AnnKM

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among cisgender American men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in cisgender men. These startling facts led designer Frederick Anderson to help increase awareness.

Anderson launched The Blue Jacket Fashion Show, which is now in it’s 9th year and continues to elevate prostate cancer awareness. Celebrities hit the runway at the annual event donning pieces by various illustrious designers. The show benefits ZERO Prostate Cancer, USA’s leading advocacy, awareness, and support foundation. ZERO serves as the voice of the prostate cancer community, and funds raised will provide lifesaving early detection and treatment resources to reduce mortality.

The Blue Jacket Fashion Show is supported by Fashion Group International, a non-profit organisation aiming to promote educational programs devoted to fashion. Fashion Group International streamed the fashion show on their website and had viewing parties across the USA. Additionally, community members, event participants, and guests were invited to get screened for prostate cancer with a quick and easy prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test provided by Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

When Anderson founded The Blue Jacket Fashion Show 9 years ago, he wanted men to be able to speak about health as freely as women did, but it’s also personal. “Not only am I in the high-risk category, I also have had many friends that have been diagnosed or are in treatment for prostate cancer, so this is the least I can do.”

Further to having Fashion Group International as partners in streaming the show, some designers have been given the Rising Star award by the organization and put forward to Anderson. “I love to support other designers and use this as an opportunity to lift up fellow creatives who are doing amazing work.”Fashion Group International has also set up a GiveLively page for donors. Funds raised provide financial support to patients in need with personalized solutions to alleviate the many financial stressors of their diagnosis including treatment costs, transportation, insurance navigation, and more; research to discover new treatments and diagnostics; awareness to help understand the importance of early detection and allow education and awareness efforts happen nationwide; emotional support through in-person and virtual support groups and mentors across the country; and health equity removing barriers to critical support for those at the highest risk for the disease who for way too long have suffered inequities.

Read more here: https://www.annkm.com/publications/increasing-prostate-cancer-awareness-through-the-blue-jacket-fashion-show

📸: Getty Images for Blue Jacket
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