WBCA Podcasts

The Other Page Radio

Haywood Fennell invites his guests, Dr. Lauren Kearney and Peer Outreach Specialist Steve Abrams, to discuss the staggeringly common correlation between being a Black Veteran and developing Lung Cancer. They plan to host a screening service on the 4th floor of Fanuel Hall on October 9th in order to offer aid to the Boston community in combating this.

Broadcast on:: 03 Oct 2024
Audio Format:: other

[ Music ] Hey, good afternoon, everybody. Good afternoon. This is Haywood Fennell with the BNN studio without other page radio program. We're here at WBCA LP 102.9 FM Boston. And we have a very interesting program today for you. People have been working and doing things to try to educate you about veterans and bone cancer, among other things. We have two guests that have been here before. So they really family, so I'm going to let them introduce themselves and what they're here today to talk about. Hello, everyone. Lauren Carney here. I'm a lung doctor over at VA Boston, and I'm so happy to be back on your show, Mr. Fennell. I'll hand it over to the real star, Mr. Abrams. Thank you, thank you so much, Lauren. Like I said, we all shared decisions making. My name is Steve Abrams. I am up here, outreach specialist for the VA Boston health care system. And we're here once again, like we said, we're in the community and of the community. Last time on the show, we was here in June, and we just wanted to come back with some tremendous information, some life-saving information. We're just going to have the conversations that we need to have. And we just want to thank Mr. Fennell once again for hosting us, and we're going to start off this show. Mm-hmm. Community event for black veterans is one of the topics that we're going to be speaking about. But before we do that, Steve, I'd like to just hear from you guys about the work and why it's so important, you know, that we get this out into the community. Yes, one thing about the VA, the VA Boston has changed and continue to evolve in inclusion, diversity, and equity. They have so many vehicles to support black veterans and all our veterans when it comes to equality and health care. One thing that we are focusing on, the Center for Health Care implementation and organization and research, we're focusing on lung cancer. Why are so many African Americans dying from lung cancer when a simple screening could possibly save your life? A simple screening? Yes, sir, and what happened, Mr. Fennell, a lot of our community refused or unaware of how to get screened. Mm-hmm. And when we will give this information, I mean, the federal government is placing so much resources on helping veterans receive this free screening because an average of 14 veterans a day are dying from lung cancer. Mm-hmm. Imagine that. 5,000 veterans die from lung cancer yearly, so average 14 everyday are dying from lung cancer. The good news is that lung cancer screening, getting a simple CAT scan, five-minute CAT scan, CSX-ray will can catch in early stages and this can be cured. However, across the U.S., less than 10% of people who qualify for lung cancer screening have been screened. And that's why Dr. Kearney and myself and the co-design team, we are drilling down on getting this information out. We are going to every neighborhood, we're going to the churches, to the malls, to the barbershops. Screening for lung cancer is available in the community. You know, I just want to commend the team for the dedication that's involved in trying to make something available that's going to make people happier. This is not to say that you have lung cancer, but this is to say, if you do have it, what's available for you? Well, Doc, you've been a doctor for quite some time and over there at the VA where a lot of things are going on, but this is very unique, would you say? Well, yeah, I mean, think about if I stopped anyone on the street and asked them what a mammogram was or what breast cancer screening was, right? Most people could tell me, but if you stop anyone on the street at the dinner table tonight, ask someone what lung cancer screening is, most people don't know. And so that's one of the big things we're trying to get out there by being in the community and telling people that this test is available for those who are at high risk based on their age and their smoking history, that this is something that can save your life, but people just don't know about it. People don't know how easy it is, that it's available, and that it's no cost to you. And so that's really part of what we're doing is getting out in the community and just telling people about this because so many people don't know. So we want to make sure that we're not forcing out that you don't have to be a smoker to get this lung cancer. You know, you could be around somebody that smokes, you know, and they could pick up whatever it is that kicks off the cancer, right? Absolutely. One thing we want to talk to you about -- Go ahead. You said to us many months ago that we're not going to go to the castle, we have to bring the castle to the people. Uh-oh. Yes, sir. We're going to come to them. And right now, we're bringing the castle to the people. We are having a community event for Black veterans. Lung cancer screening awareness at Fanyu Hall in Boston, October 9th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. And this is being held at the historic and ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. This is the oldest military organization in the Western Hemisphere, chartered in 1638. With that charter, African-Americans at that time, those who have been brought over to this country had participated in every military campaign since 1638. Just imagine at the 13 colonies that exist today, we help secure their freedom, secure their easy passage by the military support that we provided to this country. So