As you know we will not be meeting in August. However PEPSS is hosting a BBQ for the membership of Wellspring in appreciation for the monthly use of their facility. The BBQ will be held Tuesday August 13 between 11:30 and 1:30. Randy Petersen has secured donations of  food and supplies from his employer (Torch Industries).  All we need is a few members to give us a hand to serve the meal. It would be great if you can help us out and have a little fun. Please let Terry Kirkland know if you can give us a couple of hours of your time (text or email 780 909-9960 – terry48kirk@gmail.com) . Thanks

According to a recent communication from the Kipness Centre staff, PSMA Pet scans will be available for purchase in Alberta August 9th. MIC will be the provider of the Pet scans. I am not sure of the cost – my guess, about $4000.   As you know the PSMA Pet scan can determine the location of  Prostate cancer that has metastasized outside the prostate. This is incredibly helpful to determine a treatment program. The PSMA Pet scan is far superior to the bone scan offered. 

There is a website members can explore if they would like to participate in  clinical trials around the world. Clinic Trials are an important component for improved treatment / cures for diseases. https://www.ancora.ai/

A little help please. Uro Spot is a business advertising a chair that apparently works the pelvic floor and kegel muscles to help improve continence. Have any members or spouses tried this treatment? If so, are you willing to share your experience? Call Terry with your assessment. 780 909-9960. 

The ManVan is hosting its first fund raising event September 8 to 14. We would be pleased to have as many members as possible attend this unique event. This fundraiser offers 7 nights of exceptional dining at Cafe AMORE Bistro (10807 106 ST)  The evening starts at 5:30 and offers a different meal selection each evening. A celebrity MC will host the evening. Click on the attached link and be sure to click on the + sign for the menu and celebrity MC. https://www.prostatecancercentre.ca/thatsamorefesta/. Treat your spouse or friend to an evening of fine food, fun and entertainment. Encourage  family, friends or colleagues to join us with this unique and important fundraiser. Nona and I will attend Friday September 13.

The ManVan initiative is a growing success. Coordinator Keith Persuad has the Van booked until the end of March.

We would enthusiastically welcome more volunteers to help host these events. This is a simple task. We approach men that appear to be between 50 and 70 years of age and ask if they would like to receive a free PSA test . If they consent, we use a small tablet to collect a minimal amount of personal information – date of birth, postal code and a point of contact where they can receive the results of their test. More often than not, the men that consent often put the data into the system. A very easy task. If you shadow myself or one of the other volunteers for an hour, that will allow you to determine if this volunteer opportunity is for you. When we recruit a few more volunteers the Calgary Prostate Centre will facilitate a training session.

You can also volunteer as a driver of the ManVan to scheduled events. The 32′ ManVan is scheduled to arrive in YEG in June. It is designed with 3 nursing stations and equipment to process and spin blood samples collected. In the interim we are using a 19 seat passenger van to deliver the equipment to the events. CPC pays the drivers $25 per hour and if the event is out of town, expenses and accomodation costs.

An example of upcoming events – The YEG Home and Reno Show / The Boat and Sportsman Show / The Home and Garden Show / Lexus of Edmonton private event. Out of town events will include Beaver Lake Cree Nation / Duffield Paul Nation. The future will take us to some of our northern cities served by the Kipness Clinic.

I have had the pleasure of working with several members and there is no shortage of fun and kibitzing. Come and join us.

If interested, contact Terry Kirkland at terry48kirk@gmail.com / 780 909-9960 text or call. This will allow us to schedule an orientation course and collect the necessary info for CPC.

If you want to test run this opportunity, let me know and I will gladly have you shadow me for an hour or so at one of the events. If you are at the Home Reno Show this weekend ,stop by the booth and introduce yourself.

Thanks for helping to spread PC awareness.

Please accept the Executive’s wishes for a fulfilling 2024 and the good health that allows you to enjoy the coming year.

Dr Desmond Pink is our scheduled speaker for the January 9th membership meeting held at the lovely Wellspring facility. Desmond will provide an update on the newly launched ClarityDX testing protocol. This test is a refined PSA testing protocol and Desmond will share the most recent responses from PC patients, the medical practitioners and health care providers such as AHS / FDA and Canada Health. There are several PEPSS members that have received this test and if they are present, I am sure Desmond will include them in his presentation.

The ManVan has a busy January schedule and our thanks to those that have volunteered to attend these clinics. There is always a need to increase the volunteer contingent, so we can embrace the “many hands make for little work”. A permanent ManVan will arrive in YEG in the spring and is expected to travel to some Northern Alberta communities. As a driver you will be paid $25 per hour and expenses incurred when volunteering. I have had fun with this volunteering and got to know members on a more personal basis. Come on and share that fun. Send me an email indicating you will help and we will set up an orientation course for you to attend (4 or 5 hours.) Thanks to Joe and Bruce for offering to shadow us at a couple of January stops.

Dr John Lewis and his research team lead by Desmond, have generously given their time to the PEPSS group. Let’s provide Desmond with reciprocal support and attend the meeting to show we appreciate the endless work they do to improve PC treatments. The meeting is held at Wellspring, Tuesday January 9th (11306 65 Ave) . Call to order at 7:00PM. Adjournment before 9:00 PM.

Thanks for the engaging support year in 2023. Let’s keep the momentum going.

Thanks to the 29 members that attended the November meeting to listen to and provide support to our speaker Ray P. By all accounts it was an informative and engaging meeting..

Please join us at Wellspring December 12 / 7:00 PM for our monthly meeting. Bryan Krysta has agreed to share his story on treatment for a very large prostate. Brian did spend time at the Kipness Prostate Clinic and after consulting with our urology team, chose to have treatment in the USA. Brian is an articulate professional that will enlighten those in attendance. Come and support Brian.

We are always trying to broaden our membership resources so we can assist those that join us on the PC path. If you have received Cryotherapy, and are willing to share your experience please contact Terry (780 909-9960). If you have prostate cancer that has metastasized and is outside the prostate, we could profit from your experience if you are willing to share.