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| Mellve Shahid Sr., founder of The Empowerment Network |
Mellve Shahid Sr., 58, is a prostate cancer survivor. Five years ago he was diagnosed with the disease that impacts African-American men at a much higher rate than white or Hispanic males. It is the second cause of cancer deaths in black men.
On the day of his surgery in March 2007, he asked God to heal his body, restore his health and give him a second chance. If God would do that for him, he said, he would spend the rest of his life in service to cancer victims.
“On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, I celebrated five years of being cancer free,” Mellve said. “So God has kept his promise, now it is time for me to keep mine.”
God healed him. Mellve is keeping his promise.
Four short years ago, Mellve launched The Empowerment Network, or TEN, a non-profit prostate cancer advocacy organization that works to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable African-American men, age 35+.
Black males are 60% more likely than other ethnic groups in the U.S to be diagnosed with prostate cancer - and are 2 1/2 times more likely to die from the disease. TEN provides support, awareness, education and health resources to these men and their families. TEN enriches lives by using the power of the private and public sector to provide services to these neediest of men.
During a recent prostate cancer support group meeting that is part of The Empowerment Network, a prostate cancer victim stood up and openly talked about the impact of the disease in his life. The pain in the man’s voice echoed the hurt in his body from dealing with the disheartening side effects of post radiation treatment. The man boldly shared the personal details about his male bodily functions to about 50 meeting at the meeting.
“The men that you saw in the room today are just some of the many men in the St. Louis area that have battled this disease called prostate cancer,” Mellve said. “I have over 200 cancer survivors who need my help and they come from all walks of life.”
Along with a team of prostate cancer survivors, Mellve makes it a point to visit men in hospitals who are suffering from the disease. Unfortunately, he has seen death. He recalled how one patient he visited shared with him how Mellve’s support gave him strength to make it as far as he has. The man died the next morning.
Mellve is always calling men up to see how they are doing, and if he can do anything for them. He reaches out to family members, too.
“I just a brother who was diagnosed with the disease and given two years to live and decided to make a deal with God. The deal that I made is called a covenant, a pledge, or a divine oath. I begged for my life on the operating table and made a deal with the Creator.
“All I want to do is to keep my promise to God. I’m not looking for praise or awards. I just want to be a helper and a humble servant to those who need my help.”
The Empowerment Network along with BJK People’s Health Center’s is presenting a Prostate Testing Day, Sunday, April 29 at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church, 5515 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., St. Louis, MO 63112. The screen is free and open to all men. The PSA screening takes less than 10 minutes.
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