we're just coming back and say, here at this hollow ground, could you come for early screening, may save lives? While Black veterans are at even higher risk for lung cancers, they undergo screening at a lower rate than white veterans. Black men have the highest lung cancer incidence, one in four U.S. population rate, and mortality, one in five rate of any demographic group. This is really traumatic. And the coal design team has come in with research, data, and numbers don't lie. And we have come with a program to be shared decision-making and help our veterans come into the VA and feel like their voices have been heard and feel like their health care is priority one. And that's what I have gotten out of coal design, and that's what we want to bring to the community today. I want to just first of all thank the leadership of the coal design team, you know, and you guys and the rest of us, we look like a family to deal with family issues and that's what this is. You know, you look at the information that you have collected and are you surprised, are you surprised at the data that you've been able to accumulate? Unfortunately, I'm not surprised. There's so many reasons why black veterans are getting lung cancer more often and so many reasons why they're not getting screened. You can think of it as across the continuum. People don't know about it, right? People have been given cigarettes from in their military service. There's a lot of pollution and other things, as Mr. Fennell highlighted, that contribute to lung cancer and systemic racism, which we know is at play for all of these things, are contributing. And so our approach is to kind of do the same, chip away at all of these problems, work with other black veterans to really put into perspective what we've done to build this program. We went with black veterans from across the country for 20 hours over five months to build what this program was going to look like. I could have come up with this idea on my own as the doctor, but this program has been completely changed and tailored because of the input of all of these people and the hard work and hours that they dedicated to this project. And it is such an exciting program that we will be rolling out at Fannie Hall and then more to come after that. I cannot wait to see this program actually come to life after all of the work that these veterans have put into it. I just want to before we go to break, Steve, I just want you to talk a little bit more about the first one that we're going to do in October, you know, and its significance because you mentioned some information about sacrificing valor and African American veterans, you know, and I would like for you just to hit at that one more time before we go to break. Absolutely, and as Dr. Kearney said, our leadership is really all in to the community partnership in building cross-cultural partnership. Dr. Renda Weiner, who is our lead investigator, she has taken stake in this, getting this pilot program off the ground. So what we have done with co-design is give the veteran a voice that's veterans outreaching insight, care, and equity. We have a voice now, and health care providers and professionals have given us the equipment to move forward. So the community event for black veterans, lung cancer screening will be held October 9th, 2024 at 2 p.m. at the ancient and honorable artillery company at Fannie Hall, the fourth floor. Downtown, Downtown, find the elevator, park at Haymarket, and you will get your park invalidated. And guess what, Mr. Feynale, food will be served. So you know, yes, now you know, just like at the cookout, come on and get something to eat and listen to this life-saving information, but it's for you. Like I said before, the VA has created vehicles and programs to move forward conversations that we need to have. I think that one of the things that we're definitely going to do as a team is to get this information out to the Masonic Temple and Grove Hall and also to the nation of Islam. Yes, sir. We're going to make sure that they get this flyer in time, and we're going to try to, you know, update the community in many ways as we can, because this is very important, because what it does is it looks and touches on the historic you know, I want to use the right word. Yes, sir. You know, they've stored disparities in African-American veterans and getting the care that they need. We have now come together to look at this particular situation around health and cancer, lung cancer, and there's no telling what this will spawn in terms of the work that you do to advance and remove the disparities that we are confronted with our health, including mental health. So we're going to take a little break. We'll be right back, folks. Are you a veteran, or do you know a veteran who is struggling with housing due to COVID-19? Veteran Zinc can help provide support services, including assistance with rent, deposits, utilities, as well as emergency housing, including hotel stays to eligible struggling veterans. If you or someone you know is in need of services, please call 1-800-482-2565 or go online to www.veteransinc.org. Back again, folks. You know, this is the other page, radio. And we try to keep, you know, veterans issues right up front, right up front, because they need to know. They don't need to be the last to know, especially when it comes to health. They need to be the first to know what's going on, and that's what my guests are here to talk about today. You know, early screening can save your life. Early screening can save your life. I wish I could have a Spanish or so that we could translate that, you know, to me, because this is what it takes. Screen first, ask questions afterwards. You know, and so we here today to talk about this community event for black veterans. You know, I don't even want to tell you how this works, other than you need to get