FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3/3/23
CONTACT: Max Strauss or Malynda Washington, Hawks Brand Communications, [email protected]
More than $777,000 Donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation Since the Launch of Campaign in 2019
ATLANTA – Earlier this evening at the Hawks’ game, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation presented a check of $144,000 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) as a part of the team’s fifth annual Black History Month Assist Challenge. Throughout the month of February, the Hawks Foundation committed to donating $250 for every assist registered by the team. This season, the Hawks totaled 288 assists bringing the donation total to $72,000. In addition, Hawks Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz alongside the Ressler Gertz Family Foundation matched the initial donation to bring the total to $144,000.
“Fighting prostate cancer and increasing awareness about the disease among Black men is a team effort, which is why our campaign with the Prostate Cancer Foundation is so important,” said Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Executive Director of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation David Lee. “We are grateful for our partner in Emory Healthcare for joining us in the effort as part of Black History Month.”
Launched in 2019, the Hawks have helped PCF raise more than $777,000 through the annual Black History Month Assist Challenge to support lifesaving research through the Prostate Cancer Foundation. As a result of the annual challenge, millions of media impressions were garnered that included education about prostate cancer screenings, risk reduction, treatment and where to find additional local resources, such as the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.
“We are overwhelmed by the generous support PCF has received from the Hawks and are honored to again join efforts to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research,” said PCF President and CEO Charles J. Ryan, MD. “Our continued partnership with the Hawks helps us reach so many men about the importance of understanding your risk for prostate cancer, especially Black men, who are disproportionately affected. We call that a win!”
The challenge also aims to generate awareness of the importance for men, particularly Black men, to discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and one in six Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Learn more about the Black History Month Assist Challenge and find additional resources provided by Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University by visiting Hawks.com/PCF.
From left to right: David Lee (Hawks), Keith Shoates (PCF), Dr. Charles Ryan (PCF), Dr. Suresh Ramalingam (Emory University), Dr. Martin Sanda (Emory University) and Harry the Hawk (Hawks)
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ABOUT THE ATLANTA HAWKS
Committed to entertaining and uniting the city of Atlanta since 1968, the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena, under the leadership of Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz, continue to build bridges through basketball by following its True to Atlanta mantra. On the court, the Hawks’ exciting young core is led by All-Star point guard Trae Young as the organization received the NBA’s top ranking in overall in-game experience for the last two seasons. Off the court, the Hawks organization focuses on positively impacting the lives of Atlantans through providing access to youth basketball, fighting food insecurity, and the recent transformation of State Farm Arena into Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct for the 2020 elections. The Hawks family also includes the College Park Skyhawks (NBA G League) and Hawks Talon Gaming Club (NBA 2K League). Atlanta Hawks Membership, which includes your seat for every home game for the 2023-24 regular season, is on sale now at www.hawks.com/membership or by calling 866-715-1500. For more information on the Hawks, log on to www.hawks.com or follow us on social media @ATLHawks.
ABOUT THE PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993 by Mike Milken, PCF has been responsible for raising close to $1 billion in support of cutting-edge research by more than 2,250 research projects at 245 leading cancer centers in 28 countries around the world. Since PCF’s inception, and through its efforts, patients around the world are living longer, suffering fewer complications, and enjoying better quality of life. PCF is committed to creating a global public square for prostate cancer, in service to our mission of ending death and suffering from the disease. Learn more at pcf.org.
About Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, discovers, develops, delivers and teaches some of the world’s most effective ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat cancer. For more information, visit winshipcancer.emory.edu.
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