OneInSix.org > About the OneInSix Foundation
About the OneInSix Foundation
After being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in December of 2004, J. Bruce Hunsicker (Bruce), a 50-year-old attorney from Akron, Ohio, began a quest for the proper treatment. The first part of this pursuit was educating himself about the disease. The cancer had spread beyond the prostate. It seemed impossible but surgery was not an option; yet after visiting several surgeons, he began to accept the fact that surgery would not extend his life or stop the cancer. In addition, he realized, after extensive research and further consultations, the more conservative and conventional forms of treatment (such as hormone therapy or radiation seeds) would not be acceptable. Bruce decided on a course of treatment that combines conventional hormone therapy, additional hormone treatments and chemotherapy.
Thus began Bruce Hunsicker’s odyssey to find a cure for metastatic prostate cancer. As with any journey, there were many complications and stops along the way, and the entire process included a thorough education about the disease. One reoccurring theme in this search was the lack of awareness about the risks and the seriousness of prostate cancer. A second theme was how far behind prostate cancer research is in respect to treatment and finding a cure. This quest for a cure eventually brought Bruce to the doorstep of Dr. Samuel Denmeade, an associate professor of oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Denmeade is one of several leading scientists at Johns Hopkins who are making promising discoveries in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Dr. Denmeade's knowledge and research inspired Bruce in his pursuit of serving some greater purpose, some way of giving meaning to his enduring cancer. Bruce believes he can use his energy and influence to raise the funds that will result in ultimately curing prostate cancer. In the meantime, he wants to educate men and women about prostate cancer so others will not have to suffer his fate.
It is for these reasons Bruce created the One-in-Six Foundation. The One-in-Six Foundation is so-named because one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death among men. Yet most Americans do not realize the severity and danger of prostate cancer. Early prostate cancer rarely has noticeable symptoms, and yet it can be detected by a simple blood test called a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test. Most women know how essential it is to have a base-line mammogram at 40, but very few men even know about PSA screenings. The One-in-Six Foundation has three primary goals: 1) fund Dr. Denmeade's research and find a cure for prostate cancer; 2) educate men and women about prostate cancer, in particular about PSA blood tests; 3) enable men to get free PSA tests.
To that end, The One-In-Six Foundation is raising funds, with the goal of raising one million dollars over the next two years. The kick-off event for the One-in-Six Foundation began just before Father's Day 2005 with the aid of Akron-area businesses and organizations, including Acme Grocery Stores, the Brother to Brother Project, and ST&P Communications. The pharmacies at the Akron-area Acme stores sold blue ribbon lapel pins and blue wrist bands in the months of June and July. Individuals who purchased the lapel pins for $5.00 or the wrist bands for $1.00 received a coupon for a free PSA blood test at any Akron-area LabCare through the end of July. The One-in-Six Foundation is seeking to go nationwide in both its fund-raising efforts and its educational endeavors.
Due to the expense of purchasing the bands, and so that One-in-Six might make more money for prostate cancer research, the bands are now up to $2.00 each. One-in-Six is currently looking for someone who will underwrite the cost of the bands.
If you are interested in making a donation, please use our secure online donation form or contact the The One-In-Six Foundation.
If you would like to purchase a blue ribbon lapel pin for $5.00 or a blue wrist band for $2.00, contact The One-in-Six Foundation.
If you are seeking information about prostate cancer, check this site for further information and links.
If you are interested in making a corporate contribution or participating in any fundraising efforts, contact The One-in-Six Foundation via this website.
Join J. Bruce Hunsicker in his effort to raise $1,000,000 and turn the statistic of one in six to none in six.
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