yourself down here and get this screening done. Yes, sir. What we have found, Mr. Pinellas, once African-American veterans have been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition or physical ailment, they discontinue treatment for one reason or another. And we are gathered together as a co-design team, asking the question, why have you discontinued treatment? What was your experience in your first encounter? And in a press release, July, June 2023, Secretary McDonough said 55% of the time the African-Americans submit a claim for compensation or health compensation and pension, they have been denied compared to 44% of their counterparts. So this was a big number that came up and the VA has started doing something about it many years ago. So what we have done here at co-design, our goal is to get the word out about this important screening testing that veterans may qualify for but are not getting. We want to save veterans lives and give them the service they earn. We will be doing community outreach and meeting black veterans and black historic leaders, leaders organization where they are in the community. To raise awareness about lung cancer screening and connect them, this is just as important as prostate cancer screening. We have seen prostate cancer screen numbers come down in a more favorable manner, but they are coming in the right direction. However, lung cancer screening has trended the opposite way. So we have to just the same way as we approach a campaign when they deployed us. We have a north, east, south, and west. We have to come at every front at this because lives are at stake. So this is what we are doing. We are having a community event for black veterans at Fanyu Hall, October 9th at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. You can get your parking validated. And if you have any questions, call 508-562-0893. 508-562-0893. And I will personally answer that number. And if you don't get through, text me and I text you back. I mean, you know, this is a concise message to veterans. Get tested so that we can be about the business of helping you deal. When you find help, recognize it. And that's what Steve is talking about. We're talking about being down there downtown. I mean, we ain't messing around. We going downtown. And we got two hours to be down there to get this information and these presentations. And if you're hungry, we got something for you. It will be more than potato chips. That's right. Do you like that? We ain't going to do you like that now. We're going to give you no water, a bottle of water, and some potato chips to say thank you. That's right. Because we care about you. Yes, sir. We care about more than your stomach. But we know the stomach is involved in this process. You know, we want to help veterans understand that the VA, the VA is concerned. Yes. And it hasn't always been like that. Because I can go back to a tried veterans league survey that we did. That's right. About cultural sensitivity and its importance in service delivery. And now, you know, we got doctors here. We got Steve. We got the co-design team. Yes, sir. The whole people. And they are serious about making a healthy veteran. You know, and I appreciate you coming in. That's right. You know, conversations that we need to have. Conversations can be messy. Conversations can be hard with your doctor. Conversations can be cumbersome. But the most important conversation that I ever had was those hard ones. And we got a breakthrough at the end because you know why? The VA has practiced sustained mutuality. They have begun to learn about cross-cultural partnership. Begin to learn about the privileges that one may have had through the system and how other cultures handle stress and what manner that we receive service. You know, the VA has a program. They have started a program. Diversity, equity, and inclusion. They have a Hispanic emphasis program. They have a black African-American special emphasis program. Served, educated, identified, and developed. These vehicles are for us just to move forward to help save one life. There's been a letter that this young lady wrote to her grandmother who survived cancer. It says, "Dear grandma, you were our matriarch. You faced cancer with strength, positivity, and even humor. You showed me not to fear the unknown. You are my favorite girl, love Gina." Grandma got to read that and we made a poster about Gina's letter to her grandmother. Wow, we're a poster too. Yes, sir. We made a poster about that. And we were showing those posters as you come to the community event for black veterans, lung cancer screening awareness at Fan New Hall. Bring your family. Bring your family. Food will be served. We will have music. October 9th, 2024 at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts, the fourth floor of Fan New Hall. Not too many people know that there's a fourth floor on Fan New Hall built specifically for those who serve. Now, Mr. Fennell, I don't know how to set the table better than that. So you're going to have to help me out here. You know, one of the things is that we don't have to be concerned about is our parking down there. Yes. You know, see, when you start talking about planning an event in that particular area, Doc, you know it. We got to like, "Hey, hey, hey, I can't take no ticket." Like that, right? Yes, sir. And so in order to make it right for you to come down, you know, and bring some family members down. Parking a market. Okay. Okay. Bring some family members. We're going to be up on the fourth floor. That's the top floor. And we're going to be doing some serious, serious screening. And parking will be validated. Once you come to the program and you leave, we're going to have your ticket validated. So you will have much, much as I have a paid by parking downtown, was $3 once I had my ticket validated by participating at the