Become a volunteer
It’s good for your health
Did You Know?
After confronting prostate cancer, your loved ones or you yourself may be looking for an activity to put a smile back on your face and to give others the same support you received during this trial.
Yes, you understand: volunteering for an organization near you or for PROCURE could be a good way for you to feel better!
Volunteering improves health
It’ has been proven that giving a little bit of our time to a cause we care about has a positive effect on our health. In the UK, several studies have been reviewed and their results have been published in the BMC Public Health journal. They have found that, on average, volunteers are happier and live longer.
Becoming a PROCURE volunteer
It is always better to volunteer when the cause is important to you. If prostate cancer affects you, volunteering for PROCURE on a regular or occasional basis could make a difference not just in your life, but also in someone else’s life.
Depending on your interests, availability, and experience, we can suggest several activities that will allow you to contribute to our organization in your own way. Here are some of the options available to you:
- Participate in our awareness events (volunteer, photographer, social media)
- Promote our annual conferences by phone or in your area
- Man our kiosks and represent PROCURE to publicly promote our organization
- Provide telephone support to people with prostate cancer and their families if you have experienced doing this
- Helping out with office work to support our administration
- Translating and editing the content of our publications (Web, newsletter, correspondence)
- Sometimes, just being there to ask if we need help, is helping and motivating in itself.
If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer experience, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are at your disposal to answer your questions and welcome you to our team of volunteers!
How to get involved
Are you looking to make a difference?
Are prostate cancer and the development of research tool to fight against cancer causes that are important to you?
Become a volunteer for PROCURE!
With your help, we can increase our public outreach and raise awareness of this disease. Get involved now by filling out the registration form. Do not hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Some volunteers have become PROCURE Ambassadors. We chose one of their testimonials to inspire you.
Michel Beaulieu
An amazing PROCURE ambassador known for his dedication, support, and outstanding contribution to the cause.
“At the start, my involvement was to support all those affected by this disease in their rehabilitation efforts, while helping to support PROCURE in its mission, a cause that was close to my heart, having known men affected by the disease. Prostate cancer. It’s true that “cancer” is a scary word. We often hear it and we know that prostate cancer affects one in seven Quebeckers. But I would never have thought that I would be affected. I must admit that at 49 years old and being pretty fit, I had a hard time getting across the island of Montreal after hearing the famous word cancer. But it was by undergoing this ordeal that I understood how important support is. My teammates from the Les Évadés|L’Empreinte team, participants in the Tour du Courage PROCURE since 2013, and Laurent Proulx from PROCURE, were there for me when I needed them most. And they still are. I understand today the courage and determination of survivors and their loved ones, in the face of this disease. I know that my involvement in the cause is making a real difference in the lives of those affected by this cancer. And knowing that I can bring a ray of hope to my peers touches me deeply. It is for this reason that I will continue to be involved for the cause, which is now my own.”
Recognition and Awards
Awards, recognition, and paying tribute to our volunteers
Volunteering is the most basic act of citizenship and philanthropy in society. It means putting yourself at the service of others and giving your time, energy and skills freely. Volunteer work is rewarding in all sectors of society: health, education, social services, youth, culture, sports and recreation, arts, and the environment. While the contribution of volunteers is undeniable, their work is not always fully recognized because they often work behind the scenes.
That is why we give our volunteers the recognition that is due. By paying tribute to them, we shed light on the crucial importance of their past, present, and future contributions to the prostate cancer case, the most prolific cancer of all male cancers.
Our gratitude to our volunteers is expressed in many ways at PROCURE:
- Verbally at public events or events
- A letter of recognition on behalf of the Board of Directors. For students, the number of hours can be specified if their school curriculum requires
- Recognition in our annual newsletter
- Recognition in our annual report
- The “Founding President” Award presented annually to the Volunteer of the Year
The “Founding President” Award
Every year, this award is presented to a volunteer for his or her outstanding contributions to PROCURE. This formal recognition takes place at one of our flagship events—the PROCURE March of Courage in June—in front of the public. Official photos are taken and broadcast across our communication platforms. Here are the recipients of this prestigious award.
