Pints for Prostates Campaign Expands Efforts in 2010

Pints for Prostates, a campaign that uses the universal language of beer to reach men with a critical health message, is expanding its efforts in 2010. The grassroots effort is scheduling events across the country and is working on programs that will communicate the importance of regular prostate health screenings and early detection in successfully treating prostate cancer.

“Pints for Prostates is being adopted by the beer community. It’s great to see brewers, retailers, publications and festivals joining the campaign,” said Rick Lyke, a 49-year-old Charlotte, N.C., marketing executive and drinks journalist who had successful prostate cancer surgery in April 2008. “Every week nearly 4,000 men in the U.S. hear the words ‘you have prostate cancer.’ The key for these guys is detecting the disease in its early stages when treatment is nearly 100 percent successful. Pints for Prostates mission is to encourage guys to get an annual physical and have a PSA blood test.”

Since being launched in late 2008, Pints for Prostates has reached approximately 80 million people through a combination of donated advertising, news articles, appearances at beer festivals, and coverage on websites and blogs. In 2009, program was featured at the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland, and profiled on CNN’s Vital Signs program hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Pints for Prostates has registered as a 501(c)3 charity and the funds it raises support programs that assist men with prostate cancer and to fund research aimed at improving care and finding a cure for the disease. Since its inception, Pints for Prostates has raised more than $50,000 to assist the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a 501(c)3 charity founded in 1990 that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families.

So far in 2010, Pints for Prostates has confirmed participation in the following events:

March 1-30: The Ale House, 3744 Vestal Parkway East in Vestal, N.Y., is hosting a month long awareness campaign.
March 13, 2-6 p.m.: The grapevine Beertopia Festival, 1012 Market St. in Fort Mill, S.C., will donate $1 from every ticket sold and Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.
March 20, 3-6 p.m.: The Liberty, 1812 South Blvd., Charlotte, N.C., will host the Beasts of the East Big Beer Tasting as part of Charlotte Craft Beer Week. The Liberty will donate $5 from every ticket sold and Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.
April 10, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p..m.: Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten, 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, Fla., will donate a portion of the day’s sales and Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.
April 17, 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.: Fish Tale Brew Pub, 515 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia, Wash., will donate a portion of the day’s sales and Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.
April 24, Noon-4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.: World Beer Festival, Moore Square, Raleigh, N.C. Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.
June 12, Noon-4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.: World Beer Festival, Brown’s Island, Richmond, Va. Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.
June 16, 6-9 p.m.: Pike Brewing, 1415 1st Ave., Seattle, Wash., will donate a portion of the day’s sales and Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.
Sept. 17, 1-4 p.m.: Denver Rare Beer Tasting II, Denver, Colo.
Oct 2nd: World Beer Festival, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, N.C. Pints for Prostates will have a booth at the event.

Additional events are being booked and information will be listed shortly at www.pintsforprostates.org.

About Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates, a campaign that uses the universal language of beer to encourage men to take charge of their health, was founded by prostate cancer survivor Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of regular health screenings and PSA testing by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. Pints for Prostates supports the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, a 501(c)3 charity that works to support, educate and advocate for men with prostate cancer and their families. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter (@pints4prostates).