September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

By From the Heart | Health & Wellness with Faith Community Nurses

Sep 23

I recently came across a story about our friend, Rich Kierzek, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. You can read his story here. He wants to share his story however and with whomever he can to encourage men to have prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer is the #1 cancer among men in the U.S. (according to the National Cancer Institute). Over 170,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year.

On a personal note, my husband and I know Rich and his wife, Karen, from our years of journeying in faith as members of Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids. As part of a faith community, we travel on our paths and are blessed to have others like Rich and Karen to live life with. Through everything. Ups and downs. We had a really fun time when we were together with 12 Sacred Heart members on a mission trip to the Christian Appalachian Project in Mount Vernon Kentucky in 2002. We worked for a week on a project to remodel the home of Betty and Oscar. Our days were filled with meals together, prayer, meeting new people, attending churches in the area where we were welcomed for meals and services, Baptist and Catholic, and making new friends, some daily work and games of dominoes’ each night. Our CAP supervisor, Lloyd, went into town to get supplies one day and told our group to relax till he got back. Well, Rich and the rest of the guys did not know that word. They saw a job to be done and did it.  So when our leader came back, the guys had demolished a chimney and cleaned up the debris! They were admonished with, “You are so Minnesotan, you cannot even take a break.” We had so much fun!

Now, like Rich, I want people to know about a free prostate cancer screening night coming up THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25. Click here for details.

Please encourage any family, friends, and faith community members to be screened for prostate cancer regularly. We encourage support and prayer for all as we travel together on this life journey together:

TRUST – in His timing.

RELY – on His promises.

WAIT- for His answers.

REJOICE – in His goodness.

BELIEVE – in His miracles.

RELAX – in His Presence.

Annette Jesh is the Parish Health Ministries Program Coordinator for CentraCare and works to support Faith Community Nursing in the Diocese and CentraCare System.

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(2) comments

cheryl a hommerding September 26, 2019

Thank you for this awesome article. My father is a prostate cancer survivor and I am grateful for such early screening to allow us to enjoy our lives with those we Love!!!

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    Anntte Jesh October 12, 2019

    Cheryl,
    Rich & Karen are the best role models for me and so many things shared over so many years. I am so happy your father is a survivor. God Bless.
    Annette

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