Washington, D.C., March 7, 2022 – ZERO – The End of Prostate Cancer and the Prostate Cancer Foundation are proud to join forces in presenting the ZERO/PCF Young Investigator Award to Eliminate Health Disparities. Both organizations are contributing $150,000 for a combined $300,000 grant over three years toward career and project support for a young, proven investigator with an interest in prostate cancer research and a strong focus on eliminating health disparities.
This award will target health disparities in prostate cancer to help eliminate the differences that exist across the prostate cancer continuum, including prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care.
One of the most significant disparities in prostate cancer is that Black men with prostate cancer continue to face disproportionate diagnosis and mortality rates in comparison to their white counterparts. They are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men, and more than twice as likely to die from the disease. The goal of this grant is to empower young researchers to combat these statistics.
Other disparities include economics, education, and zip codes such as care received in urban and rural America.
“We can’t end prostate cancer without eliminating disparities in prostate cancer care,” Jamie Bearse, ZERO’s CEO and President said. “Not only does this joint award help but ideally it will go to a scientist who has a diverse background; increasing diversity and inclusion in the prostate cancer research field.”
The ZERO/PCF Young Investigator Award to Eliminate Health Disparities is intended to encourage researchers to establish partnerships with community members, patients, and/or advocacy groups in order to identify solutions that reduce disparities and work toward achieving health equity. This includes helping the prostate cancer research community move beyond merely describing prostate cancer disparities, but to support research that explicates or intervenes on the modifiable factors that create the disparities.
“Both ZERO and the Prostate Cancer Foundation are committed to encouraging research toward achieving health equity,” said Dr. Charles Ryan, PCF’s President and CEO. “This award is another step toward addressing these urgent issues.”
The deadline for this year’s application is April 18, 2022 and the recipient will be announced at PCF’s Scientific Retreat this fall. For more information about the Young Investigator Award to Eliminate Health Disparities, please visit www.pcf.org/young-investigator-awards.
About the Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993 by Mike Milken, PCF has been responsible for raising close to $1 billion in support of cutting-edge research by more than 2,200 research projects at 245 leading cancer centers in 28 countries around the world. Since PCF’s inception, and through its efforts, patients around the world are living longer, suffering fewer complications, and enjoying better quality of life. PCF is committed to creating a global public square for prostate cancer, in service to our mission of ending death and suffering from the disease. Learn more at pcf.org.
About ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer
ZERO — The End of Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer. ZERO advances research, improves the lives of men and families, and inspires action. We’re building Generation ZERO, the first generation of men free from prostate cancer, through our national run/walk series, education and patient support programs, and grassroots advocacy. ZERO is a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization recognized with four out of four stars by Charity Navigator, accredited by the Better Business Bureau, with regional chapters across the country. We dedicate 85 cents of every dollar to research and programs. For more information, visit www.zerocancer.org.