Impact at the 2022 ZERO Summit
Celebrating the 2022 Bold For Blue Award Winners
inform elected officials on the urgent need to support legislation and research funding and to make prostate cancer a priority on Capitol Hill. A record-breaking attendance of more than 1,700 Summit registrants participated
Once again, the annual ZERO Summit made transformative progress as the largest gathering of its kind for the prostate cancer community. The pandemic may have kept us from convening in person, yet still,
HOPE AWARD WINNERS SPOTLIGHT “We appreciate that this Hope Award calls attention to the importance of creating a safe space for men and their care partners to share their needs, feelings, and questions. That we can give our time and presence is a gift enough. The opportunity to walk with the courageous, sensitive, and generous ones which join together in mutual, vulnerable caring and support fills us with gratitude.” - Kathie and Dave Houchens, 2022 Hope Award Winners “I was very honored to get this award. It was a surprise and unexpected. I do this work because I am a gay man with prostate cancer and was desperate for information. By advocating for myself, I advocate for other gay men and moving forward for all men with prostate cancer.” - Anthony Pizzoferrato, 2022 Hope Award Winner
ZERO rolled out the “blue carpet” again for the fourth annual Bold for Blue Award Ceremony — a celebration of the passionate and dedicated men, women, families, and companies who have made a bold impact in the fight against prostate cancer. This year’s Bold for Blue fundraising awards high- lighted those who went above and beyond in 2021 with life-changing and heroic fundraising efforts to support patients and families during their time of critical need. This year’s Legacy Award was presented to Us TOO International, which merged with ZERO in 2021. The merger helped to increase prostate awareness and advance research and access to care through a united advocacy platform. Three honorees took home Impact Awards to honor their unrelenting commitment to the fight against prostate cancer. Congratulations to Ryan Pessah, Landi Maduro, and Don Williamson for raising awareness and funds in their communities above and beyond the call of duty. The winners of the Edward C. Kaps Hope Award were celebrated for their exemplary dedication, service, and for providing hope to prostate cancer survivors and their families.
Kaps Award recipients include Kathie and Dave Houchens, Anthony Pizzoferrato, and the late Jerry Deans. The recipient of the first-ever Caesar Blevins Warrior Award , inspired by and named after a prostate cancer super-advocate who passed away in April 2021, was the late Jim Wilhelmsen , for his devotion and passion for ending prostate cancer. The Megaphone Award Winner went to rock icon and founding member of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, Jay Jay French , for raising his voice and bravely sharing his prostate cancer story. This year’s top corporate fundraisers include AutoNation, Pfizer Oncology, Bayer, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Baird . Top fundraisers included Sandy Maxey, Bill Miller, Suzanne Schlernitzauer, Karen Jauregui, The Forsburg 40, Team Nikituk, Jack Porter, Ryan and Anna Pessah, Team Angus, Robert Ferrari, Sue Spector, Nancy Diamond, Dan Perkins,
nothing could stop this committed community of heroes from standing by men and families to ensure elected officials hear patient experiences and answer their call to action. This year’s virtual Summit featured the same advocacy, education, and support that makes this an annual change-making event. 140 advocates from 39 states held 168 virtual meetings to urge their members of Congress to advance prostate cancer research funding. Advocates shared personal stories and helped
in interactive and informative sessions on the latest in prostate cancer research, sexual health, managing treatment side effects, and much more.
A very special thank you to ZERO’s Champions, who were instrumental in ensuring our community’s voices were heard by Congress.
Be sure to save the date for the 2023 Summit, held on February 26-28 in the Washington, D.C. area, with in-person and virtual opportunities. Registration is now open at zerocancer.org/summit
“ I MET A DOCTOR at the ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit who shared a treatment option that wasn’t even on my radar. I’m forever grateful and have made the Summit an annual tradition to connect with patients and fellow survivors to learn about the latest prostate cancer developments from the experts. “ Tony Mintor Prostate Cancer Survivor ZERO Champion
Catherine Hawley, Michael Bachmann, and Darik Pearson .
Anthony Pizzoferrato and his husband, Pete
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