giving back
Mike Slive Foundation for Prostate Cancer Research launches to make a difference in men ’ s lives
By COURTNEY BISHOP
It all started over coffee at Salem ’ s Diner in Homewood between Mike Slive and Ed Meyerson . Slive had been battling prostate cancer and as the former SEC commissioner , knowledge of his diagnosis became public .
Slive ’ s treatment wasn ’ t easy at times , but he realizes how lucky he was to be in Birmingham for treatment and care . “ We are fortunate to live in a community with access to such great medical care ,” he says . “ The medical professionals at UAB were an integral part of my treatment and care .”
Slive ’ s good friend Meyerson , former president of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board , became inspired to start a foundation for prostate cancer research . Meyerson had watched his father battle prostate cancer and now his good friend . “ When I asked Mike if this foundation could use his name , he said , ‘ You know what , it ’ s a contribution I can make because I don ’ t want any other man to go through what I went through ,’” says Meyerson . “ And with those words , Mike put his name and face on the fight , and here we are today .”
Meyerson and Slive created the Mike Slive Foundation for Prostate Cancer Research , realizing they could make the difference in men ’ s lives much like the Breast Cancer Foundation of Alabama does for women . The mission of the Mike Slive Foundation is to save lives by funding cutting-edge prostate cancer research .
The foundation has made great strides in its inaugural year , committing $ 150,000 to fund innovative prostate cancer research at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center . “ The response we have received in such a short time has been amazing ,” says Anna Slive Harwood , daughter of Mike Slive and vice president of the Mike Slive Foundation . “ We are excited to see what 2018 will bring for the Foundation .”
The Mike Slive Foundation officially kicked off with a
launch event in September . Paul Finebaum , wellknown sports commentator and close friend of Slive , was keynote speaker at the event . “ If you know Mike Slive , he doesn ’ t just lend his name to something , he is going to get very involved too ,” says Finebaum .
The Mike Slive Foundation has exciting plans for fundraising , including the “ Block Cancer ” campaign that was just announced . “ Block Cancer ” will be a season-long UAB Basketball fundraiser . For every blocked shot the UAB Men ’ s Basketball team has , the UAB Athletics staff , including the basketball players , will donate to the Mike Slive Foundation . Fans and friends of UAB Athletics are also encouraged to participate . Their final home game on March 3 will be a Prostate Cancer Awareness Night , $ 2 from every ticket sold will go to the Mike Slive Foundation , and prostate cancer survivors will be honored during the game .
One of the goals of the Mike Slive Foundation is to change the dialogue about prostate cancer . “ Prostate cancer is where breast cancer was 25 years ago ,” Slive Harwood says . “ People don ’ t talk about it . Men really don ’ t want to talk about it . One of our goals is to change that dialogue .”
The public can support prostate cancer research and the Mike Slive Foundation by signing up to receive a newly approved designated prostate cancer license plate . Visit MikeSliveFoundation . org to register for the specialty tag . “ My life was saved by cutting-edge prostate cancer research . Now , I have the opportunity to give back and help save other lives through the Foundation ,” says Slive . “ No one should die from prostate cancer .”
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