KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Blog By John Holt
Tough night for me at Kauffman Stadium. Zach Greinke’s return to Kauffman as a Brewer, the buzz about his impending free-agency, and a chance for me to be on the field pre-game for batting practice. Oh, and did I mention I’m a die-hard Royals fan?
Tough night. But not for those reasons! Tough night, because I was at The K for one reason, and one reason only!
The Royals, and Major League Baseball, have a partnership with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and my old Fox 4 buddy Toby Cook-now a Royals VP of Community Relations, and Ben Aken, the team’s Senior Director of Community Relations, invited me to help make the pitch for early detection. And the timing couldn’t have been more meaningful for me.
Two years ago, June 7, 2010, I underwent prostate cancer surgery. I’d caught it early (thanks to a knowledge of my family history and a great primary care physician who made sure I had a PSA blood test), so the prognosis was great. My surgeon, Dr. Brant Thrasher at the University of Kansas Hospital, performed the surgery, and I spent that Father’s Day at home recuperating.
This Father’s Day, I’m alive and well and back to work, thanks to early detection and great care. And that was my message at The K. I taped an interview with Royals Live pre-game host Joel Goldberg (set to air on Father’s Day before the Royals take on St. Louis), and did a live pre-game on-field interview with Toby before the first pitch.
It was a great way for me to spread the message of early detection, and the importance of men having regular check-ups and the PSA test to at least know where they stand.
Baseball’s partnership in support of early detection and prostate cancer research (through its Home Run Challenge and All Star 5K among others) is a terrific forum for spreading that message.
My thanks to MLB and the Royals for allowing me to help.
Tough night? Only because I couldn’t stay for the game. Had to get back to “work for you” on Fox 4 News at 9! But it proved to be a gem, as the Royals prevailed. Plus, I got to help spread the word on early detection and men’s health.
So I guess it wasn’t such a tough night, after all!
To help fight prostate, breast, and children’s cancers, join Al Wallace, Karli Ritter, and me on the “Fox 4 Fightn’ Cancer” All-Star 5K Team. Use the promo code FOX4 to save $5 on your registration! See you in downtown KC on July 8th!
Click here for more information about joining our team!