From Ralph Valle

The main objective of this effort is to get the Arizona US TOO chapters to communicate and network with each other. Why is networking important to us? As survivors or newly diagnosed members of our Arizona chapters, we have a common interest in the disease. Participation would help us individually in coping with the disease and at the same time benefit PCa advocacy by the creation of a core group of advocates to promote awareness in the general population. United we can help each other in numerous ways.

We try to do this through an AZ US TOO organization called Prostate Community Action In Arizona (PCAinAZ) and the website at:

http://www.pcainaz.org

And a bulletin board at:

http://www.pcainaz.org/phpBB304 

Our vision is to provide a basic education about prostate cancer early in the life of male Arizona residents. This is done to improve their understanding of the risk of prostate cancer as they age and to promote the advantage of early detection through testing with PSA and DRE. It sounds like a modest goal and very attainable, but the State of Arizona  is not providing the necessary funds to make it possible.

How to improve networking among  Arizona's chapters?

We believe that creating a communications volunteer position within each US TOO Chapter is an important step to create a liaison among Arizona Chapters. That person, man or woman or a team of volunteers is the way to get each group involved in the networking process.. That person will be responsible to integrate their chapter with the PCAinAZ website and Bulletin Board. There is an urgent need to start this process to facilitate this initial networking effort. 

This will benefit all of us as we combine our efforts in providing information, helping members to cope and to provide a united front in advocacy. United like this we will be a more influential institution in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Health follows the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations for screening prostate cancer. They do not recommend screening. This and other issues are important to our members

There is a chat room facility at www.pcainaz.org and meetings with all chapters will be scheduled to promote our objective in PCa awareness and networking. In time experts guest speakers will participate in scheduled chats to the benefit of all Arizona Chapters

The bulletin board's link can be found at the Main Menu on this page: click on Bulletin Board or go to pcainaz.org/phpBB304

You can read most Forums there without registration. To have access to all Forums or post a message requires registration at that site. The registration link is at the upper right  side on the Bulletin Board's Index page. This registration must be approved by the site's administration. See you there!

Please register and participate.

Rex Zeiger. Facilitator, Sun City Chapter

Ralph Valle. Facilitator, St. Joe's Chapter, AZ US TOO Chapter at the Foothills