Largest Men's Health Event Series In U.S. Formed, Kicks Off April 28

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 60 events nationwide have united under the same banner for one cause.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130129/DC50244LOGO)

Called the ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge (ZPCC), the new series is comprised of run/walks, golf tournaments and teams at top endurance events. The ZPCC, managed by ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer (a national 501c3 charity), raises awareness and funds to save lives from the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer among American men.

"Thousands are making a choice for a healthy lifestyle by walking, running, cycling and playing golf to help end prostate cancer," ZERO CEO Jamie Bearse said. "Building a movement to defeat such a dreaded disease takes teamwork. We're extremely grateful to the 100-plus local partners like doctor offices, local charities and sponsors for coming together to begin this effort."

The ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge event series is broken down into: ZERO Prostate Cancer Run, ZERO Prostate Cancer Golf and ZERO Prostate Cancer Endurance. Whether you're a triathlete, avid golfer or just like to take a leisurely stroll around the block, there is a way for you to get involved in a city near you.

ZERO Prostate Cancer Run brings together the successful DASH FOR DAD race series, the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge race series and several other popular local races into one program with run/walk events in more than three dozen cities across the nation, from large cities like Washington, DC and Los Angeles, to small towns like Lancaster, PA.  Hosted by many urology practices and oncology centers, the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run brings together athletes, cancer patients and survivors, physicians, caretakers, family members and friends in the fight to end prostate cancer. The events are family-friendly, and most consist of a 5K run and a 1-mile walk.

ZERO Prostate Cancer Golf joins together ZERO's annual Know Your Score celebrity golf tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC with more than a half-dozen events formerly managed by the Prostate Awareness Research Foundation (PAR for Life). In January, PAR for Life merged with ZERO, with its Founder and President Evan Denhart joining ZERO's executive team.

"I'm very excited that the PAR for Life golf series is becoming part of the ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge," said Denhart. "I think this is a tremendous opportunity to begin to unify the movement and solidify ZERO as the leader in awareness for prostate cancer. Together we can end it."

ZERO Prostate Cancer Endurance allows athletes to accomplish their personal fitness goals, meet friends and help end prostate cancer by offering spaces in top-tier endurance events across the nation. ZERO fields teams in top endurance activities like the New York City Marathon, Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon and several Ironman events around the country.

In addition to educating men and families about prostate cancer, ZERO aims to encourage participants to help make funding prostate cancer research a national priority by attending the organization's annual fly-in conference, ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit, and/or write letters to their elected officials. The U.S. government is the largest funder of prostate cancer research in the world and nearly every new treatment in the last five years has been discovered because of federal funds secured by ZERO and its advocates.

To learn more about the ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge and for a full list of events near you, visit http://www.zerocancer.org.

About ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer (www.zerocancer.org)

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 – all action and zero tolerance for prostate cancer.

As ZERO — The End of 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 increase research funds from the federal government to find new treatments and we fund local grants to end prostate cancer and educate men and families through our national event series, the ZERO Prostate Cancer Challenge.

We're a 501c3 charity, a Better Business Bureau member and 89 cents of every dollar donated goes to programs.

SOURCE ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer