Dear Friends and Supporters,

We appreciate the sacrifice you make to support our cause. This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone: bad economy, job losses, environmental disasters, and most important to all of us – increased incidence rates of testicular cancer. More cases are diagnosed each year … 5 percent of those diagnosed, die.

Our mission to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment continues to grow more urgent. Testicular cancer was thought to disproportionately affect men under 40 years of age. We’ve had great success increasing awareness among younger men, but new research teaches us men over 40 have almost the same risk to be diagnosed with this disease. Men are less likely to visit a doctor and, if they’re having a “problem”, consider many other health issues before they think testicular cancer - with the result of a delayed accurate diagnosis and increased mortality risk … research says men over 40 diagnosed with TC are twice as likely to die. SKTCF needs to reach men over 40.

We successfully reach young men, and must continue to raise their awareness with new and innovative programs. Schools are the perfect place for testicular cancer awareness campaigns. Health classes and gyms can reinforce monthly messages. Pre-sports exams could be required to include a testicular examination. SKTCF needs to reach educators and coaches.

Caucasians and Hispanics who have TC have the same chance of dying from the disease … BUT, for those Hispanics who have the disease the mortality rate is 60% higher than … not because of genetic variances but because of lack of awareness and early diagnosis and treatment. SKTCF needs to reach Hispanic populations.

Doctors tell us testicular cancer is NOT one of the earliest diseases they think of, when men discuss their “problems”. SKTCF needs to reach health providers, make them more aware of the disease, help them open dialogues with patients, and be more sensitive to who is at risk.

YOUR partnership is needed to accomplish our vision “where no man dies from this disease”. We know what to do, how to do it, and have an aggressive agenda in place … but not the resources to accomplish all our goals. Needs are greater than ever before. Please give generously. We know things are hard … If you can’t write one check, please consider a monthly recurring donation … we’ll bill your credit card monthly, you’ll save a life. Thank you

Please click here to make a donation today.

Sincerely,