Special to The Leader

During National Men’s Health Month in June, the Gift of Life, in partnership with local healthcare organizations, will provide medically underserved men with free prostate cancer tests and other important screenings, along with educational outreach, to heighten awareness of men’s preventable health problems in Southeast Texas.

Serving as Men’s Health Month Honorary Chair is Jefferson County Commissioner Michael “Shane” Sinegal, who is a steadfast advocate of the organization’s mission of saving lives.

“I encourage Southeast Texas men who cannot afford insurance or their deductible to register for the Gift of Life’s lifesaving medical and educational services,” Commissioner Sinegal said.

Screenings will be performed from 9 a.m. – Noon on Saturday, June 3 in Beaumont at the Beaumont Civic Center; Saturday, June 10 in Orange at Lamar State College Student Center; and Saturday, June 24 in Port Arthur at the Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center.

Screening pre-registration is recommended, and walk-ins will be accepted subject to eligibility.

Gift of Life screens men who are at least 45 years of age (40 if African American or younger if there is a family history of prostate cancer) and have not had prostate cancer, have limited income and are medically underinsured. Early detection is the best protection, and statistics reflect that the five-year survival rate for men whose prostate cancer is diagnosed early is nearly 100 percent.

Gift of Life’s essential services, which help to reduce healthcare disparities, benefit men who cannot afford insurance or who have high deductibles. At screening sites, clients receive comprehensive primary healthcare services—including on-site consultations with medical professionals to discuss the significance of test results and healthy lifestyle practices—educational information and navigation to necessary resources. The free panel of screenings includes prostate-specific antigen (PSA), cholesterol and glucose, blood pressure, HIV and Hepatitis C tests. Gift of Life’s Men Against Cancer Prostate Cancer Support Group members volunteer and offer assistance to clients and their families and ensure everyone receives breakfast and lunch, door prizes and other health-related materials.

Medical support at the screenings will be provided by Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, University of Texas Medical Branch, Legacy Community Health, Gulf Coast Health Center, Triangle Area Network, Beaumont and Port Arthur Health Department, UTMB, UT Physicians group, and Lamar University faculty and students, all of whom are vital partners in the organization’s coordinated medical continuum of care and deliverance of regional services for medically underserved men.

Since 2000, the Gift of Life has made available nearly 9,000 free prostate cancer screenings and helped extend the lives of 71 men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Screenings, diagnostic tests and cancer treatment costs are entirely paid for by the Gift of Life. The majority of funds for this endeavor are generated by the organization’s annual fundraiser, Champagne and Ribs.

Gift of Life’s Prostate Cancer Support Group, Men Against Cancer, meets on the second Tuesday of each month at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and allows men an opportunity to receive support, share experiences and gain information from featured speakers as they embark on their journey of recovery.

For more information, visit giftoflifebmt.org or call the office at 409.833.3663. To register for a screening, please call the 24-hour hotline at 409.860.3369.