Around age 50, I went in for a routine physical. Fortunately, my internist, Dr. Schminke, included a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. That decision likely saved my life.
My PSA was slightly elevated at 2 ng/ml. After antibiotics didn’t help, I underwent four biopsies over more than two years. By November 2013, my PSA had risen to 12 ng/ml, and I was finally diagnosed with prostate cancer.
At that point, I chose to have a radical prostatectomy, which was performed on December 31, 2013. During that same time period, both of my brothers were also diagnosed with prostate cancer and made the same treatment choice.
Thankfully, because my cancer was caught early, it was still fully contained within the prostate. Following my surgery and months of recovery, I made the decision to give back to the community. I knew I had been blessed with early detection, and I wanted to help others receive the same chance. After volunteering for a national organization, it was time to make it Iowan.
In July 2021, with the support of many passionate individuals, we founded Team Blue Iowa, a 100% volunteer-driven nonprofit organization. Our mission is simple but vital:
To provide support and awareness to Iowans affected by prostate cancer.
Since our founding, Team Blue Iowa has reinvested nearly $250,000 back into Iowa communities, made possible through annual events such as free PSA screening events, Golfing FORE a Purpose fundraiser, Blue Believers and Junior Believers Fun Run and our Annual Recognition Dinner each fall.
Team Blue Iowa continues to grow and expand across the state, reaching more men and families with the message that early detection saves lives.
I’m proud to say I’ve been living cancer-free for nearly 12 years. And I’m even more proud that together, we are making a difference - one man, one family and one community at a time.
Prostate Cancer in Men: What You Should Know
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
- Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men.
- When detected early, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%.
- Black men are about 70% more likely to develop prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from it.
- PSA screening can detect cancer before symptoms appear - early detection saves lives.
About Team Blue Iowa
Team Blue Iowa is on a mission to educate, support, and empower Iowans affected by prostate cancer. Through advocacy, awareness, and community engagement, we’re working to ensure that no man - and no family - faces this journey alone.
Learn more or get involved at teamblueiowa.org