In recognition of Black History Month, the Atlanta Hawks and the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) are partnering again to battle prostate cancer and bring awareness to fans with the Black History Month Assist Challenge. Throughout the month of February, for every assist registered by the Hawks, the Hawks Foundation will donate $250 to PCF to help advance prostate cancer research.

“As an organization, we are proud to partner with the Prostate Cancer Foundation during Black History Month to bring awareness to a disease that affects so many men, specifically African-American men,” said Hawks’ Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Andrea Carter. “From our efforts we hope to raise funds to support PCF and their commitment to invest in the most promising research to improve prevention, detection, and treatment of prostate cancer and ultimately cure it for good.”

Last year, the Hawks and PCF, led by Hawks Vice Chair of the Board and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill and his father, NFL Legend Calvin Hill, launched the first-of-its-kind multi-pronged program to educate and bring awareness to the disease that affects more than four million men in the United States. With 295 assists in February 2019, the eighth-most in the NBA, the team raised $73,750 from the Hawks Foundation. Hawks owners Tony Ressler, Jami Gertz and the Ressler family matched the team and contributed $76,250 to reach a total of $150,000.

“We are thrilled and honored that the Atlanta Hawks have joined our efforts in reaching out to save men’s lives,” said Prostate Cancer Foundation CEO Jonathan W. Simons, MD. “There remains a need for greater dialogue about the disparity of cancer rates in African American men. During Black History Month, the Hawks will help us raise funds and bring awareness of the facts regarding prostate cancer, and what men need to do to know their risks and numbers.”

According to PCF, one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but African American men are 76 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men and more than twice as likely to die from the disease. Overall, minorities are less likely to discuss prostate cancer screenings with their doctors as only two in five men have been screened for the illness. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer killer of African American men, but when caught and treated early, the five-year survival rate is higher than 99 percent.

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