| Breaking news the Minneapolis Urban League has | | | | the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, Samuels |
| gain national attention for their upcoming 1st | | | | moved prostate cancer into the national spotlight. |
| Annual Minneapolis Urban League Prostate Cancer | | | | Samuels went on to lead advocacy efforts in |
| Awareness and Education Day on June 20, 2008. | | | | Florida, and is founder and chairman of the Florida |
| Stephanie Chisolm, PhD – Director of Patient | | | | Prostate Cancer Network (FPCN), one of the |
| Education with the American Urological Association | | | | most active state coalitions in the nation. |
| in Maryland says, “This is a great opportunity | | | | Prostate cancer is the No. 1 diagnosed cancer |
| for the AMA to engage with the Minneapolis | | | | (non-skin) and the No. 3 cause of cancer deaths in |
| Urban League and their Social Wellness Cluster | | | | Florida. Samuels works relentlessly to educate |
| that does such a great job in the Twin | | | | Floridians about the disease. |
| Cities.” Mr. Theodus Mitchell with the | | | | As a men’s health activist and organizer, |
| Center for Disease Control (CDC) says, “This | | | | Samuels is involved in numerous activities including: |
| is great and the CDC supports any efforts that | | | | • Founding Chairman of the National Prostate |
| the Minneapolis Urban League is involved in to | | | | Cancer Coalition |
| address health disparities in communities of | | | | • Founding Chairman of the Florida Prostate |
| color.” | | | | Cancer Network Inc. |
| Mr. James Hedley with the National Institute on | | | | • Former member National Cancer |
| Health says, “The NIH will supply information | | | | Institute’s (NCI) Prostate Cancer Progress |
| to the Minneapolis Urban League to assist them | | | | Review Group |
| with their efforts to address Prostate | | | | • Consultant, Food & Drug |
| Cancer.” | | | | Administration’s Oncology Drug Advisory |
| Yesterday, the original press releases posted on | | | | Committee (ODAC) |
| was viewed nationally by over 40,000 news | | | | • Former member NCI Consumer Advocates |
| organizations and individuals and continues to | | | | in Research & Related Activities (CARRA) |
| grow. The Tampa Tribune, (FL) and the St. Pete | | | | • Former patient representative to the |
| Times (FL), both want more information about | | | | Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) |
| the event feature their hometown favorite Mr. | | | | • Former Co-Chairman of The Florida Prostate |
| Bob Samuels. | | | | Cancer Task Force |
| This event is free and open to the public. For | | | | • Former Board Member of H. Lee Moffitt |
| more information go to or call 612-302-3100. | | | | Cancer Center & Research Institute |
| About Mr. Samuels: | | | | • Former Member of the U.S. Army’s |
| Mr. Bob Samuels, a dedicated community activist, | | | | Prostate Cancer Research Panel |
| Mr. Samuels is listed in “Who’s Who in | | | | Samuels has led numerous battles in the fight |
| Black America”. As one of the founders of | | | | against prostate cancer. As Founding Chairman of |
| the Harlem YMCA’s Black Achievers in | | | | the National Prostate Cancer Coalition he lobbied |
| Industry Program, he helped establish the United | | | | Congress repeatedly for increases in prostate |
| Negro College Fund’s Corporate Matching | | | | cancer research funding and was instrumental in |
| Gifts Program, and as a result of working with | | | | getting the State of Florida to recognize, as a |
| the United Negro College Fund, he was awarded | | | | matter of public policy, prostate cancer as serious |
| the “UNCF’s Outstanding Citizen’s | | | | diseases needing to be addressed at the state |
| Award.” Mr. Samuels was the founding | | | | level. During 2004, he was recognized by the |
| president of both the National Association of | | | | Florida Department of Health with their UNSUNG |
| Urban Bankers and the New York City Urban | | | | HERO’S Award. The State Department of |
| Bankers Coalition. In 1984, the National Association | | | | Health honored his leadership and contributions |
| of Urban Bankers honored him by renaming the | | | | toward getting stakeholders throughout the state |
| “Outstanding Banker of the Year Award” | | | | involved in approving the Florida Prostate Cancer |
| to the “Robert J. Samuels Founder’s | | | | Education Act. Samuels was instrumental in |
| Award”. In 1998 the Urban Bankers further | | | | obtaining a $1million DOD grant to establish joint |
| honored him by placing his likeness in the | | | | venture prostate cancer training and research |
| Baltimore Great Blacks in Wax Museum. In | | | | Institute at FAMU with Moffitt Cancer Center. |
| December of that year he was also inducted into | | | | Recent Awards and Recognition include: |
| the Black Hall of Fame in Philadelphia. | | | | • Tribute in 109th Congressional Record of |
| This event is open to the public and all men and | | | | the US House of Representatives |
| their families who want to know about Prostate | | | | • US Department of Health and Human |
| Cancer Awareness, Prevention and information | | | | Services “Minority Health Community |
| you need to know are invite to attend this | | | | Leadership Award” |
| exciting educational event. There will be food, | | | | • Prostate Net’s Award for Lifetime |
| beverages and informational hand-outs to help | | | | Excellence in Advocacy to Eliminate Health |
| you be well informed of your risks as it pertains | | | | Disparities |
| to Prostate Cancer. | | | | • Hillsborough County Commission – |
| | | | | Humanitarian Award |
| Samuels was diagnosed with prostate cancer at | | | | • Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio’s – |
| age 56 — in the prime of life — the cancer | | | | Outstanding Citizen’s Award |
| had advanced dangerously far. Samuels was | | | | • The Florida Legislature – Citizen’s |
| shocked to discover that as an African American, | | | | Recognition Award |
| he was at high risk for the disease. He was also | | | | • ONYX Magazine’s - Humanitarian Award |
| surprised that since he had an annual physical | | | | Mr. Samuels comes to Minneapolis courtesy of the |
| examination every year his physician had never | | | | Urban Financial Services Caolition that will hold their |
| discussed his risk for prostate cancer. Samuels | | | | annual conference in downtown Minneapolis June |
| had been a banker for 31 years in New York and | | | | 18-22 at the Hyatt for more information go to |
| he became one of the first Black Vice | | | | We ask that you join us on June 20, 2008 from |
| President’s of a major bank in the nation. | | | | 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. for this once in a lifetime |
| | | | | educational, information session and community |
| Today, with his cancer in remission, this retired | | | | health disparity awareness cause at the |
| banking executive has channeled the energy that | | | | Minneapolis Urban League, located at 2100 |
| made him so successful in his career into a new | | | | Plymouth Avenue North. For more information |
| role as one of prostate cancer’s most | | | | call (612) 302-3100. |
| aggressive advocates. As Founding Chairman of | | | | |