A Calgary support group is reaching out to Cochrane residents who are affected by prostate cancer.

PROSTAID Calgary is a not for profit support group that provides education and peer to peer support or mutual help, as well as advocacy for men and their families who have dealt with prostate cancer.

David Lunn, President of PROSTAID Calgary, says he wants men and families in the area to know what is available to them through the organization.

"The awareness is really important," he says. "In the neighbourhood of one in 1 in 8 men are going to get prostate caner in their lives. In Alberta 8 men die every week of prostate cancer. The instances and mortality rate of prostate cancer is about the same as breast cancer. "

Lunn encourages anyone in the area who is dealing or has dealt with prostate cancer to come to a PROSTAID meeting, held on the second Tuesday of every month at the Kerby Centre in Downtown Calgary.

The evening involves a general meeting in which Lunn will provide information, along with a guest speaker that will talk on medical, and personal health matters.

Lunn says there are also smaller, more targeted group meetings.

"Prior to our general meeting, we have 3 smaller group meetings that include, newly diagnosed on men on active surveillance. Another group called warriors, and these are men who have been treated for prostate cancer, but have had the cancer return. As well as Wives, partners and caregivers, women who meet with our executive director Kelly Fedorwich to discuss issues related to being a wife, partner or caregiver to a man with prostate cancer."

Lunn invites anyone in the Cochrane area who may interested to a meeting, there is no registry, and membership with PROSTAID is free.

PROSTAID currently has 1300 members.

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