STATEN ISLAND, NY — Richmond University Medical Center brought star power to its prostate cancer awareness efforts when former major league pitcher Jason Marquis joined a community screening event last month.
The Staten Island native appeared at the Sept. 30 event held at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island. The hospital partnered with Fans for the Cure, a nonprofit organization focused on prostate cancer education, to offer free screenings during National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Attendees received education about early detection and treatment options while speaking directly with urologists and medical professionals from RUMC. The event also provided complimentary prostate cancer screenings, with samples analyzed by the hospital at no cost to participants.
“Prostate cancer is silent,” said Dr. Richard Maggio, a board-certified urologist at RUMC. “Screening gives it a voice before it’s too late.”
The disease represents a significant health threat for American men. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the United States after skin cancer. An estimated 314,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year, with close to 36,000 deaths expected from the disease.
Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. Courtesy RUMC
PSA testing, which measures prostate-specific antigen levels through a simple blood test, offers the most effective method for annual prostate cancer screening.
Marquis brought considerable baseball credentials to the awareness event. The Tottenville High School graduate achieved early fame at age 12 by pitching a no-hitter in the Little League World Series. He became one of the few players to compete in both the Little League World Series and MLB World Series during his professional career.
After beginning his major league career with the Atlanta Braves in 2000, Marquis found success with the St. Louis Cardinals, posting a 15-7 record in 2004 and starting a World Series game. He won 11 or more games for six consecutive seasons through 2009 and earned selection to the National League All-Star Team in 2009 while playing for the Colorado Rockies.
“Fans for the Cure is so grateful to have the support of Richmond University Medical Center,” said Ed Randall, the organization’s founder and chief advocacy officer. “Early detection is the heartbeat of our mission. RUMC’s belief in it — both through its generosity and its encouragement — helps make screening events like these possible.”
Fans for the Cure has organized medical, educational, and awareness programs focused on prostate cancer since 2003.
Richmond University Medical Center serves Staten Island’s diverse community as a not-for-profit healthcare provider offering emergency, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services.
This community news was shared by the organization featured. AI was used in an initial story draft and has been reviewed by Advance/SILive.com staff.
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