PCC promotes cancer awareness | Calgary Herald

Article content

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Jeff Davison, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Centre, says the emphasis is firmly on awareness.

His personal and organization’s mission is to get through to all men in the province how important it is to get checked. Quoting remarkable and rather frightening statistics that one in six men in Alberta will have to face what has become the fastest growing cancer within the male populace, Davison says when detected early, the cancer is treatable to almost a 100 per cent recovery.

Article content

Article content

Getting checked would seem to be necessary, yet many men still avoid a quick and simple blood test that could be a life-saver. PSA (prostate specific antigen) screening has been a confusing issue for men for many years, but we are fortunate to have a group of professionals working out of a world-class medical centre in this city dedicated to the fight against prostate cancer and advocating for men’s health.

Located above the parkade at Rockyview General Hospital, the centre is undergoing an expansion that will enable it to enhance its services across the province. The entire floor space is under construction, which will add another 9,000 square feet primarily to house the centre’s prehabilitation clinic, and allow Ignite Technology to help the centre make virtual care accessible throughout the province. Patient services cannot stop during the construction period that is scheduled to be completed by year-end.

Remington Development is supplying the construction crew, working to drawings by the interior design team at Riddell Kurczaba Architecture, along with generous support from Falkbuilt and RGO Office Interiors.

Article content

Article content

Davison says the organization relies heavily on the support of the local community, and the annual Remington Golf Classic tournament has been raising money for the centre for the past 16 years — the 2023 Stewart Creek event raised another $400,000. And a similar dedicated Golf Charity Classic tournament at Priddis Greens, which is in its 25^th year, is expected to raise an additional $400,000.

A guest appearance at the tournaments is made by a Man Van that encourages participants to take a simple and quick blood test.

Currently, there are two Man Vans operating and another is expected to be delivered early next year to Edmonton to increase the number of events and number of men given the opportunity to be tested.

Of course, treating physical symptoms is only part of the recovery process. The centre has a resource component equipped to give patients and their families the information and support they need to overcome the stress of diagnosis and treatment.

Davison and his team have a new focus on mental health and good physical health before surgery. The mantra is “wellness not illness,” as they continue to make a difference in the quality of lives of men.

Article content

If you are aged between 40 and 70, be aware and take a test.

Notes:

The quality of locally brewed craft beers can be judged by the increase in shelf space they are given in liquor stores. Farh Brewery in Diamond Valley continues to win accolades from a much wider audience, capturing national and international awards. President Jochen Fahr is proud to share that his Copper beer won Grand Gold at the Frankfurt International Trophy competition, and silver at the Canadian Brewing Awards held in Halifax. His Munich Dark Lager earned a silver in a Canadian competition, and Hefe was gold and country winner in the Bavarian Wheat beer category. They will be available, along with the once a-year special Oktoberfest Lager, at the Fahr Oktoberfest being held at Grey Eagle on Sept. 15 and 16, where the Schuhplatter Dance Group, European polka bands and German foods are expected to attract more than 6,000 guests over the two days. The next big event is the 20^th anniversary of the global Rolls-Royce headquarters in London, U.K., on Oct. 6, where Fahr Brewery beers have been chosen to be served to 1,500 guests. The brewery will also have a page in an event book, “Strive for Perfection,” honouring it as a global, sustainable luxury brand.

David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or by email at [email protected]

Article content