Chief Professor Tom Keane, as well as representatives from the World Health Organization and other global bodies.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates, a campaign that uses the universal language of beer to encourage men to take charge of their health, was founded by prostate cancer survivor Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. All funds generated by Pints for Prostates benefit the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a 501(c)3 charity that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families. More information is available at www.ustoo.org/pints. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
At the Lance Armstrong Foundation, we fight for the 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. There can be – and should be – life after cancer for more people. That's why we kick in at the moment of diagnosis, giving people the resources and support they need to fight cancer head-on. We find innovative ways to raise awareness, fund research and end the stigma about cancer that many survivors face. We connect people and communities to drive social change, and we call for state, national and world leaders to help fight this disease. Anyone anywhere can join our fight against cancer. Join us at www.LIVESTRONG.org.

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Pints for Prostates, a campaign that uses the universal language of beer to encourage men to take charge of their health, was founded by prostate cancer survivor Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising.