From The Macon Beer Fest – The Macon Beer Fest once again proved to be a stellar testament to the convergence of community vibrancy and health advocacy, breaking a national record by conducting prostate cancer screenings for 147 men during the recent event. Held in historic downtown Macon, the festival continues to hold its reputation as one of the top craft beer and wine events in Georgia, thanks to the Rotary Club of Downtown Macon.
This year the Macon Beer Fest broke a national record for testing the most men at a single Pints for Prostates event. 147 men were screened for free at the event, with or without a ticket purchase, demonstrated a value of $102,900, a remarkable accomplishment acknowledged on a national level.
On an annual basis Pints for Prostates appears at dozens of events across the United States. These include beer festivals and gatherings at bars and breweries. The Macon Beer Fest has been a partner with Pints for Prostates for 13 years.
Pints for Prostates Founder, Rick Lyke, stated “Many people ignore the advice to get regular physical exams. Most people believe prostate cancer is “an old man’s disease” and it won’t happen to them. The reality is men, transgender women, and non-binary people assigned male at birth, should talk to their doctor about getting a baseline prostate cancer screening when they reach 40 years old, or at 35 years old if they have a family history of the disease or a part of a high-risk group, such as African Americans.
Pints for Prostates works to start conversations about their health in a relaxed and non-threatening way. By having some fun with a topic people would rather avoid, we are able to reach a population who might otherwise ignore traditional health messages. The Macon Beer Fest does a wonderful job of educating their community about Prostate Cancer and providing screenings at a “Health Fair Disguised as a Beer Festival.”
Through another Pints for Prostates partner, the Prostate Conditions Education Council, the Macon Beer Fest offers a free $700 blood test covering multiple health indicators that include PSA, Testosterone, Cholesterol, HDL,LDL, Triglycerides and Glucose levels. The Prostate Condition Education Council provides the testing kits as well as screening the samples and sending lab results to each participant by mail. The Prostate Conditions Education Council is a national organization committed to men’s health, PCEC is the nation’s leading resource for information on prostate health. The Council – composed of a consortium of leading physicians, health educators, scientists and prostate cancer advocates – aims to conduct nationwide screenings for men and perform research that will aid in the detection and treatment of prostate conditions.
J. Renee Savickas, Vice President and Director of Early Detection and Awareness Programs, states, “The Rotary Club of Downtown Macon is just the type of organization we like to partner with. Their Macon Beer Fest knows the importance of our mission and they do an outstanding job of bringing volunteers together to get men screened. Each year they pursue more and more men to get tested. The commitment from the Macon/Bibb Health Department and the local phlebotomists is to be commended. We couldn’t do all these screenings without them.”
“Regular PSA screening plays a crucial role in safeguarding men’s health, enabling timely detection and intervention for potential prostate concerns. Proactive monitoring is key to ensuring a healthier and more resilient community. It’s important to recognize that behind every successful PSA screening lies a dedicated community of clinical volunteers, organizers, and regular citizens, all united in their commitment to fostering a culture of proactive healthcare. Their collective efforts pave the way for a stronger, more resilient community, empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being.” – Chris Tsavatewa, Chair, Macon Bibb Board of Health.
Steve Bell, the Festival Organizer and a member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Macon, initiated the event in 2009 with the mission of making a positive impact in his community, driven by his own battle with Prostate Cancer at the age of 42. Engaging with newly diagnosed Prostate Cancer patients at the festival, Bell shares his personal journey, offers insights, and serves as a beacon of hope as a 14-year survivor. He takes joy in connecting with these individuals, aiming to provide support and encouragement amidst their diagnosis.
Expressing his deep affection for the event, Bell emphasizes the collaborative effort involving hundreds of volunteers coming together to orchestrate the festival. While the event seamlessly combines elements of music, arts, crafts, food vendors, and libations, Bell underscores that the primary goal is to create an environment where men feel comfortable accessing essential health screenings. He humorously notes that while the beer does not influence the screenings, it does help grease the wheel, encouraging men to undergo screening, often nudged by peer pressure from their male friends, girlfriends, or wives.
Describing the festival as a disguised yet effective men-centric health fair, Bell highlights their unique approach, successfully reaching out to men and breaking down barriers to prioritize their health. “We’ve discovered a winning formula for engaging men in this crucial conversation,” Bell concluded.
Central Georgia Cancer care is the main sponsor of the event. For over four decades, their physicians have laid the groundwork for cancer care advances through clinical trial participation and networking with research hospitals across the country to ensure each and every patient gets the most innovative, effective care. They are one of the few Georgia Oncology practices to be selected as a national Oncology Care Model practice, shaping cancer care for the future.
If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your cancer care team like the Central Georgia Cancer Center or urologist will discuss your treatment options with you. It’s important to think about the benefits of each treatment option based on the advancement of your cancer, age, and compare the possible risks and side effects.
The festival’s success is a testament to the collective efforts of volunteers, sponsors, and the community, showing a strong commitment to driving conversations on health education and advocating for proactive screenings.
The Macon Beer Fest stands as a model for merging community celebration with vital health awareness, epitomizing the ethos of a festival that cares.