My name is Mellve Shahid: I am a SIX year prostate cancer survivor

"This month gives prostate cancer survivors a reason to reflect on the many 

blessings bestowed on us from the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth." 

---Mellve Shahid Sr., prostate cancer survivor and advocate

Mellve Shahid Sr., left, with daughter, Nafeesa McDonald Shahid

September Is National Prostate Awareness Month. Currently in the U.S. there are over two million men that are surviving prostate cancer. 

I am one of those two million men surviving this disease. 

My name is Mellve Shahid and I am a (6) year prostate cancer survivor.

I would like to thank President Barack Obama for honoring prostate cancer survivors all over America with the 2013 Presidential Proclamation designating September as National Prostate Awareness Month. 

With his busy schedule and all that is going on over in Syria, and with the G-20 Summit, he still didn't forget about prostate cancer survivors in America. Thank you Mr. President!

This month gives prostate cancer survivors a reason to smile, to celebrate survivorship, and to celebrate life. 

This month gives prostate cancer survivors a reason to reflect on the many blessings bestowed on us from the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. This month give us a reason to remember those who lost their lives to this insidious disease. 

Although men are living a lot longer due to modern medicine with this disease, we are still struggling psychologically and emotionally with the side effects of this disease when diagnosed. 

This is the reason why we need support, love and encouragement to help "Feed the Health of the Human Spirit" of prostate cancer survivors who are being diagnosed in the urban communities throughout America. 

Yes, prostate cancer survivors need the support of great organizations like the The Empowerment Network, to help us to understand that our survivorship does not bring us shame, embarrassment or disgrace; our survivorship brings us a great testimony and a reason to celebrate the new life that God has blessed us with. 

The "2013 Blue Tie Gala", Saturday, September 21,  2013 will help us to do do just that: Celebrate, Reflect and Remember.

---Mellve Shahid Sr., prostate cancer survivor, advocate and servant

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NOTE: Mellve Shahid Sr. is founder/CEO of The Empowerment Network, a prostate cancer advocacy organization that works to improve the quality of life for prostate cancer survivors and their families.

The Blue Tie Gala is The Empowerment Network's major fundraiser of the year. Tickets are available for the 2013 Blue Tie Gala “Tribute To Prostate Cancer Survivorship Dinner” Saturday, September 21 at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown St. Louis Union Station. The evening begins at 7 p.m. and will feature line dancing, cocktails and cash bar. Tickets are $50. For ticket information, call 314.385.0998.

The website: www.TheEmpowermentNetwork.net

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Nearly 300 men get prostate tested at Friendly Temple Church

Black men are urged to get their prostate tested
for the sake of their families and communities.

It was a sight to behold at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church - men leading and encouraging men to get their prostate tested.


Senior Pastor Michael Jones lead the charge from the pulpit to the church's gym where a host of technicians from Quests Labs and BJK People's Health Centers administered PSA blood tests to a group of African-American men patiently waiting in line to be next.

“We’re stepping forward boldly and telling our sisters that we know how to take a stand,” Jones said. “We want to save brothers’ lives.”

Cynthia Rochester, a "prostate cancer survivor" was one of the organizers of the event through her Save Our Men Foundation. Her husband died from the disease 17 months ago at age 50. He never got tested. She urged men to get tested for the sake of their families and the communities they live in.

"There is no reason for use to be going through this like we are," she said. "We need to 'save our men.' "

When it was all said and done, 297 men received blood test during Prostate Testing Day Sunday April 29 at Friendly Temple.

"I've never had it done," said Parnell Gomire, 45, who was rolling his sleeve down following the procedure which told less than 5 minutes. "I've been meaning to do it, so I just decided today to get it out of the way."

Added John Taylor, 58: "My dad passed from prostate cancer in 2004; I thought it was a good idea for me to get tested."

Prostate testing day was part of the “2012 Save & Empower Our Men Church Tour” was sponsored by BJK People's Health Centers and Quest Labs and sponsored by The Empowerment Network, Save Our Men Foundation, 100 Black Men, Brain Storm Media Group and Friendly Temple. All testing was provided by the People's Health Center and Quest Diagnostic.

Black men, age 35+ were targeted for the blood test. Prostate Cancer rates among African American men are 60% higher than that of white men and Hispanic men. Black men are 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease. Prostate Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in African American men.

According to The Empowerment Network website, the prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. This gland makes and stores a component of semen and is located in the pelvis under the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate cancer forms in the tissues of the prostate. With the exception of skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men.

The test measures the levels of Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. The higher a man’s PSA level, the more likely it is that cancer is present.

Early detection is the key slowing the incidents of prostate cancer. Research shows that if treated early, the survival rate is nearly 100%.

For more information about prostate cancer, call The Empowerment Network at 314.385.0998 or visit http://www.theempowermentnetwork.net/.

A journey of hope to help prostate cancer victims began with a promise to God

Mellve Shahid Sr., founder of
The Empowerment Network

A remarkable man on an incredible journey is delivering hope to men battling prostate cancer.

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.

For more information about the Prostate Testing Day, see press release, or call 314. 385.0998. For additional information about prostate cancer, visit http://www.theempowermentnetwork.net/.