More than 100 people gathered at River City dressed in blue ties and gowns Saturday evening to raise awareness of prostate cancer in honor of late football legend Dimitrious Stanley, who died from the illness in February 2023.

Columbus-based Brave Men Inc., started by Stanley and his wife Jessica, hosted the event – the first of its kind in Wheeling. Attendees enjoyed dinner and drinks while having opportunities to learn about prostate cancer and testing, as well as a silent auction to raise funds for the nonprofit.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men and the most diagnosed form of cancer among men in West Virginia.

Jessica Stanley said she is grateful for the “great community of people” here in Wheeling and is hopeful that the event will grow and become an annual occurrence following Saturday’s success.

“I think it’s really amazing that we’re getting some visibility down here in Wheeling. We’re a Columbus-based nonprofit so I’m really excited to have so many people here and excited to hear our mission and help us carry this on and expand to a broader community,” she said.

Stanley emphasized that Brave Men Inc.’s biggest mission is spreading awareness and helping get men comfortable talking about their health.

“We’re trying to lift the stigma that surrounds prostate cancer and educate men and get them to be proactive about their health appointments and prevent the journey that my husband and I had to go on, prevent other families from having to go through the same thing,” she said.

Keynote speaker Dr. Angelo Georges echoed Stanley’s sentiment.

“What I’m asking the men, we’re a little stubborn – we’re getting better about going in for yearly check-ups – is just follow your trends, educate yourself,” Georges, chief of internal medicine at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, said.

Georges has also been vocal about his own prostate cancer diagnosis, which he said has been a “battle” he is fighting compared to the “war” that Dimitrious Stanley fought, as Georges was able to catch it so early. Georges also called out several other men in the room that have been public about their cancer, showing how common the illness is.

Georges emphasized that prostate cancer “is not necessarily a death sentence.” Test early and often, he emphasized.

Georges also noted the importance of paying attention to trends when it comes to prostate-specific antigens, or PSAs, which can be indicators of prostate cancer. Blood testing for PSA levels is a common diagnostic tool for prostate cancer. PSAs can fluctuate naturally over time, so Georges advises getting regularly tested and paying attention to dramatic changes.

“Get your colonoscopies. Women faithfully get their mammograms and their pap smears. Get your PSA. Get your blood work,” he said.

Georges spoke highly of the late Dimitrious Stanley, a “good person taken before his time.”