Letter From “Uncle Charlie” Wilson About Prostate Cancer
By Charlie Wilson
August 15, 2009
This is Charlie, Last Name Wilson and I’m reaching out to our community about prostate cancer. September is Prostate Cancer Month and a perfect time for me to share some much needed information about this disease.
During a regular checkup last year, at the insistence of my wife, I was encouraged to take a PSA test. Much to my surprise, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Because it was an early diagnosis, I was able to research various treatments and select the one that was right for me. Brachytherapy was the treatment we chose. Today, I am cancer free.
During my research on the disease, I learned that 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and that 1 in 3 African American men will be diagnosed. These numbers were astounding to me. That’s why I have joined with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to educate the African American community on how important it is that our men get annual physical exams.
Prostate cancer is not just a man’s disease, it’s a disease that effects our entire family. That’s why it is equally important for me to reach out to the women in our community. I’m asking the ladies to please take control and persuade your husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles, grandfathers and
significant others to get yearly checkups which include a PSA test. My wife took control. Her insistence paid off and helped save my life. I encourage all women in the African American community to do the same.
Enclosed are some “Tips for Prostate Cancer Awareness” that I have compiled, together with the Prostate Cancer Foundation.” I want my brothers to live long, meaningful and healthy lives.
For more information please visit my website, www.unclecharliewilson.com and the Prostate Cancer Foundation at www.pcf.org.
Your attention to this important health issue is appreciated.
Blessings,
Charlie Wilson
Charlie Wilson’s Tips for Prostate Cancer Awareness
Understand prostate cancer and talk about it; share what you know with friends and family.
Know your family history and share it with your relatives, sons and grandsons.
Create a family health history document to share at family reunions and holiday celebrations.
Eat a diet low in fat, carbohydrates and processed sugars.
Do not char meats. Charring creates carcinogens that collect in the prostate and interfere with DNA repair. Marinate and flip meats on the grill frequently to minimize charring. Better yet, try stir-frying meats.
Exercise regularly.
Take control of your health and get regular checkups. Talk to your doctor about a baseline screening (PSA and DRE) when you are 40; develop a schedule of subsequent screenings based on your medical history.
If you don’t have insurance, do your research to learn about free clinics in your community.
Visit www.pcf.org for more information or www.unclecharliewilson.com
You can also order “Uncle Charlie” Fedora Hats featuring Charlie’s initials “CW” on the right side and a dazzling pattern on the left-all made up of brilliant, shimmering silver gems. Available in 3 colors and 2 sizes. Grab one for every outfit! A portion of the proceeds benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Click here to go to Uncle Charlie’s store.
August 26, 2009 at 1:40, pm
This is great story and articles, i have never visited your blog but will visiting again. Thanks for the story
August 28, 2009 at 12:34, am
Hey Uncle Charlie!! Glad to hear you speak out about prostate cancer. Saw you on the Wendy Williams Show tonight and immediatly tried to find where to order that hat from you had on tonight….Couldn’t find it….Please Help!!!My husband, my 10 year old daughter(Lexi) and I are huge fans of yours. We will continue to pray for you…..God Bless You!!
August 28, 2009 at 12:40, am
That’s o.k. uncle charlie…guess I replied to soon…I found the site…..
August 28, 2009 at 3:22, am
Hey uncle Charlie, great article. It was very informative. I’m a 43 year old man and will take your advice to heart. I just have to say right away, that I’m your biggest fan – all the way back to the beginning of the Gap Band. You dropped a bomb with the “Bridging The Gap” CD. That was real player stuff there. But, I sing as well and got my style from you. God bless you man and keep putting it down like only you can do. Your one of a kind.
August 29, 2009 at 10:04, pm
Great article Thanks for Info,Prostate Cancer is very serious ,can u try herbal medicine?
August 31, 2009 at 2:17, am
Very very interesting post..I like this one. gotta bookmark this one.
