The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s fourth annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Night with the Detroit Tigers and McLaren Health Care, the official health care system of the Tigers, was a home run on Monday, July 8. Hundreds of prostate cancer survivors and their loved ones were brought together under the lights of Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers beat their division rival, the Cleveland Guardians.
This awareness game also provided crucial information on early detection, highlighted the importance of screenings and raised funds for prostate cancer research at Karmanos through a Prostate Cancer Awareness Night special ticket package.
Bat Delivery
Every year, before the Prostate Cancer Awareness Night, Karmanos, McLaren and the Tigers gift several prostate cancer patients special blue baseball bats to commemorate the event. This year, Elisabeth Heath, M.D., FACP, gifted two of her patients, Chris Beresford and Joseph Burton, a bat at the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit; Jessie Todd was given a bat at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center by Hesham Gayar, M.D.; Larry Weaver received a bat from Faheem Ahmad, M.D., on his last day of treatment at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at The Toledo Clinic Cancer Center; and John Whitelaw was given a bat by Frank Cackowski, M.D., Ph.D., in Detroit.
View photos of the bat deliveries on our Facebook page.
Tigers Batting Practice
Before the game, a select number of survivors and their guests were invited to watch batting practice on the field. While there, they got the opportunity to meet a few Tigers players and Tigers broadcasters, Dan Dickerson and Jason Benetti. The play-by-play broadcasters for the Detroit Tigers chatted with the survivors, answered questions and took photos.
Sharing His Story on the Air
Beresford not only received a special blue bat from his oncologist, but he also got to tell his story to Daniella Bruce during the pre-game show on WXYT 97.1 FM’s The Ticket. The show is broadcasted in Southeast Michigan and on regional stations throughout Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.
In a way, Beresford believes his relationship with is primary care doctor saved his life. He and his doctor were playing squash, but he couldn’t play as many games as he usually does. He thought he had pulled a muscle in his chest, but his doctor sent him for scans. He had pulmonary embolisms and they noticed from his blood work that he had a very high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.
He first had brachytherapy and radiation therapy. Beresford’s PSA came down, but eventually, it rose again. That’s when they learned that his prostate cancer had spread to a lymph node and his rib. So, he did hormone therapy and more radiation therapy. Everything was good for about another eight months, but his PSA level went back up. In 2023, his urologist referred him to Dr. Heath at Karmanos where he learned he was an ideal candidate for a clinical trial. Beresford has been on the clinical trial for about a year and he said his recent scans have shown success. Listen to his interview below.
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Karmanos Starting 9
The night featured a diverse group of survivors, many of whom had been treated at different locations across the Karmanos Cancer Network, including the Karmanos Starting 9. Here were the starting prostate cancer survivors listed in alphabetical order by last name, including the location they received treatment:
- Everett Davis – 1-year survivor – McLaren Proton Therapy Center, Flint
- Bill Fegel – 8-month survivor – McLaren Proton Therapy Center, Flint
- David Gehring – 1.5-year survivor – McLaren Proton Therapy Center, Flint
- Keith Hilton – 20-year survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Michael O’Brien – 10-year survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Arthur Orme – 1-year survivor – McLaren Proton Therapy Center, Flint
- Chuck St. Louis – 4-year survivor – Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit
- Jessie Todd – 8-month survivor – McLaren Proton Therapy Center, Flint
- Patrick Yambrick – 2-year survivor – McLaren Proton Therapy Center, Flint
Patrick Yambrick was diagnosed in December of 2021. He believes the care he received helped bring his PSA all the way down to 0.014.
“The treatments I received at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center were excellent,” Yambrick said. “I would highly recommend all the professional and caring people who helped me.”
Chuck St. Louis was diagnosed at the age of 62 with stage IV prostate cancer. After receiving radiation therapy treatment with Matthew Johnson, M.D., radiation oncologist at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Port Huron, and surgery in Port Huron, he began seeing Dr. Heath, at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit.
“I am doing great, living life to the fullest thanks to the excellent care at Karmanos,” St. Louis said. “Thanks so much!”
Ceremonial First Pitch
Robert Hopkins, a two-year prostate cancer survivor, was selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. Hopkins was diagnosed in 2022 when he learned that he had elevated PSA levels. He was shocked to hear the diagnosis, as he had no symptoms. He is doing very well now, and his PSA levels are down to 0.07 after receiving care lead by Tolutope Oyasiji, M.D., MRCSI, MHSA, FACS, at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint. Robert advocates for men to get screened for prostate cancer, regardless of if they’re experiencing symptoms or not.
Game Ball Delivery
Suneel Sekhri got to deliver the game ball to the pitcher’s mound. A 24-year prostate cancer survivor, Sekhri was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000 at 45 years old. After receiving his diagnosis, his perspectives changed, and he began a new chapter of his life. He has had every aspect of his treatment done with his care team at Karmanos in Detroit and continues his care with the team today. Suneel wants to remind men that finding prostate cancer in an early stage means it has a higher chance of being cured.