Ancient and Armor Artillery Company in Massachusetts Armory, the fourth floor. So Mr. Fannell, we can't afford a ticket because we want to go get our health screening. So we want to do one with the other, sir. We're talking about validating. Nothing is more important than making sure that you don't have. And if you do have, we can work with you. We're going to validate your health process. We're going to reorientate you and let you know that the VA cares about its veterans. You see, and that's going to alleviate a lot of the pressures that families go through and they become codependent. You know, this is a real breakthrough that my guests today are talking about. We're going to take another little hello out there to the community. If this is the other page, radio, my name is Haywood Fannell, and we have some guests from the VA coming in, call your friends, call your friends. Let them know. Let them know. WBCALP 102.9 FM Boston. We're here. We rolling. We rolling. We'll be right back. The Oscar Michonne Family Theater Program Company welcomes those seeking to learn about theater and performance. We offer classes that bring out your talent and improve it. Want to get involved in theater production, acting, or singing, then you can visit our website at TheOMTC.com. That's T-H-E-O-M-T-C dot com. Back again, folks. I just want to let you all know that, you know, when you have a vision, sometimes people say you can't do this, or you can't do that. And I'm not going to argue with people, you know, they say, "Well, you can't do this," and I say, "Okay, I'm not going to deal with that, but let me tell you about that." You know, the state's commemorating stand petition drive that we were involved in. I mean, I just want to just, you know, we've got some important other stuff, but I just got to mention this. And I want to thank the people that we've reached out to in the office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for coming off of Massachusetts. I want to thank the Joiner Center, the William Joiner Center at UMass Boston for that participation and also looking forward to working with the William Monroe Trotter Institute, also located on campus at UMass Boston, where I graduated from. It took me 28 years, but I did finally get to, "Huh, I'm trying to work on my masters now. I've been the college, but look, we have been getting a lot of support around signatures for this petition that honors the contributions of African-American veterans from the American Revolution up to World War II. These images were seen by elected officials and other community notables in Worcester a few years ago. And United States Congressman Jim McGovern was there with Charlie Baker. And Jim McGovern said and suggested that, "Hey, these are beautiful images. I think this would make a great series of commemorated stamps." Wow. That's all he had to do was tell me that. And I've been on it. And people are signing up, we're going to be there on October the 9th. We'll have our petition there for people to sign, you know, and they can get their screening. You know, we want to make sure that you understand that, you know, the petition stuff is available, but you're being there to get tested. That's why we're there. We're going to be where else are we going to be? Yes, sir. Mr. Fresnelle, let me tell you. I just want to commend you. That is a remarkable, remarkable lift for commemorating stamps for the services that African-American and all the veterans have provided to this country. The heroism that has gone on is gold down in infamy. But we're going to also be, you know, we have some great community partners. Right. Harvard Street Community Health Center. Oh, Harvard Street. Yeah. Right. We're going to be learning the director. It's Kathy King. She is phenomenal veterans outreach person. It will be at 12th Baptist, 12th Baptist. 12th Baptist? Yes. That's going to be on November 14th from 11/20 to 1/30. Oh, for me, we're the pastor there. Yes, sir. And we're going to be bringing this lung cancer screening program. We're going to be bringing co-design team. We're going to be bringing all of our stars and all of those who have veterans centric. I'm looking at this from the bottom veterans. I'm looking at this fly here. Yes, sir. It's on the fly. I'm looking at the flyer. I'm looking at this flyer, people that are doing the work. I love it. And you see the transitions, because once we were young, but now that we're old, but we've never seen the righteous forsaken. I would be mystified and mentioned the other flight that you read about. Yes, sir. I'm looking at it. I'm about the grandmother. Oh, yeah. This is beautiful work. See. Yes. I really like that. The letters that they can still read, because they got screened, because they got a five-minute screening. One thing about this program, based on prior studies, those who have risk factors for lung cancer are eligible screening. This is based on age and tobacco use, specifically age 50 to 80 years old, 20-pack years of smoking or smoking a pack per day for 20 years or half a pack per day for 40 years, et cetera. And currently smoking or quit smoking within the last 15 years, people who get screened should be healthy and don't have any symptoms of lung cancer. Your doctor can help figure out if you are a good candidate for lung cancer screening. So, however, screening is not for everyone. Whether you undergo lung cancer screening is an individual decision that should be made with you and your healthcare team throughout a thoughtful patient-centered discussion. This means that your doctor should explain the potential benefits, potential harms, and the goals. I like that. I like that you said that because, you know, when I go to the VA, one of the things that they do ask me is, do you smoke? Do you smoke? Yes, sir. I haven't smoked a cigarette in 30 years, I haven't smoked a cigarette in 30 