Fundraising Spotlight: Dr. Fred D. Parrott( continued)
As a physician, it was Dr. Parrott’ s interest to showcase healthy eating choices as much as the color, flavor, and panache that were perennial drawing cards. By 1991, close to 2,000 eager eaters were in attendance. Over the years, a whole cadre of regular attendees showed up wearing some of the most eye-popping attire imaginable.
All walks of life were represented in the ranks of the cooks. Most contestants were amateurs with a passion for spending many days – or months – preparing for the big event. Individuals with a unique spin on a culinary favorite were always part of the fun. In 1993, Real Women Cook made it to the stage through Dr. Parrott’ s careful nurturing hands.
The spectacle was a tremendous networking opportunity. Celebrities and civic leaders were there. The beautiful, glamorous people were attracted by Real Men Cook’ s underlying mission, as well as the event format and the crowds. Dr. Parrott’ s flair and vision created alluring- yet wholesome- sideshows. You could hear fabulous live music, purchase wearable items, and connect with lifelong new best friends.
In the middle of the party, uncertain reality reared its fateful head. Dr. Parrott was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1994. By that time, his Foundation was on its way to raising many hundreds of thousands of dollars primarily on behalf of medical student support at CDU and the other HBCUs.
With a shrewd eye and remaining relentless in his mission and purpose, Dr. Parrott pivoted from the live events. This enterprising visionary created a new platform in establishing the Real Men Cook Foundation Center for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer.
It is Dr. Parrott’ s belief that early detection of prostate cancer and general prostate cancer education and awareness is the most significant achievement of the various real Men Cook iterations.“ We have provided screening for over 50,000 minority men with many lives saved,” he observed.“ Today, I still have men come up to me and say,‘ you saved my life’.”
Speaker of the House Karen Bass( D-47) In Association with:
• Alpha Phi Alpha( Beta Psi Lambda Chapter)
“ Real Men Cook” Foundation Center for the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer
• Kappa Alpha Psi( Los Angeles Alumni Chapter)
• Omega Psi Phi( Zeta Tau & Zeta Rho Chapters)
• Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. California State Council
• Assoc. of Black Women Physicians
• 100 Black Men of Los Angeles
• American Bio-Clinical Laboratories
• Toyota Motors
In Honor of Veterans Day We Are Sponsoring A FREE & CONFIDENTIAL CANCER SCREENING EVENT
For All Men 40 And Older On Saturday, November 14th 10:00 am to 3:00 pm At The Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
A husband, father, son, brother, grandfather or friend dies every 17 minutes from Prostate Cancer.
Are you an African American 40 years or older? Did your father or brother have Prostate Cancer? GET TESTED NOW!
One in every six men will get Prostate Cancer. There will be over 2.8 million cases of Prostate Disease reported in 2009. For over 220,900 men, it will be Prostate CANCER.
Trinity Baptist Church Pastor Alvin Tunstill Jr.
REGISTER TODAY CALL( 323) 294-7411
Consulations & Screenings coordinated by USC Norris & Community Doctors
Over 28,900 will die because they did not get an examination soon enough.
Don ' t let it be said, " He was too embarrassed or afraid to get tested." We cannot rest until we win the battle against Prostate Cancer.“ EARLY DETECTION MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE!”
REGISTER TODAY ONLINE at www. RealMenCookFoundation. org
Real Men Cook is an example of Dr. Parrott’ s talent for recognizing the value of bringing together diverse parts of the community in a unified cause, often while having fun.
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 19