The ‘Big O’ Helps Lead the Fight for ZERO

As a physician with The Urology Group my colleagues and I get first-hand experience at the toll prostate cancer (or any cancer for that matter) takes on a patient and his family and friends. We’re proud that the physicians in our group focus on treating both the medical and the human side of these ugly diseases.

We are passionate about fighting prostate cancer and that passion showed last Saturday, September 8, at our 6th annual Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5k Run/Walk event. As The Urology Group’s Chairperson for the race I must admit I wasn’t sure the event would even go on when I woke Saturday morning to thunder and rain. However, as the rain continued to pour, I couldn’t believe the number of people who kept on coming. Volunteers, runners, walkers, family and friends. They just kept coming. In the end, a record-breaking 874 runners and walkers registered for the event — with nearly 150 of them actually making the choice to register that morning! I couldn’t believe the support.

We delayed the race by 15 minutes to wait for the rain to subside and then, almost by miracle, the sun began to shine. The first runner returned in just over 17 minutes and then, one-by-one hundreds of others crossed the finish line. Although we’re still tallying the numbers we know this year’s event brought in more money to fight prostate cancer than ever before. ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer (http://zerocancer.org) is the national nonprofit that was the benefactor of our race and 33 others like it around the country. ZERO’s goal is to raise more than $1mm in 2012. We’re confident our race was a significant contributor toward the goal.

We’re privileged that Oscar Robertson, NBA legend and a prostate cancer survivor himself, served as our Honorary Chair for the event. He was a tremendous asset in the weeks leading up to the race as we promoted it to the Cincinnati community. Just as importantly he did more than make an appearance on Saturday. He arrived early and very humbly used his great stature to help lift the tops of booth tents so rainwater could drain off. He then shared breakfast with several dozen fellow survivors (and Rob Williams of Fox 19) before making his way to the main stage.

The Urology Group shared a unique page in its history at this year’s race by dedicating our new advanced surgery center. The new facility offers Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky residents some of the most progressive urologic care under one roof in the nation.

On behalf of Dr. Gary Kirsh, President of The Urology Group, Earl Walz, CEO, and Dr. Philip Buffington, Chief Medical Officer, I’d like to thank the Greater Cincinnati community for supporting this important cause in men’s health. Together we can improve the lives of men throughout the Tri-state who are fighting prostate cancer.