Gale Sayers to speak at 'SIU Men's Night Out'

NFL Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers is the featured guest at the fifth annual "SIU Men's Night Out," Thursday, Sept. 27.

The program is presented by the Prostate Center of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at Southern Illinos University's School of Medicine, and is part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Men's health screenings and other information will be available at the event at Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St., Springfield.

In addition to his NFL career, Sayers served as SIUC athletics director from 1976 to 1981.

Sayers - who rocketed through the NFL during a six-year career from 1965 to 1971 - is one of the few players to score touchdowns by rushing, receiving and kick returns in one game - and was the first player to accomplish the feat three times.

Because of injuries Sayers played only 68 games, yet retired with a career rushing mark of 6,213 yards and left with six National Football League records, including the all-time leading NFL scorer for a single season in 1965 with 22 touchdowns.  Sayers was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1965, and enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1977.

The program begins with a dinner and health information and screenings provided by various health care organizations.  Door prizes include autographed mini-footballs and grills.  All participants receive a souvenir T-shirt.

Dr. Thomas Tarter, associate professor of urology and director of SIU's Prostate Center, is master of ceremonies for the event. Dr. Stephen Hazelrigg, professor and chair of the cardiothoracic surgery division and director of SIU's Lung Cancer Center, will talk on screening for lung cancer. Dr. Imran Hassan, assistant professor of colorectal surgery, will discuss screening for colorectal cancer.

Sayers will the discuss his football career.

Event sponsors are: Bank of Springfield, Memorial Medical Center, the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU, SIU Physicians & Surgeons, and St. John's Hospital.

Prostate cancer strikes more than 220,000 men in the United States each year.  One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Early detection and treatment is one of the best tools for treatment.  Screening that includes a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test combined with a prostate exam has led to cases being diagnosed earlier, often leading to a cure and increased survival.

To purchase a $10 ticket for SIU Men's Night Out, men age 21 and older can call Carol at 217/545-7133 during the week. Credit card holders can order online at www.siumed.edu/cancer.