2017-Michel Beaulieu
Congratulations to Michel Beaulieu, 2017 recipient of the “Founding President” award, PROCURE Ambassador recognized for his dedication, support, and exceptional contributions to the cause and unwavering fidelity since the first edition of the PROCURE Tour of Courage in 2010. Thank you Michel, you give hope to the 12 Quebeckers who are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.
2016-Ghislain Lapointe
Congratulations to Ghislain Lapointe, 2016 recipient of the “Founding President” award for his outstanding contributions to PROCURE. This is why we would like to acknowledge the invaluable support and generosity of Ghislain Lapointe to the prostate cancer cause. Thank you Ghislain, you are making a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease!
2015-Gaspard Fauteux
Congratulations to Gaspard Fauteux, 2015 recipient of the “Founding President” award, for his outstanding contributions to PROCURE and for his tireless dedication in working with the National Assembly to adopt a motion to make November 19, Québec Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Thank you Gaspard, for your invaluable support of the prostate cancer cause.
2014-Peter Tetreault
Congratulations to Peter Tetreault, 2014 recipient of the “Founding President” award, for his outstanding contribution to PROCURE. This former Director of the Brome-Missisquoi Prostate Cancer Support and Awareness Group and a survivor himself has dedicated himself to the cause and has demonstrated exemplary generosity in his manifestations and goals in advancing the cause. Thank you Peter for highlighting the needs of a support group
2011/2012-Gilles Falardeau
Congratulations to Gilles Falardeau, recipient of the “Founding President” award in 2011 and 2012, for his outstanding contributions to PROCURE. This prostate cancer survivor not only acts as an ambassador to organizations such as the SQ, the SPVM and the Canadian Armed Forces, but is also the reason for awareness campaigns across Québec and the “race” part of our Walk. Thank you Gilles for your wonderful work.
Will you be next?
Become a volunteer
Become a volunteer
Become a volunteer
After confronting prostate cancer, your loved ones or you yourself may be looking for an activity to put a smile back on your face and to give others the same support you received during this trial. Yes, you understand: volunteering for an organization near you or for PROCURE could be a good way for you to feel better!
Volunteering improves health: It’ has been proven that giving a little bit of our time to a cause we care about has a positive effect on our health. In the UK, several studies have been reviewed and their results have been published in the BMC Public Health journal. They have found that, on average, volunteers are happier and live longer.
Becoming a PROCURE volunteer
It is always better to volunteer when the cause is important to you. If prostate cancer affects you, volunteering for PROCURE on a regular or occasional basis could make a difference not just in your life, but also in someone else’s life.
Depending on your interests, availability, and experience, we can suggest several activities that will allow you to contribute to our organization in your own way. Here are some of the options available to you:
- Participate in our awareness events (volunteer, photographer, social media)
- Promote our annual conferences by phone or in your area
- Man our kiosks and represent PROCURE to publicly promote our organization
- Provide telephone support to people with prostate cancer and their families if you have experienced doing this
- Helping out with office work to support our administration
- Translating and editing the content of our publications (Web, newsletter, correspondence)
- Sometimes, just being there to ask if we need help, is helping and motivating in itself.
If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer experience, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are at your disposal to answer your questions and welcome you to our team of volunteers!
Are you looking to make a difference?
With your help, we can increase our public outreach and raise awareness of this disease. Get involved now by filling out the registration form. Do not hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Some volunteers have become PROCURE Ambassadors. We chose one of their testimonials to inspire you.
Michel Beaulieu, an amazing PROCURE ambassador known for his dedication, support, and outstanding contribution to the cause.
“At the start, my involvement was to support all those affected by this disease in their rehabilitation efforts, while helping to support PROCURE in its mission, a cause that was close to my heart, having known men affected by the disease. Prostate cancer. It’s true that “cancer” is a scary word. We often hear it and we know that prostate cancer affects one in seven Quebeckers. But I would never have thought that I would be affected. I must admit that at 49 years old and being pretty fit, I had a hard time getting across the island of Montreal after hearing the famous word cancer. But it was by undergoing this ordeal that I understood how important support is. My teammates from the Les Évadés|L’Empreinte team, participants in the Tour du Courage PROCURE since 2013, and Laurent Proulx from PROCURE, were there for me when I needed them most. And they still are. I understand today the courage and determination of survivors and their loved ones, in the face of this disease. I know that my involvement in the cause is making a real difference in the lives of those affected by this cancer. And knowing that I can bring a ray of hope to my peers touches me deeply. It is for this reason that I will continue to be involved for the cause, which is now my own.”
