In recognition of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program kicked off its annual Prostate Cancer Screening Events on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Lamar State College-Port Arthur Carl Parker Center, where more than 180 medically underserved men received free screenings.

Port Arthur Mayor Deloris “Bobbie” Prince and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Honorary Chair, Jefferson County Commissioner Everette “Bo” Alfred, visited with screening clients.

“I think this program is one of the greatest gifts given to any person,” Mayor Prince said. “It’s the giving spirit - you don’t find many organizations that put themselves out and bring hope to people.”

Alfred spoke with clients after they viewed an educational video on prostate cancer.

“It’s an honor to have the ‘Gift of Life’ provide this service. I want to thank you for coming out because it could save your life,” the Commissioner said. “I spoke with a man who has been a prostate cancer survivor since 1987. He said ‘Thanks to screenings, my father was able to diagnose and treat his cancer and live a longer life, yet he ultimately succumbed to heart disease.’”

Clients received PSA blood tests from volunteer phlebotomists Emmy Auzenne, MT (ASCP); Evelyn Henninger, MT (ASCP); Irene Ramirez, RN; Kyrin Baker-Shaw, NRCPT; and Burley Williams, MLT (ASCP), associates of the Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Institute. “Gift of Life” Medical Advisory Board Member Steven Socher, MD, and Manuel Espinoza, MD, of UTMB-Galveston, performed digital rectal exams. Gay-Lynne Jones, RN, provided additional medical assistance.

Participants received free T-shirts, a delicious lunch, and educational materials. They also had the opportunity to win exciting door prizes and participate in a drawing for five donated $100 gift cards.

Alfred encouraged the men to spread the word and tell their friends to seek annual prostate cancer testing.

“If you know anyone in Orange…tell them ‘I was man enough to get my test done. Please…It could save your life.’ ”

The “Gift of Life” will conduct two additional screenings in Orange and Beaumont over the next two weekends:

• 9 -11 a.m., Saturday, Sept.15, at the Lamar State College – Student Activity Center, 403 Green Avenue in Orange.

• 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, 710 IH-10 East in Beaumont.

The Port Arthur Screening Event was sponsored by: Quality Mat Company, Inc., Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospitals, BASF and TOTAL: Miracle Match for Life, Jefferson County, Entergy Texas, Sallye Keith, The Modern Group, Ltd., Capital One, McDonald’s & Golden Triangle Cycle Center, H-E-B, Transit Mix Concrete and Materials, City of Beaumont, TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Plastic Surgery Associates, AstraZeneca, Pfizer Inc., Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, and Beaumont Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (409) 833-3663 or toll free at (877) 720-GIFT (4438).