The older I get, I realize that there are some childhood memories that bring a smile to my face each and every time. One that comes to mind is listening to one of my favorite groups, The Gap Band, at family gatherings. My uncles loved "Early in the Morning" and to this day "Outstanding" still gets me out of my seat each and every time.
One day as I was talking my cousin Cheryl from Soul Suite Radio about our September issue and the fact that the month has been designated as Prostate Cancer Month, she noted that she was working on an upcoming interview with Charlie Wilson. At that moment, a light came on. It was just months earlier that I watched him on the Mo'Nique Show talk about his career and also his diagnosis and healing from prostate cancer. From there it was only perfect that we reach out to him for an interview to share his story with readers.
Born in Tulsa, Okla., Wilson was the former lead singer of the brotherly trio, The Gap Band, before embarking on a solo career. His first solo project, Charlie Last Name Wilson, really caught the industry's attention and was later followed by his current album, "Uncle Charlie", which like the first sealed his title as one if the greatest artists working and performing today.
Although fans know Wilson from his smooth lyrics, they are now coming to know an even more personal side of him since his announcement in February of 2009, right before the release of "Uncle Charlie", that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September of 2008 and by that November he had started a course of therapy. "I didn't like going to the doctor, being that I am man, but since I have been married for the last 15 years, my wife has insisted on me going to the doctor to get check-ups annually, sometimes quarterly because we work so much. This one particular time she insisted on me getting a PSA test and some positive numbers came up and my doctors were alarmed and sent me to a specialist." Wilson goes on to note that a week later he was told some good news and some bad news. The bad news was that he had prostate cancer but the good news was that they were able to detect it early which meant treatment would indeed work and save his life.
Looking back, he sees the history of this devastating disease in his own family. "I lost my father from prostate cancer. You have to know your family history." Which is such an important point given that in many families, topics such as this one or others concerning health are unfortunately taboo and off limits for discussion.
Healthy and feeling compelled to now "inform" in addition to performing, Wilson is sharing his story with family, friends and the community, especially among African-American men, so that together with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) the number of men suffering and dying from prostate cancer can be reduced. According to the statistics, one out of six men and will be diagnosed but for African-American men, the numbers change to one out of three will receive a positive diagnosis.
In addition to working with the PCF to spread the word, Wilson has truly embodied the changes he speaks about to maintain his excellent prognosis. "It's a lifestyle I have to life now. My food intake is different. My exercise regime is different. I had to change everything and when I did, I had more energy and I feel a whole lot better."
Wilson also has a collection of hats that are known as the "Uncle Charlie Hats" and proceeds from all sales benefit the PCF and the work it is doing. The hats come in eight colors, have Wilson's initials on the right side and will set off any wardrobe selection. During the month of September, readers who share their stories and offer words of encouragement in our comment box below so that men will take action and get tested will be entered to win an Uncle Charlie Hat at the end of the month.
The 6th Annual African-American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit will take place on September 16 and 17 in Washington, D.C. and this year the focus will be on outreach efforts with Black churches nationwide. And with such a big need to inform, this is just another initiative to address this disparity among African-American men.
With such a wonderful attitude of gratitude, Uncle Charlie is certainly becoming a part of our family and also a part of those who are choosing to live by putting their health first and later encourage others to do the same.
To watch a special message by Charlie and his wife Mahin about prostate cancer awareness, click here.
For more information about Wilson's Uncle Charlie Hats, visit www.unclecharliewilson.com and for more information about the upcoming summit, visit http://prostatehealthed.org.
