Southern Ulster Times, Wednesday, October 3, 2018
3
Walkway hosts 9th annual Prostate Cancer Walk
Continued from page 1
Prostate cancer can often be detected
by a simple blood test that determines the
presence of the prostate specific antigen
[PSA]. A doctor can then do a manual
exam to determine if there are any bumps
or hard areas on the gland, followed by
taking small samples of tissue from the
prostate for testing in a lab.
The Foundation was started by Dr.
Evan Goldfischer and his wife Julie.
“It’s kind of become part of the fabric
of the Hudson Valley; one of the heritage
events that everybody looks forward to on
the last Saturday of September,” he said.
Goldfischer, who chairs the Foundation,
said this year they are looking to raise
$80,000 for the Foundation.
“All the money stays local to help
patients in the Hudson Valley. It’s used
for a number of things, sometimes just to
pay for transportation to appointments or
to patients who have financial hardships
due to their prostate cancer, we pay rent
and mortgage payments, groceries and
gas,” he said. “It’s important to emphasize
that no money ever goes to a doctor, nor
any of it to pay physician’s fees; this is all
direct help for the patient who is suffering
financial needs.” He noted that treatment
for prostate cancer is expensive and the
Foundation, “is kind of a safety net.” He
added that the Foundation also assists
men and women who have colon cancer.
In his opening address at the start of
the walk, Goldfischer said that prostate
cancer is still the no. 2 cause of cancer
deaths in men in the United States,
claiming more than 30,000 lives each year.
“But the death rate has fallen by 33%
since 1990 due to advances in screening
with PSA testing and advances in therapy,
particularly in late stage disease,” he
said. “More than 70% of men over age 50
have had a PSA blood test and in the last
eight years the FDA has approved many
new drugs for the treatment of advanced
disease and there are many more to come
in the near future.”
Dr. Goldfischer pointed out that many
insurance carriers, “are misinterpreting
the literature to deny coverage for this
pot entially life-saving test. Premier
Cares Foundation believes the decision
to be screened should remain with the
individual patient and should not be
dictated by the federal government or
third-party payers.” He added that to date
the Foundation has dispersed $500,000
to help Hudson Valley patients suffering
from urological and/or GI diseases with
limited financial ability to pay for their
care.” He pointed out that more than
A banner was held up in honor of this year’s 9th annual Prostate Cancer Walk.
Walkers crossed the Walkway Over the Hudson for this year’s Prostate Cancer Walk.
$170,000 of the donations they have
received has gone into the Foundation’s
Care Fund that directly help patients
cover items that insurance denies, such
as medications, medical equipment,
transportation assistance, “or unplanned
expenses following urological or GI
diagnosis.”
Goldfischer said for additional
information about the Foundation
or to to apply for assistance is found
at
.premiercaresfoundation.org.
Applications are reviewed by professional
social workers, “who make sure the need
is appropriate, the financial component is
demonstrated and [it] usually gets done
in two to three weeks and then they get a
check.”
Dr. Leah M. Katz, of the Professional
Continued on page 4
Executive Director Amy Irwin spoke about
the important work the Premier Cares
Foundation does to help patients in the
Hudson Valley
Tim Faulds, of Fishkill, spoke of his journey
of overcoming prostate cancer.
Marlboro teacher Katherine Plover brought three of her Middle School students to volunteer
for the Walk. Pictured L-R Julie Gaer, Plover, Celeste Charlemagne and Sydney Slimak.