Local Group That Promotes Cancer Testing Launches New Campaign

There's another Real Men Get Tested for Cancer TV and Radio commercial hitting the airwaves this week in hopes of compelling men to get screened for cancer, in hopes of detecting the killer disease early.

The concept by cancer survivors Tim Reed, now a business consultant and former President of Utica Boilers and the Utica Boilermaker, and WIBX's morning host Bill Keeler, is to convince men who tend to procrastinate to make sure they follow their doctors advice and get screened for cancer. "Early detection can absolutely save a life," said Keeler.

The 501C3 through the Community Foundation of Greater Utica and the Mohawk Valley has a simple mission - advertise and pro mote the message for men to get tested. The organization consists of Keeler and Reed, and not salaries are taken from the cause.

"Every penny goes towards promoting the message that lives can be saved by early detection," said Keeler.

Reed stresses the fact that the message often times comes from a humorous angle. "There are so many commercials out there that make you want to look the other way. Our goal is to use a little humor to get the attention of men who need a little inspiration to get tested.

The latest commercial by Reed and Keeler is all about the holiday list.  "I don't have time to get screened for cancer because I have a todo list that's way too long," Keeler says.  The moral of the story is simple: if you die of cancer or end up hospitalized, the list won't get even close to being finished.