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.

 

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/.