MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON HUMANKIND
Many issues in life are overwhelming; getting diagnosed with cancer is one of those. I've been very fortunate. Many of my friends and colleagues that are part of this “brotherhood” haven’t been as fortunate. Prostate cancer is terribly underfunded (and misunderstood) compared to other Cancers because men don't talk about it. They don't engage because of the personal nature of the problem.
The PSA blood test and early detection saved my life. I heard the 3 words you never want to hear from you doctor on my birthday in 2015, “you have cancer.” I was devastated, having just witnessed one of my best friends lose his battle to prostate cancer – it was gut-wrenching. His widow says that skipping one year in getting his PSA checked is what ultimately killed him. Besides being in shock, I was embarrassed and ashamed. I was also scared, very scared, having just witnessed my friend’s demise. Other than family and a few close friends, I did not tell anyone about my diagnosis.
It took me 13 months after my diagnosis to go public. It was at that time, with my wife’s encouragement, I published my first blog about my journey; it touched lives around the world!
After a very successful fund-raising campaign and completing my long-term, post-surgery goal of competing in the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii, my focus shifted to education and advocacy; pay it forward. I am Board Member at ZERO, Patient Advocate Board member at Cancer U, and Mentor & Peer Reviewer for the DoD’s (Department of Defense) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs http://cdmrp.army.mil/cwg/stories/2018/tom_hulsey_profile. I was a volunteer at the Baylor Scott & White Cancer Health & Wellness Center and recently published The Winning Mindset That Saved My Life. Net proceeds from the sales of this book will be donated to ZERO.
The Winning Mindset That Saved My Life has a second purpose; a tool for visibility to create awareness for men's health and postively impact lives. That said, I would be most grateful if you helped me "make a positive impact on Humankind" and end this horrible disease by making a donation to ZERO (501c3).
CHARITY NAVIGATOR ranks ZERO a four out of four-star organization. Out of the 18,000-plus disease-based organizations in the U.S, ZERO is one of only 48 nonprofits with an operating budget of over $3.5M while garnering a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. A key financial performance metric is the percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs and services it delivers – 85%.
It is widely reported that cancer mortality rates have dropped; down nearly two percent since 2015. On the surface, it’s a good step toward minimizing the pain and suffering endured by many families, but one important detail that the media and medical advisors have glossed over is that prostate cancer deaths jumped 10 percent last year. It’s the largest jump in prostate cancer deaths in a decade, according to the American Cancer Society. A man dies every 18 minutes from prostate cancer.
I’ve grown to appreciate the value of serving a greater cause than my own self-interest; making a positive impact on Humankind! Your donation will help fund research, patient programs that go directly to helping men and their families, free testing, educational programs, and more.
Life is Not a Spectator Sport,
Tom
My Journey to ZERO
Topics
Achievements
Rockstar
Raised $2,500
Personal Progress:
of Goal
$3,190
Raised
$0.00
Fundraising Honor Roll
Tom Hulsey
$1,262
Wayne McLarren
$500
john Trowbridge
$262
Jun Luo
$262
Umesh Raman Kalidas
$104
Anthony Bellissimo
$104
Keith Reid
$104
Carolyn Ohara
$100
Belindy Sarembock
$100
Rick Federico
$100
Tom Hulsey
$78
Cynthia R. Blair
$50
Peg Albert
$50
Bill Sabino
$36
Jose Rojas
$26
Mary Eberhardt
$25
Anonymous
$20