For years, I’ve watched groups and individuals working to fight prostate cancer bite themselves in the butt. It’s fascinating…
What leaves me speechless is the lack of compassion, understanding, and ultimate appreciation that these groups have for one another. All around me I see greatness, groundbreaking leadership, unique individuals that lend something precious and irreplaceable to the cause… and 9 times out of 10 the best they can do for each other is criticize.
Hot topics of late:
1. The blue ribbon – so what if not everybody likes it? Some people do! So don’t discourage them with words comparing the blue ribbon to the iron man (rather woman) of cancer causes – “breast cancer pink”… who the heck is that going to motivate? Let them be grassroots… build it over time – just like our sister cause did… throwing a big BS wet blanket on it won’t help.
2. Women in the movement – ok, yeah we’re important. It’s way more manly to do it (screen) for your wife, daughter, mom… but all and all – we need to get these guys to man up for themselves… us chicks have enough on our shoulders;) Know we love you, and do it!
3. Who “won’t work with us” – who cares? I only care who will… even if it is only on a fraction of our personal big picture. We’re all not going to agree on every last point – so buck up and be friends on the points we agree on… all the rest will come out in the wash one way or another.
I am excited to see that Mary is writing this blog. Having just read her first three posts I think that she is going to be hard hitting, honest yet refreshing. I look forward to reading her posts on a regular basis.
Go get them Mary.
Joel
Dear Mary,
Thank you for your “spot-on” comments about cancer organizations’ competition for funds and status that is so self-defeating. Collaboration, not one’s success over another, is what is called for.
Hillel, the great rabbinic sage in Israel 2,000 years ago stated, “If I am only for myself, what am I?” For this reason I’ve decided to have a portion of the sales from my new book (to be launched in six four days from now on October 16th)benefit at least four major prostate cancer support and education organization. Called “Conquer Prostate Cancer: How Medicine, Faith, Love and Sex Can Renew Your Life,” this book a make a clear statement that prostate cancer is the only “competitor” we need to deal with.
All the best…to us all.
-Rabbi Ed Weinsberg
Hi Joel! Thank you:) I’m back after an interesting spiritual journey – and with some always appreciated encouragement from Darryl. Hopefully I can make a positive and proactive contribution. I look forward to catching up with you in and around our MaleCare blogging communities!
Rabbi Weinsberg, I look forward to reading your book! Rabbi Hillel’s quotes is an old family favorite, even quoted in my great-grandfather’s soon to be published Captain’s Journals (he was a sea captain in the early 1900s)