By Dawn Burleigh

Far too many times, men ignore symptoms of illness.

It is easy to understand, as the head of the household, you may be more concerned with the well being of those you are providing for and just hoping the pain, or headaches will just go away.

This Father’s Day, give your family a gift which will mean more to them than even quality time – your health.

June is National Men’s Health Month, which was proclaimed by the City of Orange and Orange County Commissioners Court on Tuesday.

More than a proclamation, it is also about bringing awareness to the community about preventable health problems and to help encourage early detection and treatment of such.

Gift of Life will be in Orange from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, June 30, at West Orange Stark High School for free men’s healthcare screenings.

The screenings include prostate cancer screening, Cholesterol panel, HIV, blood pressure, Hepatitis C, blood sugar and on-site physician consultation if needed.

All for free to those who are eligible.

Since 2000, Gift of Life has made available nearly 9,300 free prostate cancer screenings. Of those, 74 men were diagnosed with prostate screening.

Gift of Life does not stop with the diagnosis, the organization with approximately 500 volunteers, stays with a patient through diagnostic tests and cancer treatments.

With early detection, statistics show a five-year survival rate for men who were diagnosed early is nearly 100-percent.

Take the time to show your family you want to continue to be there for them by taking the time to register for the health screening with Gift of Life.

To find out if you are eligible, call 409-833-3663.

It is a simple blood test, but could be the difference between growing old with your bride or leaving her a widow. Stay by her side and get tested.

 

Dawn Burleigh is editor of The Orange Leader. She can be reached at dawn.burleigh@orangeleader.com