By Lisa Zimmerman, Player Engagement Insider
Carolina Panthers safety Kurt Coleman remembers vividly the call he received from his father, Ron, in the fall of 2006 when he was a freshman at Ohio State. “[We were] preparing for the national championship,” Coleman recalled. “I got back from practice and he called me and told me that he was diagnosed with breast cancer. I laughed, I thought he was kidding.” It wasn’t a joke. Like many others, Coleman had no idea that men could get breast cancer.
Fortunately, Ron, who had discovered the small lump on his chest, had a feeling right away that something wasn’t right and had it checked immediately. His doctor recommended a mammogram and the cancer was determined to be in the relatively early stages – stage 2. Ron is now cancer-free.
That diagnosis was eye-opening for the entire family and was the impetus for Coleman to start his foundation, Coleman 4 A Cure.
“We’ve found out that [breast cancer occurs] in less than one percent of men, but is more prevalent in African Americans. In addition, my dad went to a convention and learned that with lab mice they generally use females for the research.”
Coleman acknowledged that the co
mbination of lack of information about the fact that breast cancer can affect men, together with the emotional component where men may have the perception that illness equals weakness, contributes to men not always be properly or expeditiously diagnosed.
“That’s one of several reasons why we’ve been outspoken,” Coleman said. “The great thing about what my dad has done is he was in the newspaper, and that helps take down the barrier that males can be exposed to this kind of cancer and shouldn’t be too prideful if we see something, to check it out.”
Coleman feels strongly that self-awareness and assessment and a having proactive attitude in one’s health are key components in managing issues when they arise.
“You know your body and when you feel anything irregular check it out,” Coleman said. “Your body will tell you when something’s not right. It’s our job to be in tune with our bodies. And if you do see something irregular don’t feel like it’s a burden to get it checked out. If you don’t feel like it’s supposed to be there it’s probably not supposed to be there. Go check it out and go from there. Early detection is the key to all of this.
“What’s so special about Breast Cancer Awareness Month is we have raised awareness. Women do the regular screenings and we’ve done a great job of breaking down those barriers. We have to make ourselves vulnerable to allow our doctors and researchers take care of us.”
Now Coleman’s foundation provides a way for him and his family to help other individuals and families navigating the same road that they did a decade ago, and on a personal level. In addition to assisting with medical expenses or day-to-day bills in cases where the person can’t work, they also sometimes provide relief by sending the family on a trip or to a football game where they can have a brief respite to take their minds off the illness.
They also educate the family on some of what they will face and provide emotional support; including sharing their own personal experiences.
“There were not a lot of people who understood what we were going through,” Coleman, who is one of nine children, said. “The person who has cancer feels alone and as a family member you feel helpless. We want people to know that everyone has a role.”
The foundation has partnered with other organizations and raises money through individual donations (including from Coleman himself) as well as fundraisers held by a variety of different places including Coleman’s alma mater, Ohio State, and the school where his father is a health and physical education teacher, and basketball coach in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio. One hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to the people they help.
And Coleman has now found a life-long purpose.
“God gives us all purpose in our lives and this is one I’m trying to fulfill,” he said. “It was a blessing my dad was able to fight it and we can share our story.”
Lisa Zimmerman is a long-time NFL writer and reporter. She was the Jets correspondent for CBSSports.com, SportsNet New York’s TheJetsBlog.com and Sirius NFL Radio. She has also written for NFL.com.