Cheers
September 6, 2009 at 3:21, am
Endorsements of independent, When someone pays?Are found the, platinum cards can.Less tractable than, to set new.Hit good drive treating cancer, by promotional pens money Youll find.The whole bunch, website to insure.,
October 23, 2009 at 11:28, pm
BROTHER CHARLIE “”LAST NAME”" WILSON; SIR YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED IN MANY WAYS BY GOD ALMIGHTY!!! EVEN PRIOR TO YOUR BOUT WITH PROSTATE CANCER… MY WIFE CHRISTINE AND I ARE “”ARGUBLY TWO OF YOUR GREATEST FANS EVER!!!”"”" I PERSONALLY HAVE MADE IT TO MORE OF YOUR CONCERTS THEN ANY OTHER MUSICIAN PERFORMING!!!! FROM THE DAYS AT THE FRONT ROW THEATRE TO PLAYHOUSE SQUARE U AND YOUR BROTHERS ROBERT/RONNIE HAVE TRULY ENERGIZED ME,GAPTIZIED ME,MOVED ME IN EVERYWAY POSSIBLE!!! (WE LOVE YA ALWAYS UNCLE CHARLIE WILSON)!!!! IF YOU EVER NEED ME TO HELP YOUR CAUSE IN ANYWAY, HERE”S MY #216-509-8486 “”GOD BLESS YA MAN”" ***YOU INSPIRE THE SOUL AND OUR WELL BEING WITH YOUR VOICE & LYRICS & MUSIC ALWAYS*** T-H-E-G-A-P-B-A-N-D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 25, 2009 at 5:34, pm
GOD BLESS YA!!!, WITH MUCH LOVE ALWAYS BROTHER CHARLIE WILSON OF “”THE G-A-P-B-A-N-D-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR NUMBER#1 FANS ALWAYS QUINTERO & CHRISTINE
November 7, 2009 at 1:31, am
Mr. Wilson, I have long been a fan of yours, I think you are great! and I love your music. Thank God he has and continues to bless you. I lost my father to cancer and my uncle to prostrate cancer. I miss them both tremendously. I would love to order one of you hats to contribute to the cause for cancer. I was unable to pull up the website so I could do so. Love you so much!!
November 11, 2009 at 6:03, pm
Uncle Charlie I heard about ur prostate cancer and was happy that u are cancer free. I have been a huge fan of urs since the 1980’s when u were with ur brothers. On October 19, 2009 I saw u in concert at the Lakeland Civic Center, Lakeland Fl. U were the only reason I was attending that concert and I couldn’t wait for u to hit the stage. I brought my daughter, Alexis who is 13 and yes she is a hughe fan too. I do old school at my house and she knows about Uncle Charlie and the Gap Band. I also had my 12 year old cousin, Zamaani. The three of us went wild when u came out on stage and when u began to share ur testimony all I could do was cry and thank GOD for sparing ur life. I also thanked GOD that u were man enough to speak what was on her heart. Keep up the great work Uncle Charlie and tell ur wife thank you for saving our man. My prayers are with in all that u do. Peace and Love
November 12, 2009 at 11:08, am
Uncle Charlie, I just heard you on the Fatz and Cher, 96.3. Thanks for talking about prostate cancer. You know sometime we feel it won’t happen to one of our own. We always think its the next person maybe coming from someone like you someone will listen, then pass it on. You kinda like guess what I heard uncle Charlie say. etc Can’t wait to see in Augusta Ga.
November 26, 2009 at 3:25, pm
DEAR UNCLE CHARLIE,
MY NAME IS LINDA MOORE AND RECENTLY YOU WERE IN MONTGOMEY, AL
NOW I DON’T USUALLY GO TO CONCERTS,BUT THIS WAS DIFFERENT YOU SEE I RECENTLY LOST A DEAR COUSIN OF MIND TO PROSTATE CANCER AND WHAT YOU SAID ON STAGE MADE MY DAY. PLEASE COME BACK AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AS FAR AS LETTING MEN KNOW YOU DON’T HAVE TO DIE THEIR IS HOPE.