Gospel Benefit Concert Held to Promote Prostate Cancer Awareness

What would you do if your family patriarch heroically battled a horrid and rare form of prostate cancer, and then passed away? Would you quietly accept what happened, or would you continue to fight?

The family of Bowie’s James “Rudy” Muckelvene is choosing to fight by to promoting awareness of prostate cancer through their organization, Warriors Fighting for His Cure. Sunday night, they called upon the power of Jesus Christ to help them during a joyous, praise-the-Lord filled Gospel benefit concert at the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Lanham.

Pastor Christopher Randolph said the family’s faith in the Lord had moved him. “They are here to spread their faith and this information so the lives of others can be saved.  They are an inspiration.”

James Muckelvene, 58, Dec. 2o after fighting sarcomatoid carcinoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of prostate cancer. In just months, the cancer spread from his prostate to his bones and muscle, unlike most types of prostate cancer which can take years, or even decades, to develop.

Daughter Jamecia Muckelvene, who was accompanied by mother Pearl and sister Janique, said they were present to make a “warrior’s appeal” to God and all those present. She noted that during his final days, her father had never feared death. “Lord, we come to you tonight in prayer. You are the beginning, and you are the end.”

There were several hundred in attendance, and six gospel groups and singers inspired them to sing and clap. The performers included Michelle Page, the Heavenly Connection, D’Angelo Coates, Zavonya, the Little Zion Men’s Choir and Reggie Page and Fulfilled.

“If you really need more of him, let me see you clap your hands,” sang Reggie Page. “Clap again, he’s the real healer, he’s the one you need.”

The audience heard how there were about 217,000 new cases of prostate cancer last year, and about 32,000 deaths from the disease. Black men are more than twice as likely to die from it then other men with the cancer, said Dr. Patricia Coleman.

Early detection can prevent the spread of the cancer, she said. “These cancer cells are mean, they are ugly and can move on to fester in other parts of the parts of the body,” said Coleman.   

Detection involves two simple steps, a 10 minute physical exam and a blood test, she said. “Women, push your men to see their doctor. They can’t know if anything is wrong with their prostate unless they see their physician.”

Also, the chances of developing prostate cancer increase greatly if one or more relatives has it, Coleman said. “The apple doesn’t fall from the tree. We need to talk about this in our families. The “c” word can’t scare us away.”

Jamecia Muckelvene made a call to the males in the audience. “Men, I ask you to make a pledge. ‘As almighty God is my savior, I pledge to have my prostate checked this year and every year after.’ ”

This was the second in a series of three Gospel concerts held in the memory of James Muckelvene and for prostate cancer awareness. Patch will report the location and time of the next concert when it is available.

For more information, Warriors Fighting for His Cure can be reached at warriors@warriorsfightingforhiscure.org or (240) 671-9360. The organization seeks donations to increase prostate cancer awareness in general and knowledge of sarcomatoid carcinoma, about which little is known because of its rarity.

The family’s blog is http://4wewalkbyfaith.blogspot.com/.