The Prostate Cancer Awareness Alliance of Northeast Pa. (PCAA of NEPA) can trace its origin to the year 2000, when its founder, Kevin McDonough, discovered that he had an elevated PSA level. Motivated by a desire to learn more about prostate health, he embarked with a passion to raise the level of awareness of prostate cancer and its detection and treatment. Ultimately, he hoped that by raising awareness, the morbidity and mortality from prostate cancer could be decreased through early detection and treatment. One of Kevin’s primary motivating factors was his knowledge of other crusades against other forms of cancer that had well-established awareness programs and fundraising efforts, compared to the less robust campaigns against prostate cancer. He also had questions on so many levels as to the nature of his own elevated PSA level—was prostate cancer inevitable? And if so, what treatments would be available to him and what were the effects from the treatment? There was so much that he didn’t know about prostate cancer detection and treatment, and he sensed that there were many others just like him.

To support his efforts, Kevin sought out other individuals in the community who would assist him in his quest and formed a fledgling group called the PCT, which was the predecessor to the PCAA of Northeast Pa. The group decided upon a signature annual golf tournament called the PCT Fall Classic as the primary fundraising effort. The inaugural event was held September 23, 2001 at Huntsville Golf Club in Shavertown, Pa. What better forum was there than a golf tournament to bring men together to educate them about prostate cancer. The golf outing would be fun, for sure, but what golfer would ever expect to be provided the opportunity have their PSA level checked at the actual tournament. Notably, a number of golf participants who have taken advantage of the PSA testing were ultimately diagnosed with prostate cancer as a result, including PCAA Vice-Chairman Bob Breslin, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 44.

One of the more exciting memories from the first tournament was the encouragement we received from legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, who had taped a short inspirational video clip for us. Another compelling moment during one of the early tournaments was when the teenage daughter of one of our board members, Brian Beppler, spoke of her families’ emotional roller coaster as they came to grips with her dad’s diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from prostate cancer. There was not a dry eye in the house. Over the years we have been honored with many influential honorary chairpersons for the golf tournament, including Harold “Andy” Anderson, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Hospital, Bill Reed, Executive Vice President and COO of BCNEPA, and Andy Jarbola and Dave Lupas, District Attorneys in Lackawanna and Luzerne County, respectively.

Since its inception, the activities of the organization have been guided by its mission statement, namely dedicated to raising the level of awareness of prostate cancer,so as to achieve more successful outcomes through early detection and treatment. Notably, 100% of all monies raised have been earmarked for Prostate Cancer Awareness on a local level, and we remain committed to devoting our time and resources to the local community. Some of our more notable accomplishments have been to distribute comprehensive information packets to newly-diagnosed prostate cancer patients through the combined efforts of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute and the Moses Taylor Hospital Community Library. We have also sponsored several community panel lectures, whereby an expert panel physicians and other providers, along with prostate cancer survivors, present a series of discussions followed by a very informative Q& A session with the audience. We have also had several promotional events at the Lackawanna County Baseball Stadium. In 2009, we are introducing an inaugural Father’s Day run to promote prostate cancer awareness. Collectively, because of our demonstrated commitment to promoting prostate cancer awareness, we have recently been accorded status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization by the IRS under our new official name of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Alliance of Northeast Pa.