years. But I know that that doesn't make me immune to lung cancer. Because when you smoke, you damage a lot of things, right, Doc? Absolutely. Smoking is the key risk factor for lung cancer. It's the one that's been most studied. It's the one that we know so much about. And unfortunately, we know that veterans smoke at such high rates. A lot of that is linked to their service. And stopping smoking is really hard. So congratulations to you, Mr. Fennell, for stopping, but we know that it's really, really hard. It's money, I say. Don't forget that. Blood. Yeah. But think about it. With cigarettes costing so much money, still so many people smoke, and it's because it really changes the way that your brain works, it's an addiction. And so we know that it's hard to stop smoking. We know that so many people are smoking, but lung cancer screening can detect lung cancer when it's curable, when it can actually be cured. And that's for people who currently smoke, smoked within the last 15 years and are between that age group of 50 to 80. But our goal is to find lung cancer when it can be cured. Because people don't know that lung cancer can be cured, but if you catch it at a very early stage, it can be cured. Okay. Let me just say this here, folks, because folks sometimes, they find hard to say, "Thank you." That they find real hard, but let me just tell you some folks. This project separates the kids from adults because of what they're trying to do is to help you. And I just want to thank you guys for the veterans that I know that don't know you, but will meet you in the strategy that you have brought about. We need to understand that the VA has some people that are dedicated to you and getting you straight now. So come on out, don't play with us on October the 9th, we're going to double back and hit you up and talk back to church. That's right. And we want you to understand that we know what we're doing, double up. Come on, bring your friend, bring another veteran. You're going to hear this again and again and again in some kind of way. You're going to see it on your email. You're going to see it on your Facebook. You're going to see it on my page on Facebook. You're going to hear me talking about it on the TV program next week. We are serious. We want to help you and the only way that we can help you is that you want to help yourself. We'll be right back. Put a frog in boiling water and it'll jump right out. But put a frog in cool water and slowly heat it up. That frog will boil. This is how we break it. We want to take it straight through without a guess of tonight, today, this afternoon. But I want them to know how much we appreciate you coming here. And more importantly, you, the veteran should be a very appreciative of how much work is involved with getting this program off the ground, off the ground, man. You know, a lot of people don't really understand the benefits of a coordinated effort to help heal the community and especially the veterans community. We're talking today about an event that you should be more than happy to attend, trying to make you better, to try to help you understand that we are available to help you. Community event for black veterans, look at that. I remember the time when I was in the military, this would not happen. That's right. This would not have happened. And so what that tells me is the commitment of the co-designer team to get this done. There were some other people before you, I'm sure, but they were not as strong, but they started it and now look where we are. We got a program in place from the VA hospital, VA administration. They listen to you. That's the voice. And you listen to us now. I want you to listen to Steve. That's the voice. One thing that the co-design team has emphasized and brought back to our attention as veterans, that you do have a voice. We have veterans outreach, insight, care, and equity. You do have a voice. Somebody has listened to you. But one thing, I joined the military when I was 17 years old. I came up at 17 and a half because I didn't need my parents permission, so I had to wait that half a year. But I came up doing the busting era here in Boston. I came through that process. I seen the state police with the black boots. I seen the horses pushing, moving the crowd. And I said to myself, "There has to be something different," so I joined the United States Navy. Once I got out the Navy, I joined the United States Army. Once I got out the Army, I joined the VA. And the VA has took me in because they know that my loved ones needed me. And they was there to offer care. They was there to listen to my voice. So now I'm a veteran outreach, have insight, and I care, and we talk about equity. So this is why we're here. These vehicles that the VA has started programs, it's for us to get in those vehicles and move the conversation forward. These programs within equity improves the status of black African Americans within the federal government health care system. It's improving our health for longevity matters. Dr. Lauren can tell you, once you are diagnosed, 50% are being diagnosed too late. Early detection can save lives. What did he say, Doc? Absolutely. Early detection is key because, like I said, lung cancer can be cured. And lung cancer treatment is growing every single day. We have new treatments. We have new ways of targeting different types of lung cancer. And so now is the time to be screened. Now is the time to learn if you might have lung cancer and to learn about the state of the art lung cancer care that is available to you through the VA. It's vital for you to be screened if you're 50 to 80 years old, currently smoked or quit within the last 15 years and have at least 20 pack years. These are the people who, through the VA, can be screened for free. And we emphasize bringing your friends and family because we know that no one can do this