The Empowerment Network honored for health care advocacy

The Empowerment Network received the Health Care Advocacy Organization of the Year award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s 15th Annual Salute to Excellence in Health Care Awards Luncheon April 30, 2015 at the Hilton St.

Louis Frontenac.

The Empowerment Network Inc. is a Prostate Cancer Advocacy, Education and Awareness Organization, 501 (C) (3) Nonprofit, 6000 West Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63136

The St. Louis American created this video to help tell the story of an awesome organization.

For more information about The Empowerment Network, call 314.385.0998 or visit www.TheEmpowermentNetwork.net.

 

A new direction: prostate cancer pushes survivor to share his story

Retired corporate executive and Vietnam veteran R. Woody Woodcox has embarked on a new direction in his life following the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Married to his wife, Ethel, for 43 years, the Washington University graduate worked for two of the largest corporates in St. Louis—Monsanto and Ralston Purina; he retired after 33 years with as a sales and marketing manager with Kimberly Clark paper company.

Prostate Cancer Survivor,

R. Woody Woodcox with his 

wife and loving caregiver,

Ethel

 

However, it was his tour of duty in the U.S. Army that took him down an unwanted path. As a customs agent in Vietnam, he was exposed to Agent Orange— one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program during the Vietnam War—that lead to his prostate cancer problems.

“Having prostate cancer gave me a new direction which I had no idea was in me, “ Woodcox says, a proud member of The Empowerment Network, a St. Louis based prostate cancer advocacy organization.

 

 “I started a one man campaign asking every man I came in contact with ‘have you had your prostate checked lately?’ ” 

A love story that is second to none, his wife, Ethel, has been with him every step of the way as they navigate the new direction in their lives together because of prostate cancer.

 

Woodcox will be a guest on The Empowerment Network's Health Radio Show, today, Sunday, March 16, 5 p.m. (CST) on radio station WGNU 920 AM and live online at www.wgnu920am.com.

 

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/.