Eta Nu Nu and the fight against Prostate Cancer
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For the fourth year in a row the men of the Eta Nu Nu chapter of the illustrious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. held in conjunction with Brave Men, Inc. and the 1911 Foundation one of its highly anticipated events titled MAN P.L.E.A.S.E. Check Yourself! In less than two years of its founding, the men of Eta Nu Nu believed it prudent to establish programs that addressed the health and wellbeing of those Black men who live, worship, work, fellowship and attend school in the Columbus Greater Metropolitan area. Every report that the men of Eta Nu Nu were able to get their hands on that featured the state of Black health in Franklin County showed that Black men are disproportionately impacted by this disease in Columbus, Ohio. The good news is if caught early carriers of the disease stand more than a good chance of beating it, hence the importance of programs like MAN P.L.E.A.S.E. Check Yourself!
Held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the elegant Boathouse at Confluence Park the turnout was impressive as more than 100 people registered for the event. Some brought guests. Registrants were greeted by the men of Omega as they trickled through the doors even before the program began at 8:00 am. Cloaked in royal purple polo shirts and khaki pants the men of Omega were easy to spot. Of course, there were some on-site registrants, but that process was without hassle as people moved quickly from the registration/check-in table to the main room where the testing and screenings and other activities occurred. Once inside attendees found there was plenty of food and drink. Breakfast consisted of an assortment of fruit, breakfast sandwiches, turkey patties, and a few bite size morsels.
The stations were set-up in a logical sequence making it easy for the men to follow. Each gentleman started by hoping on a scale and having his weight recorded. From there he was instructed to go from station to station until the process was complete. Numerous vendors were on hand to provide information and trinkets for folks to take home.
As an added bonus the men were encouraged to take advantage of the self-care professionals who were on tap to provide massages and conduct yoga sessions. After Jai of Green House Bodyworks provided her services at the chapter’s breast cancer event in February the entire shop showed up this time and contributed to the chapter’s mental health integrated portion of the program. The massage component was particularly dynamic in that the men were provided much needed body work done by professionals who were able to loosen up knots, stiffness, and stagnant range of motion in the head, neck, upper limbs, and back. At the same time, from the body workers’ perspective, it was a chance to put their skills to good use and for a good cause.
Kaya, a former nursing student and one of the body workers hired for the event, talked about how pleased she was to see the smiles on the faces of the men after a session with her. Of course, there was good reason to smile as her energetic hands, forearms and elbows brought relief if only temporary to the men who benefitted from her talent. Kaya is already looking to the future when she’ll have the opportunity to bring greater knowledge and enhanced techniques to the event next year.
At 10:00 am a panel of four took to the stage. Martin Brown, Brenda D. Spencer, George Koch, MD and Kevin Sweet, GC. Attendees received advice from medical professionals, and they heard from a cancer survivor in Martin Brown and a caregiver in the form of Brenda D. Spencer who shared a gripping story about her dad that resonated with many people in the audience. NBC4 anchor Cierra Johnson Barnes who moderated the panel asked the panelists great questions and kept the conversation moving. As usual the event was not without its sponsors as they included OSU’s The James, Zangmeister Cancer Center, ELB Philanthropy, Johnson & Johnson, the Columbus Chapter of ONS and Columbus Public Health, to name a few.
The day could not have turned out better as everyone seemed to enjoy themselves as many came away with a memorable and unprecedented experience. The mood was upbeat throughout the morning thanks to DJ Reesee. Luckily the downpour that occurred late morning started once everyone was comfortably inside and well into the program. Many of the attendees were surprised when they arrived and learned that a raffle would be held at the end of the program at which point attendees would have a chance to win an array of prizes ranging from restaurant gift cards to tickets to an OSU football game. Said Bart Ridgill, an engineer and OSU grad, “I really enjoyed and appreciated the event . . . it was great to go around to each of the stations and get bio-screenings, the flu vaccine and even a massage! I got expert advice based on the bio-screening results and a delicious breakfast! Definitely a wonderful event! I will be attending next year as well!” Willis Brown, a retired schoolteacher and president of the Bronzeville Neighborhood Association seemed to agree. After the program Brown wrote, “the prostate cancer health screening event today was great. It was informative and well organized, as expected with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at the helm. Looking forward to the next health and/or event in the near future.”
As cited earlier Man P.L.E.A.S.E. Check Yourself! is only in its fourth year and its promises to be bigger and better in the years to come.