alone, but we also have resources for your friends and family to be screened across Boston. So this is directed to black veterans, but we are here for your entire family and your whole community. Let me just say something again, because, you know, you got to go to one of these cool designers meetings. You got to see how these kids are all. You got to see how they grow, right? Every time, man, to somebody to say something, they want to hear more. Yes, sir. They want to bring it to you, right? You know, we're trying to fit something that has no fitting spot right now. This is all new. You know, science. We're coming out of a new kind of foxhole design, you know, like foxhole military term of way that we fought, all the way that we fight. Sometimes you're in a foxhole by yourself, or sometimes you make me with another person, maybe two people, you know, and you're trying to take things from all directions. You're trying to protect each other, and you're trying to protect your country, and we're trying to protect our veterans, and we're trying to protect that by screening. That's right. Breast cancer screening is the number one, number one thing. Early detection. I mean, lung cancer screening is the early detection can save lives. This is what we do, Mr. Fennell. We talk about checking the checker. Who checked that? Code design is one of the checkers. We're one of the ones that's going down range, going into the communities, going into the barbershops, going into the churches. We're telling everybody, come to Fanyu Hall, October 9th, 2024 from 2 p.m. at the ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts fourth floor. You didn't even know there was a fourth floor in Fanyu Hall, but guess what? Now military culture is there, and you are there, and we want to just continue to reach out because the VA has created vehicles for Hispanic special emphasis program, Hispanic outreach, Hispanic and veterans of colors, care providers, and we have the brochures in Spanish. So we want to have everyone come together and start to get this information out. This is your voice. You are the key. Code design could not do this without the veterans. We could not do this without the doctors in the data. So we have sustained mutuality throughout the hierarchy. There is no big guys or little youth. We're moving forward one person at a time, one family at a time. And if we save one life through all this, I will be more than happy because we understand one thing. There's one thing that we understand you'll get no doovers, one shot at this life. So you got them not here for a long time, but we're going to have a good time. What do you think, Ms. Fanyu? Oh, I love that. I love that. You know, when you put it like that, you've got to show up. Yes, sir. You know, we did a lot of work and getting you here, you know, to take time to explain to people exactly what's going on with this screening because we need to be mindful that you walking around here with a cough or whatever it is that you have, that's not making you feel good. But we here now, we're going to be there on October the 9th for you, Fanyu Hall. And we're going to be at 12 Baptist Church after that. But let me tell you something, we ain't going nowhere, you know, we're going to be some other places. We're going to do, we're going to do this right. We're going to make it tight. That's right. We're going to put this information. You're going to come and get yourself screened and you're going to find out what it is that we need to do for you and you're going to tell the people how we came in and did what's needed. That's correct. Hasn't always been available. No, sir. Yeah. And when you come in, you're going to see people look like you, talk like you. And if you don't see people that look like you, talk like you, you're going to see cross cultural partners who understand culture, understand their privilege and understand what stresses are in your community and how your community handles stresses, especially when it comes to your health. But now I gave you a letter from a young lady who wrote to her mother about lung cancer. You have that note that, yeah, what does that note saying? And this is a survivor. This, this, this right here said, did you know about regular cancer? Let me say, oh, yeah. Dear mom. Yes, sir. We took out your braids and saw you had lost your, your hair. But with the strength of a mother's love, you dug in deep against cancer. So happy you're here to celebrate Christine's wedding, cherishing you, Christian and Kiana. That's what's going on in the black community. Let me read that again. Let me read that again. One more time. That's life saving. Come on, we took out our, we took out your braids and saw you had lost your hair. But with the strength of a mother's love, you dug in deep against cancer. So happy you're here to celebrate Christine's wedding, cherishing you, Christian and Kiana. Five minutes of your time, five minutes of your time to get a lung cancer screening, we will walk you through, co-design will coach you, co-design will be there. And guess what? If anything do come back, we're going to 12th Baptist so we can take it to the altar and to, and experience a true miracle because we've all healed of walking miracles. What do you think, Mr. Vanell? Oh, yeah. No question about, I'm a, I'm a prostate cancer survivor. Let me just get that in there. Yes, sir. You know, and I got diagnosed over at the VA hospital. So that was about 10 years ago. And we need that support. And that's what peer support outreach. We will, I will work with all veterans three months or more and help them through the process. This is, this is your one shot. It's a moonshot and we want to take it, but I, I actually read those letters because those letters are heart wrenching. Those letters are heart pulling. I want you to be around. We care for you. We care for you. And that's why the co-design team has come up with a community event for black veterans. Bring your friends, bring your family, there will be food. And I last time I checked, anytime you tell us there be food, what do they do, Mr. Vanell? Line up. Line up. This is going to be October 9th, 24th, 24th, 2 p.m. Those spades will be played, but we're going to eat, we're going to eat. We're going to, we're going to screen. Don't come in thinking that you're going to eat and don't get screened. But we're going to like, we want to sign you up for this program. We want to sign you up for eligibility. We want to make sure you get all the benefits that you have earned. This is your one shot. You know, I'm a non-commissioned office. I'm retired with 23 years in the military. I got 38 years in the government. I'm completing my degree at Lesley University for Art Therapy. And with all these different skillset, I just want to help one veteran to sign up for screening. One veteran's to know that your health matters, and it matters to us. We're the co-design team. We reached out across the country, and we talked to veterans, and we had these scientists come in. And these mental health professionals, we had these health care professionals come in and show us the data. Talk to us about the science, broke it down in the military manner that we could take the shot. That's what we're doing right now. Bring your friends, bring your family, food will be served. October, Fanyu Hall on the fourth floor. We're getting ready to wrap things up, look alike. But let me just try to interject if I could, you know, thanking you for coming in. But we've got a couple more minutes, but I got to talk about this program that is available for veterans and artists sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council, you know, go online to Massachusetts Cultural Council and individual artists. And they've included qualified writers, writers, you know, and that's based on the fact that I'm a writer, Humbly said, you know. Yes, you are. And I'm one of our veterans to understand that writing is a therapy for me and could be for you too. So go look at that and see if you want to challenge yourself to present yourself as an artist. And there's a grant involved there. I think it's $5,000 if you wanted to get selected. But if you feel like that, you need $5,000, then write up and present yourself. If you're going to feel like you need $5,000 and tell another veteran, you know, we want to look out for you. Absolutely. You don't have to be an artist. You just have to have, you just have to love art. Yeah. And then, you know, people, when people help you, you got to recognize what did the code design team go through for you, huh? Absolutely. I mean, Mr. Abrams over here is talking about everyone needs to show up to this event. Well, you know, who showed up is our co-designers, our community partners. If you need someone to show up for you, Steve Abrams is your guy. You just heard his resume and trust me, there's five more pages to go. I was good. I was good. I was good. He is such an impressive person. He's so busy. So busy, busy. And the energy that he and other co-designers have brought in to hear Mr. Fennell talk about me being anything close to family. It's just been such an honor to work with this team. It's such a privilege to work with this team. Mr. Abrams talked about how we brought the science, but man, did you all bring the expertise? And I am so excited to see this actually come to life on October 9th at Fennell Hall. It's been such a long time coming, but it is going to be fantastic. We're not only going to have food, but Mr. Abrams is going to bring the tunes to and we'll be dancing up a storm. So we're going to have food for thought. And this is the other page. And that's how we have to produce this because you have to turn the page and read what's on the other side. There you go. There's life changing on the other page. That's why we're here. Yeah, because people just let me read one page and read the other page. The first page could sometimes still be so depressing that they don't want to turn the page. It's true. But we're turning the page here today. Yeah, let's not get stuck on those statistics that are staggering, but let's move to the other page, as you all said, to how are we going to tackle this, how are we going to move forward, how are we going to bring this life-saving lung cancer screening to the people who qualify to the people who are at risk, the people whose lives need to be saved and the people who serve this country and deserve the treatment that the VA is there to give them. Oh, my goodness gracious folks. You don't know how wonderful it is to say that we're taking a step in the right direction. You know, to put this co-design team together was not an easy task because a lot of people probably were, you know, approached for whatever reason we have the team that we have. You know, and I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful for the strength of Steve and his ability to lead and get others involved in this process, you know, because some people have predispositions about what a veteran is, but we have a segment and try a veteran's league now called Beyond the Uniform. Beyond the Uniform, it talks about how we as veterans can use our talent and become a resource in the community using some of our military experience as well as our education to help our community. We are looking for support for this project. I don't want you to think that it's all on us, it's all on you. You are the key. You are the key. That's why we want you to make sure that you tell your friends about this year, don't be telling them, "Oh, yeah, they are chicken, and blah, blah, and collard greens," and all that, but they don't mention us. You know, don't do that, man, because that's you putting yourself in double jeopardy because you