"Flyers Charities is proud to partner with Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center to bring awareness to the importance of prostate cancer screenings and launch the Flyers Against Prostate Cancer initiative," said Cindy Stutman, Executive Director of Flyers Charities. "For decades, Flyers Charities has supported families throughout the Philadelphia region affected by cancer, and this new initiative builds on that proud legacy."
The Flyers Against Prostate Cancer initiative will be managed by Penn Medicine's Carmen Guerra, MD, MSCE, associate director of Diversity and Outreach at the Abramson Cancer Center, and Senior Research Coordinator Armenta Washington, and will bring high level care to the community and help overcome barriers like transportation. Dr. Guerra will also bang the ceremonial pre-game Flyers drum at tonight's game.
Five walk/drive-through clinics will be set up at local sites in the Philadelphia region, with a focus on reaching communities who have the highest mortality rates from prostate cancer. Eligible participants will undergo a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood draw, and a patient navigator will inform participants of the results and provide navigation to further diagnostic testing if needed.
"We're grateful that this grant will support important cancer screening initiatives within the Philadelphia community," Guerra said. "Bringing cancer screenings into the community has been an effective strategy for reducing disparities in cancer screening and cancer outcomes and we're excited to continue this important work with help from the Philadelphia Flyers."
As pandemic restrictions have been largely removed throughout the region, the Flyers have strongly prioritized re-connecting players with the community. Philadelphia Flyers forwards Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim will serve as the official player advocates for cancer initiatives. As part of their commitment, they will work with Flyers Charities to support the Flyers Against Prostate Cancer initiative by being involved in PSAs and making appearances at the mobile screening sites.
The Flyers Against Prostate Cancer initiative in partnership with Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer will launch in early 2023.