Awards, recognition, and paying tribute to our volunteers
Volunteering is the most basic act of citizenship and philanthropy in society. It means putting yourself at the service of others and giving your time, energy and skills freely. Volunteer work is rewarding in all sectors of society: health, education, social services, youth, culture, sports and recreation, arts, and the environment. While the contribution of volunteers is undeniable, their work is not always fully recognized because they often work behind the scenes.
That is why we give our volunteers the recognition that is due. By paying tribute to them, we shed light on the crucial importance of their past, present, and future contributions to the prostate cancer case, the most prolific cancer of all male cancers.
Our gratitude to our volunteers is expressed in many ways at PROCURE:
- Verbally at public events or events
- A letter of recognition on behalf of the Board of Directors. For students, the number of hours can be specified if their school curriculum requires
- Recognition in our annual newsletter
- Recognition in our annual report
- The “Founding President” Award presented annually to the Volunteer of the Year
The “Founding President” Award
Every year, this award is presented to a volunteer for his or her outstanding contributions to PROCURE. This formal recognition takes place at one of our flagship events—the PROCURE March of Courage in June—in front of the public. Official photos are taken and broadcast across our communication platforms. Here are the recipients of this prestigious award.
Congratulations to Michel Beaulieu, 2017 recipient of the “Founding President” award, PROCURE Ambassador recognized for his dedication, support, and exceptional contributions to the cause and unwavering fidelity since the first edition of the PROCURE Tour of Courage in 2010. Thank you Michel, you give hope to the 18 Quebeckers who are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.
Congratulations to Ghislain Lapointe, 2016 recipient of the “Founding President” award for his outstanding contributions to PROCURE. This is why we would like to acknowledge the invaluable support and generosity of Ghislain Lapointe to the prostate cancer cause. Thank you Ghislain, you are making a difference in the lives of people affected by this disease!
Congratulations to Gaspard Fauteux, 2015 recipient of the “Founding President” award, for his outstanding contributions to PROCURE and for his tireless dedication in working with the National Assembly to adopt a motion to make November 19, Québec Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. Thank you Gaspard, for your invaluable support of the prostate cancer cause.
Congratulations to Peter Tetreault, 2014 recipient of the “Founding President” award, for his outstanding contribution to PROCURE. This former Director of the Brome-Missisquoi Prostate Cancer Support and Awareness Group and a survivor himself has dedicated himself to the cause and has demonstrated exemplary generosity in his manifestations and goals in advancing the cause. Thank you Peter for highlighting the needs of a support group.
Congratulations to Gilles Falardeau, recipient of the “Founding President” award in 2011 and 2012, for his outstanding contributions to PROCURE. This prostate cancer survivor not only acts as an ambassador to organizations such as the SQ, the SPVM and the Canadian Armed Forces, but is also the reason for awareness campaigns across Québec and the “race” part of our Walk. Thank you Gilles for your wonderful work
Will you be next?
Discover our animated video!
Symptoms, risk and screening
Are you over 50 years old, or have you been having urinary problems for some time now? This video is for you! Several diseases can affect your prostate, and it’s important to detect them early. Let’s take a closer look.
Anatomy
What is the prostate
The prostate is a gland:
- Located between the bladder and the penis, just in front of the rectum;
- Formed of 2 lobes which surround the urethra, a canal that runs through the center of the prostate, from the bladder to the penis, letting urine and sperm flow out of the body;
- The size of a walnut, which grows larger in size in your forties;
- That has a soft, spongy texture to the touch like a small, ripe plum.