En Español = In Spanish
Universitarios luchan contra el cáncer de próstata
de Judson L. Jeffries y Gaidi Nkruma
14 de septiembre de 2026
traducción: NS
Animados con la convicción por subsanar la inequidad atestiguada en todos los medios disponibles que los hombres negros sufren de forma desproporcional los estragos de cáncer de próstata, los miembros de la fraternidad universitaria Omega Psi Phi colaboraron con Hombres Valientes (BM) la Fundación 1911 en patrocinar, por el cuarto año consecutivo, el evento Hombre autoexplórate ¡Por Favor!
La detección temprana es clave en conservar programas de salud y bienestar de los negros que viven, rezan, laboran, colaboran y estudian en la zona metropolitana de Columbus. La buena noticia radica en como la detección anticipada permita curarse del mal.
Los templados integrantes de Eta Nu Un, sección columbuseña de OPP, atendieron a los más de cien registrados que congregaron el 12 de septiembre en el Parque de la Confluencia, también extendiendo una cálida bienvenida a unos tantos que no inscribieron con antelación y las personas acompañantes. Los y las invitados disfrutaron un desayuno de frutas, emparedados, chorizo de pavo y otras botanas.
Ataviados en camisas moradas y pantalón color olivo, condujeron de manera fluida a los invitados por la organización lógica y natural de las estaciones de pruebas, filtros y demás actividades. La primera estación registró el peso, y las siguientes atendieron sus respectivas responsabilidades. Servicios informativos y recuerdos se distribuyeron a lo largo del recorrido. Profesionistas ofrecían autocuidado de yoga y masaje. El último fue particularmente dinámico en aliviar los nudos, dureza y atrofia muscular en cabezas, cuellos, extremidades y espaldas. Los trabajadores corporales también se contentaron en la oportunidad de poner sus habilidades a la disposición de una causa noble.
Kaya, que estudió enfermería, reportó con alegría las sonrisas contentas que indujo en los señores que atendió, y con justa razón porque sus manos y brazos enérgicos apaciguaron, aunque fuera de modo temporal. En consecuencia, ella anticipa volver a participar el año que entra con mayores conocimientos y técnicas mejoradas.
Doctores George Koch y Kevin Sweet expusieron en una mesa redonda instalado a las 10 horas, acompañados con Martin Brown, un sobreviviente de cáncer y Brenda D. Spencer, que relató la historia impresionante de su padre que conmovió el público. Reportera del canal local de NBC Cierra Johnson Barnes moderó la mesa con preguntas intrigantes que dieron un espíritu animado.
Patrocinadores incluyeron el Hospital de Cáncer The James de la Universidad Estatal de Ohio (OSU), el Centro de Cáncer Zangmeister, la institución filantrópica ELB, la farmacéutica Johnson & Johnson, la sección columbuseña de la Sociedad de Enfermeros de Oncología (ONS), Salud Pública de Columbus (CPH).
El animador DJ Reesee llevó un compás alegre por toda la jornada, creando una experiencia memorable e inédita. Un chubasco no bajó con el ánimo, y menos cuando se corrió la voz que al final habrá una rifa con una variedad de premios, desde descuentos restauranteros hasta entradas a un partido de futbol universitario.
Bart Ridgill fue uno de los hombres que atendió: “La pasé de primera y quedé agradecido… —dijo el ingeniero titulado de la OSU— Estuvo muy bien pasar por las estaciones donde hicieron las biopsias, la vacuna contra influenza y ¡hasta un masaje! A partir de los estudios de laboratorio me aportaron consejos profesionales, además de un desayuno sabroso. Sin lugar as dudas un evento estupendo ¡y no dudan que regrese el año que entra!”
La respuesta que Willis Brown anotó fue en consonancia: “El evento de estudios de gabinete de cáncer de próstata estuvo buenísimo —opinó el profesor jubilado y presidente de la Asociación de Vecinos de Bronzeville—. Informaron con claridad y organizaron de manera eficiente, tal y como se esperaría de la Fraternidad Omega Psi Phi en el timón. Anticipo con gusto el siguiente evento de salud en el futro cercano.”
Reiteramos que este es el cuarto año consecutivo de Hombre autoexplórate ¡Por Favor! Los años venideros prometen mejorarse y expandirse.
(N de T: El evento es gratuito.)