National Anthem
Brian and Bruce Ake, twin brothers, joined Karmanos and McLaren again this year to perform a duet of the Star Spangled Banner prior to the game. Brian, a four-year prostate cancer survivor, was diagnosed on August 1, 2019. After active surveillance and two biopsies, Brian decided on radiation treatment through with Dr. Johnson in Port Huron. He had 28 treatments. Brian had a PSA blood test on March 22, 2024, and his PSA has never been lower.
“I cannot say enough good words to describe the people at Karmanos in Port Huron. They were all exceptionally cordial and thorough. Since my treatment in 2021, I have been going to Karmanos and Dr. Johnson every six months for checkups and I ask to see the treatment staff who work the radiation equipment after each visit,” Ake said.
Ring That Bell
Just before the game began, Garry Alderman, a two-year cancer survivor, had the opportunity to ring the bell to signify the end of his hormone therapy treatments. Alderman received care from Dr. Cackowski for drug therapy treatments and Nitin Vaishampayan, M.D., for radiation therapy. Knowing that Karmanos Cancer Institute only treats cancer, Alderman’s wife insisted Karmanos was where he should go to get the leading edge of treatment. Alderman and his wife have been extremely happy with the level of care and dedication that Karmanos Cancer Institute provides.
In-stand Recognitions
During the game, three prostate cancer survivors shared their stories with the crowd and received a recognition that was shown on the video board. Dwight Hergert (left), treated in Detroit, Norman Jahn (center), treated at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey, and David Harris (right), treated at Karmanos Cancer Institute at Weisberg Cancer Center in Farmington Hills, were the three survivors honored.
Nominated by Kevin Ginsburg, M.D., MS, Harris was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022 at 51 years old. Like many men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, Harris did not experience symptoms and was referred to Karmanos when he discovered he had an elevated PSA. Harris’ message to men diagnosed with prostate cancer is that it is not a death sentence. He encourages men to go to the doctor and get a PSA blood test so they catch it early.
Honorary Grounds Crew Member
Arnold D’Ambrosio, a two-year prostate cancer survivor, was the honorary grounds crew member. He got the chance to replace third base at the end of the fifth inning. He was not only celebrating his survivorship at the Prostate Cancer Awareness Night game, but he was also celebrating his 60th birthday.
Diagnosed in 2022, D’Ambrosio was confident that he would survive, but he was nervous about the lifestyle changes prostate cancer can bring. He said his regular and routine doctor’s visits, including PSA blood tests, are what saved him. He and his doctor were monitoring his elevated PSA levels, though he had no symptoms of the disease. D’Ambrosio successfully completed High-Intensity Ultrasound Therapy. Now the Chief Development Officer at Karmanos Cancer Institute, D’Ambrosio continues his care at the center in Detroit. He also works to raise money for prostate cancer research at Karmanos.
He has a message to other men: a PSA check every year is important because it can save your life as it did his. D’Ambrosio was able to walk his daughter down the aisle at the end of June thanks to his dedication to his health and lifestyle. He also tells men to make sure not to skip doctor’s appointments and to even be open with their partner about their health.
Fun and Games
During the middle of the third inning, Drs. Ginsburg and Heath played a game of cornhole.
During the middle of the sixth inning, Maurice Dandridge, a six-year prostate cancer survivor, participated in the Cap Shuffle game on the video board.
Another prostate cancer survivor honored during the game was Bruce Baker, a 20-year prostate cancer survivor and patient of Dr. Heath.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Second to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, affecting roughly one in eight during their lifetime. Just behind lung cancer, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men.
“Most men diagnosed do not die – only 1 in 41 die from prostate cancer. This disease is most curable in its early stages, so I encourage those with a prostate to screen for this cancer and pay attention to the symptoms so we can treat it as early as possible,” urged Dr. Heath, who is a medical oncologist, leader of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and the Hartman Endowed Chair for Prostate Cancer Research at Karmanos.
Karmanos, McLaren and the Detroit Tigers suggest that men talk with a health care provider about the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening through a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test or a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). Men should consider prostate screening at age 50 (age 45 for African Americans) if they are at average risk for prostate cancer. Those at higher risk may start screening at an earlier age. Visit karmanos.org/prostatefacts for more information.
At Karmanos, the Genitourinary Oncology MDT includes surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, plastic surgeons, pharmacists, specialized nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, and genetic counselors. The team specializes in treating genitourinary cancers, including prostate cancer. Members share their expertise to create a customized treatment plan for each patient.
If you or someone you love is diagnosed with prostate cancer, it’s essential to consult an oncologist or surgeon dedicated to researching and treating prostate cancer. Call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or request an appointment here.