Prostate Cancer Survivor Embarks on 555-Mile Inline Skate Across Texas

AUSTIN, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prostate cancer survivor Keith Wegen is an advocate like no other. The 46-year old is undertaking a grueling 555-mile in-line skate through Texas to spread the word about early detection of prostate cancer, the nation's most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Called "Skate For Prostate," his journey began Nov. 1 in Austin and will end Nov. 9 with a closing event at Dallas' Katy Trail Ice House at 5 p.m.  

Wegen's one-man race is a fundraiser for Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC), an organization dedicated to early detection, research, education and awareness for prostate cancer and all prostate conditions. Wegen was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 44. Because of his aggressive tumor, he could have died from the disease well before the age of 50 – when prostate screening is recommended for all men – so he felt compelled to help spread the word about early detection and screening.

"I spent a lot of time learning about my disease.  I quickly discovered that many young men have been afflicted by prostate cancer and were not as fortunate as me to find it in time," said Wegen. "I felt called to make a difference by raising awareness and funds for the early detection of prostate cancer."

His journey started in Austin where he's skating 180 miles in and around the city. He'll head north towards Waco on Nov. 4, adding 60 miles.  On November 5 he will stake 106 miles from Waco to Dallas, going through Waxahatchie around noon. Starting Nov. 6, he'll skate 209 miles throughout Dallas/Fort Worth before arriving at the Katy Trail Ice House just in time for dinner on Nov. 9. Cycling teams and other in-line skating groups will join him throughout the journey, and sponsors like the Omni Hotel, Zico Coconut Water, Herbalife24, and Beeken Biomedical will help with rest, nutrition, hydration and injury recovery.

In 2012 Wegen skated 395 miles across his native Colorado, raising more than $17,000 in much-needed funds for prostate cancer education and screening. This year, he'll skate a much longer distance through Texas, where he works for employer and sponsor MERX Advisors.

"Keith is a longtime employee and a real fighter," said Merx Advisors CEO Gene Sartin. "We do everything we can to help him promote his mission because it is a priority for everyone of us – male and female. Early detection is the key to a favorable treatment and long-term survival."

Each of Wegen's 3 daughters were born on the 5th of a month which is why he decided to skate "555" miles. Donations are being accepted through PCEC's website and supporters can follow Wegen's journey on Facebook/SkateforProstate.

ABOUT PROSTATE CONDITIONS EDUCATION COUNCIL (PCEC):
The Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1989, is dedicated to saving lives through awareness of prostate health. As the nation's leading resource for information about prostate cancer, the PCEC educates men and their loved ones, as well as the medical community, about this disease and other men's health issues. As the founder and coordinator of the national Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW) Program, PCEC has screened nearly 5 million men across the country for the disease and have become one of the largest and most successful health screening projects in the world.

As the leading innovative organization, saving and improving the lives of men and their loved ones, we SET the PACE in early detection, research, and awareness for all prostate health conditions.

• To increase awareness of prostate cancer and its treatment options at all stages of the disease.
• To supply up-to-the-minute information about prostate health to patients, caregivers, and physicians.
• To provide free of low-cost screenings for prostate cancer and other men's health issues, including evaluation for advanced cancer patients. 

Visit PCEC on the web, on Facebook, or on Twitter

SOURCE Prostate Conditions Education Council