'Auto Trends' Talks To A Former Professional Athlete Who Is Galvanizing Black Men Around Prostate Cancer

Kris Bennett is a national prostate cancer foot soldier. (photo credit: ZC)

 

Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only syndicated multicultural automotive program in North America, is kicking off its 8th radio season, focusing on a life changing disease that has personally impacted the host of the program, Jeff Fortson, an 11-year prostate cancer survivor.  

With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Kris Bennett, a former professional athlete, joins us for a one-on-one conversation. At an early age, Bennett, who is currently working on his third master's degree, knew his skills would go beyond being a star on the court. While his dreams of balling in the NBA were dashed, Bennett knew he could exert the same physical energy and mental astuteness he exuded on the courts overseas, galvanizing Black men around health, more specifically prostate cancer.

The energetic 33-year-old team builder, who currently serves as ZERO's director of health equity, community organizing and engagement, one of the leading prostate cancer advocacy organizations in the nation, has been tirelessly criss-crossing the country post George Floyd, providing a safe space for his underserved community to convene and become educated about the silent disease known as prostate cancer. 

In fact, Bennett and his small, but highly impactful team has created an unconventional means to connect with Black men and their families, while giving them access to free prostate cancer screenings and other educational tools needed to weather this disease via a Black film fest. 

Being that the average age of someone diagnosed with this disease is in the mid-sixties, Bennett has found his lane currently serving as a national foot soldier, as the youngest Black director, at any of the major prostate cancer organizations in the states.

The Stats And Screening Ages

One out of five Black men will be personally afflicted by this disease during their lifetime. Like many other ills, Black men are impacted by this disease, at a higher rate than any other group. At the age of 40, Black men should schedule an annual prostate screening. However, if there is a family history, Black men should begin their annual screening at age 35. 

Tune In

The conversation with Bennett will air Saturday, September 23 thru Thursday, September 28. To hear the program on SiriusXM and other radio outlets, click here. 

About ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer

ZERO- The End of Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer. ZER0 advances research, improves the lives of men and families, and inspires action. For more details visit, ZEROcancer.org.