The prostate is made of:
- Gland cells that secrete liquids for ejaculation;
- Muscle cells that participate in the evacuation of your sperm during ejaculation;
- Fiber cells that maintain the structure of the gland.
Around the prostate, we find:
- The seminal vesicles, glands that produce sperm and that are located on either side of the prostate;
- The vas deferens, the tube that carries sperm from the testicle to the seminal vesicles;
- The nerve bundles that control your bladder and erectile function and that are located on either side of your prostate.
Structure
Three main zones of the prostate
Peripheral zone
- The peripheral zone is the largest area of the prostate. It can easily be felt by the doctor during a digital rectal exam (DRE).
- Most prostate cancers start in the peripheral zone.
Transition zone
- This is the area located in the middle of the prostate, between the peripheral and central areas. It surrounds your urethra that runs through the prostate.
- With age, the transitional area increases in size until it becomes the largest portion of your prostate. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate.
Central zone
- It is the part of the prostate that is farthest from the rectum. This is why prostate tumors located in this area can not be felt by the doctor during a digital rectal examination.
- If the doctor is in doubt, the following information will help decide if additional investigation is necessary:
- Your PSA level
- Your age and family history
- Your ethnic origin
Fonction
In short
Your fertility and natural fertilization
- It produces … a prostatic fluid rich in enzymes, proteins and minerals that nourishes and protects your spermatozoa.
- It makes … a protein (APS) that is used to liquefy your sperm to facilitate the mobility of your spermatozoa.
- It allows … ejaculation by contracting.
- It promotes … fertility through its enzymes facilitating the penetration of sperm through the cervix.
- It is not related to the mechanism of erection. Therefore, the origin of erectile dysfunction lies elsewhere.
Additional details
Exocrine Function
The prostate is made up of thousands of tiny fluid-producing glands. Specifically, the prostate is an exocrine gland. Exocrine glands are so-called because they secrete through ducts to the outside of the body (or into a cavity that communicates with the outside). Sweat glands are another example of an exocrine gland.
The fluid that the prostate gland produces forms part of semen, the fluid that carries sperm during orgasm. This fluid, produced in the prostate, is stored with sperm in the seminal vesicles. When the male climaxes, muscular contractions cause the prostate to secrete this fluid into the urethra, where it is expelled from the body through the penis.
Urine Flow
The prostate wraps itself around the urethra as it passes from the bladder to the penis. Prostatic changes can affect urine flow. Increasing the size of the prostate or muscle tone may impede the flow of urine due to the close anatomical relationship between the urethra and the prostate.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
The prostate also produces a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA is released with the ejaculatory fluid and can also be traced in the bloodstream. The testing of PSA levels in the blood is used to detect prostate cancer. The level of PSA in the blood is usually measured in nanograms of PSA per milliliter of blood (ng/mL).
A raised PSA level
Usually, a PSA rate of less than 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood is normal, but age should also be taken into consideration as PSA levels gradually increase with age. A rise in PSA concentration may indicate the presence of:
- An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
- An inflammation or infection of the prostate (prostatitis)
- A prostate cancer
Your doctor will have you undergo other tests to determine the exact cause of the increase in your PSA.
We are here for you
You have questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate. Contact us at 1-855-899-2873 to discuss with one of our nurses specialized in uro-oncology. They are there to listen, support and answer your questions, and those of your family or your loved ones. It’s simple and free, like all of our other services.
Also take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease, our expert lectures, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you, our events and ways to get involved to advance the cause..
Staying Informed
Pages that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.
The latest PROCURE news that might interest you
Every week we publish a blog article. Here are some for you.
The medical content and editorial team at PROCURE
Our team is composed of urologists, and nurses certified in uro-oncology with a deep knowledge of prostate cancer and other diseases related to the genitourinary system. Meet our staff by clicking here.
Sources and references
- Prostate Cancer – Understand the disease and its treatments; Fred Saad, MD, FRCSC and Michael McCormack, MD, FRCSC, 4th et 5th editions
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Prostate Cancer Foundation-PCF.org
- National Cancer Institute-USA
- American Cancer Society
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Prostate Cancer UK
Last medical and editorial review: September 2023
Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved
