Great Prostate Cancer Challenge Donates $45,000 in Scholarships to American Urological Association Foundation

Chesapeake Urology Associates Research Scholar Program Helping Local Docs Succeed

WASHINGTON, May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Proceeds from the 2009 Great Prostate Cancer Challenge® in Baltimore (GPCC) will be used to support the American Urological Association Foundation Chesapeake Urology Scholar Fund.

ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer, in partnership with Chesapeake Urology Associates, PA, has donated $45,000 to the American Urological Association Foundation Chesapeake Urology Research Fund to award grants for prostate cancer research.

"Chesapeake Urology and the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge continue our commitment to support research in the field of prostate cancer through this donation to the AUA Foundation," Dr. Sanford J. Siegel, president and CEO of Chesapeake Urology Associates and founder of the GPCC national race series, said. "GPCC also is committed to raise awareness and provide testing for this disease, which is diagnosed in almost 200,000 men annually and kills more than 27,000 men each year. Chesapeake Urology wants to make a difference in the community in which we live and work."

To date, the GPCC race has contributed nearly $300,000 in scholarship monies to the AUA Foundation Chesapeake Urology Research Fund and has a goal of raising $750,000 in total. The AUA Foundation is the world's leading non-profit urological health organization and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. The AUA Foundation's mission is to promote health, provide hope and promise a future free of urological disease.

The 2008/2009 AUA Foundation/Chesapeake Urology Scholar grant was awarded to Sinichi Skamoto, M.D., Ph.D. to support his research on "The Role of Talin in Prostate Cancer."

"We are honored to be a partner with Chesapeake Urology, and we take great pride in supporting its mission to reinvest charitable funds back into prostate cancer research and awareness and into our local community," ZERO's CEO Skip Lockwood said. "We look forward to growing the GPCC program year after year to be able to raise awareness and funds to help end prostate cancer."

About the GPCC

The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge, the premier men's health event series in America, is the only healthcare-related fundraising program in the country that is physician-based.  The GPCC is a heartfelt tight-knit community event that brings together athletes, cancer survivors, physicians, caregivers, family members and friends. Started in 2007 to raise funding and awareness for prostate cancer research, the GPCC awards community grants and provides free prostate cancer testing to those in need. In partnership with ZERO's DASH FOR DAD race series, more than 5,000 participants are expected across 11 races in 2010. The GPCC Baltimore will hold its fourth annual 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium.

About Chesapeake Urology Associates

Chesapeake Urology Associates is the largest urology practice in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic Region. CUA's urologists deliver high quality and innovative urology care to men, women and children. Composed of 48 of the mid-Atlantic region's top urologists, including many who are fellowship-trained, four radiation oncologists, and a urologic pathologist, Chesapeake Urology provides the convenience of 16 urology centers, the Prostate Center, the Incontinence Center and 14 surgical centers throughout the greater Baltimore, Maryland area. CUA's experienced, board-certified urologists use advanced treatments to manage all types of urological conditions including prostate, bladder, testicular and kidney cancers, enlarged prostate (BPH), erectile dysfunction (ED), kidney stones, male infertility and sexuality, microsurgical vasectomy reversal and urinary incontinence.

About ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer

Zero prostate cancer deaths. Zero prostate cancer cases and for those with prostate cancer, it means a zero PSA. Our name conveys what we stand for: zero tolerance for prostate cancer.

As ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer, we commit ourselves not only to reduce prostate cancer or alleviate the pain from the disease, but to end it. We see a future where all men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer will be cured or manage their illness with good quality of life, with the support they need to minimize physical and emotional suffering and to cope effectively throughout their cancer journeys.

To accomplish our goal, we provide comprehensive treatment information to patients, education to those at risk, and conduct free prostate cancer testing throughout the country. We increase research funds from the federal government to find new treatments and we fund local grants to end the disease.

SOURCE ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer