LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 13, 2019 – Winners of the 2nd Annual TRUE Love campaign, which honors caregivers of prostate cancer patients, were announced today by the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). Selected by actress Kristen Bell from hundreds of submissions, the winning stories recognized Deborah Price from Petaluma, CA and Shirley Tompkins from Connersville, IN. In addition to being featured on PCF’s website and social media channels, both winners will receive “caregiver packages” personally curated by Bell. The campaign not only provided those who have been affected by the disease an outlet to express their appreciation to their caregivers, but also helped raise awareness about prostate cancer and the resources available for patients and their caregivers.
“I have personally witnessed the important role caregivers play in prostate cancer patients’ lives. The work they do is extremely difficult and requires true dedication, which so often goes unrecognized,” said Bell. “I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted the beautiful and heartfelt stories that were filled with hope, love and admiration. It’s an honor to work with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to pay tribute to these unsung heroes.”
2019 TRUE Winners:
• Robert Coleman wrote about the strength of his wife, Deborah Price, demonstrated throughout his journey and the overwhelming challenges she faced while taking care of him, her business and their household, while surviving the devastating Paradise fire in Northern California.
Excerpt: “I had never experienced such unyielding unconditional love. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her and our daughter behind. I realized that love in a relationship is not granted to everybody because it isn’t a given in this world. You have to make it more real every single day.” View Robert’s complete story here.
• As an adopted daughter of two loving parents, Jade Beckman shared an incredible story of how her mother, Shirley Tompkins, who fostered 70 children, has been the “ultimate caregiver,” to her husband of 56 years, James Robert Tompkins.
Excerpt: “My mom is the ultimate caregiver. She loves until it seems she doesn’t have the strength to love any more, and then, she somehow finds it. …she never complains or raises her voice or feels sorry for herself, she just keeps loving my dad.” View Jade’s complete story here.
“The TRUE Love campaign has become an annual favorite at PCF. We love providing a platform where caregiver stories can be told, and their tireless efforts can be honored,” said Christine Jones, COO, PCF. “We are so grateful to Kristen for all she has done to raise awareness about prostate cancer and the critical role caregivers play in the patient journey.”
All of the stories, including the winners can be found at www.PCF.org/true. Although this year’s campaign has ended, PCF still encourages everyone to visit the website to share their caregiver story.
About Prostate Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, there are more than four million men living with prostate cancer in the U.S. In 2019, nearly 175,000 U.S. men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and nearly 32,000 will die from the disease. One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer.
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 more than $1 billion in support of cutting-edge research through more than 2,250 research projects at 245 leading cancer centers, with a global footprint spanning 28 countries. 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 the mission of ending death and suffering from the disease.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Colleen McKenna
Prostate Cancer Foundation
(310) 570-4722
[email protected]