Health

Dreaming, Believing in Prostate Cancer Cure

Published

9 years ago

May 22, 2015

Oakland Post

Robert Ginyard has come up with a unique way to fight prostate cancer. (Courtesy of DiBi Nation)

by Stacy M. Brown
Special to the NNPA from The Washington Informer

Robert Ginyard doesn’t have a cure for cancer nor does he have a concrete solution for preventing the dreaded disease.

However, the entrepreneur and prostate cancer survivor has been quite successful in providing a crucial tool for those who are recovering from serious illnesses, setbacks and whatever else might be a source of chagrin.

“My message is that you really shouldn’t have to face something like cancer or something catastrophic for you to go after your dreams,” said Ginyard, the creator of DiBi DiBi Nation, an awareness campaign that encourages all to live out their dreams.

DiBi DiBi stands for “Dream it. Believe it. Do it. Be it,” Ginyard said, noting that it’s a model he developed about one year after the radiation treatment he received.

He said he made a vow to God that he would live up to his dreams of not only being successful but helping others to achieve or at least reach out for their long held desires.

“A year had passed since the radiation treatment and I couldn’t sleep because I didn’t fulfill the promise,” he said. “So, this is really about second chances and to really not take one day for granted.”

“One of the things I try not to do is to be a motivational speaker where I’m trying to lift people up for the moment,” Ginyard added. “My goal is to inspire all to reach within themselves to come up with their own stories and when they leave my speaking engagement they can draw on their own experiences and search within their own soul.”

Applying the DiBi DiBi concept to his own life, Ginyard said he’s now fulfilled his pledge and has become a prostate cancer advocate, appearing before Congress and the Senate Appropriations Committee where he’s shared his story.

He’s advocated for increased funding for prostate cancer research and has been featured on ABC News and The Michael Eric Dyson Show and in both The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Ginyard also serves as a board member and spokesman for ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer, a non-profit based in Alexandria, Virginia.

At Zero, officials have noted that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in African-American men but funding for research lags considerably behind other illnesses like breast cancer.

Further, statistics reveal that black men are more than twice as likely as white men to die of prostate cancer and African-American men are 60 percent more likely than white men to be diagnosed with the disease.

However, nearly 100 percent of black men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis.

“When I’m talking to folks at board meetings, they [understand] that DiBi DiBi is universal,” Ginyard said. “Whether you are in Australia, China, or Mexico, everybody can look up and say, ‘Hey, my dream is this or that.’ That’s what’s been so amazing about the campaign because it crosses all racial and ethnic lines because everybody has a dream.”

Ginyard’s advocacy work primarily is geared toward helping to identify new research that could lead to a cure for prostate cancer and identify treatment options to improve the quality of life for men living with the disease.

“I know I’ve finally found my path and that is to motivate and inspire others to live their lives to the fullest and inspire others along the way,” Ginyard said.

A one-time banker and director of marketing for a national trade association before launching his own tote bag business, Ginyard has also created DiBi DiBi T-shirts which individuals can purchase and wear as part of the self-proclaimed DiBi DiBi Nation.

“The DiBi DiBi Nation is a group of strong, driven people and I am proud my message motivates others to pursue their dreams to bring about happiness and fulfillment in their lives and to the lives of others,” he said.

To purchase a T-shirt or for more information about Ginyard and DiBi DiBi Nation, visit www.dibidibination.com.

Oakland Post

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Calif. Dept. of Public Health: Got Milk Allergies? Don’t Eat Dave’s Bakery Cornbread

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.” The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Dave's Bakery Corn Bread, 9 pack/net wt. 21 oz (595g) (Courtesy of CDPH)

By California Black Media

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a warning on Jan. 26, instructing consumers with milk allergies or “severe sensitivity to milk” in the state to not eat Dave’s Bakery Corn Bread due to “risk of illness.”

The CDPH warns that consumption of the corn bread manufactured by a Gardena-based company — with expiration dates up to June 18, 2024 — may lead to “life threatening” reactions.

“This warning applies only to the Corn Bread produced by Bake R Us, DBA Dave’s Baking Company and distributed to schools, retail facilities and in vending machines primarily in southern California,” the DCPH statement reads.

“This product should not be confused with other similarly named companies with national distribution,” it continues.

According to the CDPH, although the corn bread product contains whey, which is a milk allergen, there is no allergy warning label on the packaging, though it is required by state law.

So far, authorities say, no illnesses have been reported in the state, but if anyone finds the products on sale anywhere in the state, they should call the CDPH complaint hotline at (800) 495-3232 or file a report online at CDPH.ca.gov

The CDPH is also recommending that people who have eaten the product and are experiencing any reaction or ill effects should consult their health care provider.

Oakland Post

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Bay Area

East Bay Regional Park District Issues Rattlesnake Advisory

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active. Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Courtesy photo.

The Richmond Standard

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active.

Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid hiking alone in case of an emergency, to scan the ground ahead as they walk, jog or ride, stay on trails avoiding tall grass, and to look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down. Keep your dog on your leash to be extra safe, park officials said.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it alone – it is unlawful to capture or harm one. Move carefully and slowly away or around it and give it plenty of space, park officials said.

Those who are bitten by a rattlesnake are instructed to stay calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart, then having someone call 911.

Getting medical attention is critical.

Those bitten should not use tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911, do not run.

If bitten by any other type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.

Not sure what bit you? Check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one) associated with intense, burning pain, which is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites can leave marks without associated burning pain.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Snakes are important to the natural environment, helping to control rodents and other reptile populations. But enjoy them from afar.

For more information, download the Park District’s Common Snakes brochure or watch our Gopher Snake or Rattlesnake video to learn how to tell the difference between rattlesnakes and gopher snakes. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters.

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

A Safe Place, Bay Area Domestic Violence Community Organization, Opens New Service Center in Oakland

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence. The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Façade of the new community center for A Safe Place opening on May 10 in Oakland. Courtesy photo.

By Courtney Slocum Riley

Special to The Post

Oakland-Bay Area non-profit, A Safe Place, announces the grand opening of its newly purchased building in Oakland that will be a service center for families that have suffered from domestic violence.

The new, two-story building has over six new service rooms for counseling, mental health support groups, legal services, children’s treatment, safe space for community engagement, and partnership activities.

Domestic violence occurrences and offenses account for a considerable amount of all violent crimes in Alameda County. A Safe Place is attempting to provide a safe place for families to heal. A Safe Place is the only comprehensive domestic violence assistance program including a safehouse, in Oakland.

The grand opening celebration will also serve as a fundraiser to build out healing, therapeutic spaces for children and adult victims and survivors and survivors of domestic violence (male and female).

The new service center will expand the work of the organization, founded in 1976 when a group of women working in San Francisco came together to address the urgent need for a shelter in the East Bay. A year later, they founded A Safe Place (ASP) in Oakland. Run solely by volunteers, they set up a crisis line to offer crisis counseling and information to battered women and their children.

The organization serves over 500 adults and children annually through a host of services including crisis counseling via 24-hour crisis line, emergency motel and safehouse sheltering, mental health services (counseling and support groups).

Under the leadership of Executive Director, Carolyn Russell, the organization has grown from a single program into the comprehensive domestic violence and assistance program. ASP strives to meet the growing and diverse needs of our growing community.

The organization hopes to complete all the upgrades and therapeutic room improvements by August 2024. The public is invited to donate to the effort by using the website at www.asafeplace.org/donate. The organization also accepts in-kind gifts as well as items from the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.