nitro, fiberglass, lacquer and onearrive at the diagnostic trailer. She shot lettering enamels. So enough So for the first three years waits as I get my blood test, and I background. Trust me -- I am the of the Cruisin’ For A Cure show, exit the trailer with her telling me prototypical guy car. every time I see Debbie the first now we will both feel better. I am words out her mouth are “Did you still thinking what a waste of time. One of the newer car get your PSA blood test?” I blow I am quickly deposited back to my shows I really enjoy is the Cruisin’ her off every year with a “Leave me car and she is off like a bat outta For A Cure show. Cool show, great alone -- I‘m young and healthy,” the bad place to grab some other organization, lots unsuspecting postof cars -- over 2,000 40 male. -- and all done and over in one day. What drives Recently it has this lady to organize been held at the Orange County and “I want to go check out that this event, using hundreds of Fairgrounds, which provides chopped Merc!” After three years hours of her personal time to pull plenty of room for display and of avoiding the test, she tracks this thing together? It’s personal cruising. It is one of the few shows me down like a guy looking for for her -- very. Her husband Jim is that encourage hot rodders to a number-matching manifold on a prostate cancer survivor. He is a drive their cars -- through the a 409. It’s year four, the show is great guy and doing well, but went show! The fact that the event bigger than ever, and this time through the hell getting answers supports a great cause was cool, Debbie is not taking any brush-off and treatment. The answer is that but didn’t concern me -- at first. crap answer from me. She comes PC is very treatable in early stages, up, grabs me by the arm and but if you wait or ignore it, you’ll You see, the cure they are commands “Come with me. We be in trouble bigtime. She is a Lady cruisin’ for is a cure for prostate On A Mission and it’s cancer. It is the #2 killer of men clear to me, and anybody behind heart disease, and last year else that comes in contact The goals of the Cruisin’ For A alone they raised $207,500.00 for with her, that if it were up Cure show are simple: the cause. to her, there wouldn’t be another death -- ever -1. Raise funds for prostate cancer research. ALL the money raised goes to UCLA Cancer Besides all the cool cars, due to PC. Center. food and entertainment, Debbie has arranged for physicians and 2. Educate men and their families about the phlebotomists (technicians that So I enjoy the rest of my danger of prostate cancer. draw blood) from UCLA to be day checking out the cars, 3. Provide FREE PSA screening tests for on-site along with the Drive racing kids on the Hot men over 45 years of age. Against Prostate Cancer van from Wheels track and settle Washington, D.C. The doctors back into my normal little donate their time and the van is life. Until… funded by the Prostate Cancer Coalition. You can choose the are getting your blood test NOW!” Two weeks later, I get this level of test you are comfortable She pushes me into her golf cart strange envelope in the mail from with -- a blood screening with or and covers the fairgrounds in less some medical testing company. without a physical exam. The PSA time than it would take John Force. Oh yeah, no biggie -- it’s just the blood test is simple, as they draw a The whole time I am popping off results from my blood test at the small amount of blood and check sarcastic remarks like “I hope this Cruisin’ For A Cure show. I tear for prostate-specific antigens, an makes you feel better ‘cause there through and then my eyes stop on early indicator of prostate cancer. isn’t anything wrong with me.” We the large printed numbers: 5.6%
“Leave me alone -- I‘m young and healthy,”
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