It is a near fact that Atlanta is an American city with the highest population of Black people and the its basketball team, the Atlanta Hawks, want to celebrate Black History Month in a special way by giving back to the Black community.
2021 marks the third annual Black History Month Assist Challenge that pledges to donate $250 per assist to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. It should be noted that Black men stand 76% certainty of developing prostate cancer in comparison to white men. It is a staggering statistics that needs significant resources to study, to cure, and to make people more aware.
“We are thrilled and honored that the Hawks have joined our efforts in reaching out to save men’s lives,” said Christine Jones, COO, PCF. “This past year has put a spotlight on the need for more health equity programs to solve the cancer rate disparity issue in Black men. During Black History Month, the NBA will help us bring awareness about the facts regarding prostate cancer, and what men need to do to know their risks and numbers.”
This collaborative campaign is executed in partnership with Emory Healthcare’s Winship Cancer Institute which provides life-saving comprehensive care to thousands across Metro Atlanta via medical, oncology, and radiation oncology.
Since 1993, when Mike Milken founded the PCF, the organization has raised over $850 million toward researching this potentially fatal disease. Their efforts have led to a decreased death rate of 52%, which should let you know how bad things were previously. That said, 52% is still very high and more work needs to be done.
