During Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week, nobody in the Bronx is more involved in the cause than survivor Michael Singer.
Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week (October 18-24, 2015), which was designated by the state legislature back in June, is a special, but important time for the male breast cancer survivor who advocated for the cause by spreading awareness in many ways this past week.
Singer, who had his bout with breast cancer five years ago, first interviewed with PIX11, where he and his wife Patty discussed their effort to have Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week passed in the state legislature, thanks in part to Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, who sponsored the bill.
He was then invited to speak for several minutes at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Bronx walk, where he instantly became a favorite with the audience, who gave him an enthusiastic response when he spoke about Male Breast Cancer Week, his own battle with the disease.
During his speech, he had all men in the audience raise their hands and touch their breasts – and told them if they felt anything abnormal that they should schedule a doctor’s visit.
He also spoke about his late sister who passed away due to breast cancer. He left the stage to a tremendous round of applause.
“It was a really heartfelt, emotional moment,” said Patty about his speech at the walk. “To see him (Michael), after all that he’s been through, on a stage where he was so well received by thousands of people by talking about his cause was a truly phenomenal experience.”
Later in the week, Michael and Patty then interviewed with Bob Lee from BronxNet’s TV show ‘OPEN’.
He was also asked to be a keynote speaker at Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.’s 2nd annual Breast Cancer Survivors event, where he raised awareness and talked about his involvement with the Male Breast Cancer Coalition.
The slogan for that event was ‘women are pink, men are blue, men can get it (breast cancer) too’.
“Men can get breast cancer too, and that’s what I’m trying to get across to everybody who may not even know male breast cancer exists,” said Michael Singer, who added that retired Cleveland Browns running back Ernie Green and actor Richard Roundtree were also diagnosed with breast cancer.
“My mission is to get the word out and spread awareness because it can happen to anybody, men or woman,” he added.
Forty three states have now set aside the third week in October as Breast Cancer Awareness Week. Once every state passes a similar proclamation Congress will declare the week for national male cancer awareness.
“This is a wonderful public service that Michael (Singer) has devoted his time and effort towards in a major way,” said Assemblyman Benedetto. “I’m glad he’s been able to generate awareness on this cause and gain exposure, but most of all, I’m happy for him after all that he had to go through.”
Singer also revealed that he is currently working with ESPN’s own Lori Berlin and the Male Breast Cancer Coalition on a documentary titled ‘Men Have Breasts Too’, dedicated to the male side of breast cancer.
