Kilted to Kick Cancer at EMS World Expo
When a man wears a kilt, people joke about what the guy is wearing under there.
"I'm taking that as a good way to start the conversation about cancers that affect men," explains Justin Schorr, a paramedic/firefighter with the San Francisco Fire Department.
Schorr, who blogs as The Happy Medic, wears a kilt whenever and wherever he can. "Obviously, I don't wear one when I'm working. But that's about it," he jokes.
Schorr said there needs to be more focus and funds spent on finding cures for male-specific cancers such as prostate and testicular.
"I'm teaching two classes at the EMS World Expo in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 2, and I'll be wearing a kilt," notes Schorr.
September is prostate cancer awareness month and Schorr has partnered with Magnum Boots USA and Alt.Kilt, along with his fellow blogger Motorcop, to raise awareness for male-specific cancers. The goal of the campaign, better known as Kilted to Kick Cancer, is to encourage men to take control of their health and get screened for cancer.
"Prostate cancer is killing about 34,000 men annually. Yet, it gets 1/50 the amount of money that breast cancer does," says Schorr. "We're not saying don't stop looking for a cure for breast cancer. We're saying more funds should be dedicated to male-specific cancers."
Schorr is the first to admit that men don't want to talk about "those" cancers, even though one in six men will develop prostate cancer.
"Firefighters and cops have type A personalities. It's a macho thing. It's a discussion they avoid; but, a two-minute exam can save their lives," says Schorr.
"Our goal is to talk to as many men as we can and get them to get their butt--pun intended--to the doctor," said Schorr, who encourages others to don their kilts this September and post photos online on the Kilted to Kick Cancer Facebook page, or on Twitter using the hashtag #KiltedtoKickCancer.
For more information, visit www.kiltedtokickcancer.org.
