National Men’s Health Week: Awareness, Activity and Taking Action

By: Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers | June 10, 2016
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Metro Detroiters, were you aware that National Men’s Health Week kicks off this Monday, June 13? The event continues through the following Sunday, June 19, and is chock-full of fun events in the southeast Michigan area to help raise awareness for men’s health.

Your Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers are proud to partner with The Michigan Institute of Urology Men’s Health Foundation for this cause. The local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is dedicated to men’s health advocacy, as well as the awareness, research and education of prostate cancer. The foundation will host several events this week to celebrate Men’s Health Week. All of which are family-oriented.

Celebrate Men’s Health Week with MIU Men’s Health Foundation

Courtesy of MIU Men’s Heath Foundation

“Everything we do is all about family,” Dr. Michael Lutz, president of the MIU Men’s Health Foundation, said. “We know when prostate cancer affects the man of the family, the entire family is affected. Everyone deals with their prostate cancer diagnosis and survivorship in their own way. So, we actually have the ability to address all of these issues on a monthly basis with our Survivorship Series Support Group.”

Blue Monday, the Monday of Men’s Health Week each year, starts off the festivities. Blue Monday is internationally recognized, and easy to participate in. Men, women and children wishing to support the cause can simply dress in blue, and men are encouraged to exercise or partake in healthy activities that day. This year, the city of Detroit is getting involved in big way.

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Celebrate Men’s Health Week with MIU Men’s Health Foundation

Courtesy of MIU Men’s Heath Foundation

“This year on Blue Monday, and throughout the week, we are going to be turning the buildings of Detroit blue,” Dr. Lutz said. “Not only will the Spirit of Detroit be blue, the General Motors Building will be blue, so is Ford Field, Comerica Park, Joe Louis Arena, the Fox Theatre and Motor City Casino (and several others).”

 

Celebrate Men’s Health Week with MIU Men’s Health Foundation

Courtesy of MIU Men’s Heath Foundation

When the foundation started in 2009, it held a walk/run at the Detroit Zoo to raise awareness for the cause, an event that now takes place annually. The 2016 Run for the Ribbon is on Sunday, June 19 at 8 a.m. The race is a 5K run/walk, and participants are granted access to the zoo afterward. Lutz predicts to have around 2,000 participants. Registration is available online.

Other events to look out for during Men’s Health Week include Cogs and Kegs on Wednesday, June 15. The bike ride offers 10-mile and 30-mile options and is lead by world-renown cyclists. A celebration at Griffin Claw Brewery follows.  On Friday, June 17, the foundation will be at the Detroit Opera House Sky Deck, featuring live music from Jena Irene Asciutto (American Idol). Also, be on the lookout for the Men’s Health Event at Ford Field in the fall.

Additionally, the nonprofit organization offers the Blue Fund. The one-of-a-kind fund offers financial support to men who are actively being treated for prostate cancer and can no longer afford their treatment or are facing a significant financial burden. The fund uses money from donations, fundraisers and sponsors/partners.

Dr. Lutz, who hasn’t missed a day of running since 1978, leaves us with this piece of advice in regards to living a healthy lifestyle.

“Every single disease has been linked to the metabolic syndrome, obesity and lifestyle. The more active you can be and the better you take care of yourself, the dividends will just be so far reaching. All you have to do is have a reasonable goal. Something is always better than nothing.”

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