didn't get to screen it. Well, and that's the potential power of these community events is we're not only going to reach the people who come, but everyone has this network and that's what I know about veterans is that. It's groups of networks, it's groups of communities, so come, you'll tell your friends. They can come then to the 12th Baptist one, and this will just keep moving and we'll get the word out to as many people as we can. We got to get the word out of them. When I say get the word, I'm not talking about competing with any community based health provider. Let them know too that some people are veterans that don't acknowledge their veterans because of the situation around the stigma, you know, the exclusion factor, you know, that we have encountered because, look, I remember a guy by the name of Seymour. His name was Richard Seymour, and he went into the Navy when I was a little boy, and he came up, he was a happy guy and he came out and he had shell shot. Now that's similar to PTSD, and he didn't get the treatment, and that's been a part of our history not getting the treatment, but we changed that. Yes, sir. Go design. There you go. And we're here to help with historical injustice is also, all you have to do is call 508-562-0893. We are just addressing all historical injustices, and we're having those conversations that we have at the Cookout. Sometimes they're messy, but they need to be had. Come on out. Yeah, we want to hear from you. We want you to come in. You know, folks, we're going to have that petition for you to sign, and we're going to have some of the pictures so you can see the people that we're talking about. I'm reaching out to the office of the veterans, constituent services, also reaching out to the governor's office if she hasn't been reached out to already because she needs to know what we're doing, you know, around this screening that we're going to have. She needs to know this. Yes, sir. And we have to remember, Massachusetts 54th All Black Regiment was based in station at a Reedville High Park, Massachusetts, who helped fight in the Civil War. Now, no one handed you freedom, and you had to fight for that in the country. The Massachusetts 54th Infantry Regiment, All Black Regiment, under Colonel Shaw, right out of the High Park. This is our history. This is our legacy. This is what's on the other page, so we're looking for all y'all to come on out. And the other thing, too, you know, we're going to be reaching out to those over there in Springfield, Springfield, Mass, you know, talking to some guys, and they're interested in veterans and stuff, so we've got to get our fly out there, you know, Springfield, because they need low help in organizing their structure for veterans. We're not playing, we're staying, and we're praying, you know, we're going to make you understand that we're going to do this together. We're going to pray more power. That's all it is to you folks have been real, real good. This has been the other page, Radio WBCALP 102.9 FM Boston, so we're going to not just close right now, but we're going to ask Steve and Dr. Hino make it a few comments, and we're going to just shut it down. Go ahead, Steve. Sure, so thank you so much again for having us back. I want to reiterate what a privilege it's been to work with this team to learn from our black veteran co-designers. This wouldn't be possible without them, and it's not going to be possible without you. So come and see us on October 9th at 2 p.m., Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Faniel Hall. I get to see the fourth floor for the first time, let this be the first time. You get to see the fourth floor, we'll have food, music, and really important information connecting you to the VA, connecting you to lung cancer screening, bring your fans and family and become a part of our family, become a part of what we've built so far. We can't wait to see you there. Thank you so much, Dr. Kearney. This is our life work. Mr. Fennell and myself, this is what we do. This is how we breathe. We will not back up. We will not give up. We will not shut up. When I get to heaven, and God says, Steve, what did you do with all those gifts? I want to come empty. I want my pockets inside out. I said, God, I used everything just to help save one life. What did you do with those gifts? Did you go to Faniel Hall? Did you save one life? They need their grandmother. They need their mother. Come out. Yes. So when we do get to heaven, what a time it will be. What did you do with that gift? Thank you, Mr. Fennell, for this time. We appreciate you. I don't know if I'm going to help you, but wherever I go, you know, I'm going to tell that I'm going to let this program try to use that as labor to get out of hell. Well, let me tell you something. Yes, sir. We do this as a team. We don't do this as an individual. That's right. Throw your concern about what's happening with our veterans around the health situation. We're looking forward to October the 9th, coming downtown, you know, to go up on the fourth floor with Steve and we were looking forward to, you know, 12 bapters, you know, 12 bapters. Just Dr. Willie is my friend, headmaster, the shepherd over there. You know, he's, he's on tune with what we're doing in the community. God is good. All the time, all the time, folks. And, you know, again, we just want to thank being in for being the place for us to discuss this Boston community radio station. It's been a great show. We're looking forward to seeing you look for our flyers, look for our word. Steve wants you to check with the folks on the tech side and see if you can't get that sent to you. Roger that. And see about further disseminating this information that we share today. Thank you so very much, everybody, and have a great weekend. Thank you very much. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. (upbeat music)