PHEN was founded in 2003 by Thomas A. Farrington, a prostate cancer survivor.PHEN's mission is to eliminate the African American prostate cancer disparity, and to increase the overall support and resources for a war on prostate cancer that will lead to a cure for the disease for the benefit of all men.
PHEN implements these national initiatives towards achieving its mission:
• The PHEN Survivor Network was established in 2003 and is successfully mobilizing Black prostate cancer survivors to work collectively towards eliminating the racial disparity.
• Support Group Meetings and Webcasts since 2003 in partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and other partners. The meetings bring survivors and their families together to learn about new prostate cancer developments, treatments and clinical trials.
• The "Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit" began in 2005 to address policy, medical and community outreach initiatives to eliminate the prostate cancer racial disparity.
• PHEN Online Television began broadcasting in 2007 reaching men and their families at home with educational program content developed from PHEN's meetings, summits and other relevant programs. Programs are available at PHENTV.com
• The "Annual Father's Day Rally" was launched in 2009 in partnership with churches nationwide who hold a special recognition and prayer for prostate cancer survivors and loved ones impacted by the disease during their Father's Day services.
• PHEN's Educational Symposiums and Webinars began in 2013 as an outgrowth of its church partnerships. These programs are now structured as in-person with PHEN church partners, or as online virtual programs.
• PHEN's Clinical Trials Rally was launched in 2017 to raise the awareness and knowledge about prostate cancer clinical trials to increase African American participation. PHEN clinical trials information is available at PHENTrials.com
• The Daddy's Boys Stage Play began performing in 2018 using entertainment to attract larger audiences for PHEN's educational outreach efforts with partners around the country. Daddy's Boys film episodes were released beginning in 2020.
• PHEN's PHENPath.com patient education portal was released in 2020 to provide prostate cancer treatment pathways and options based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's treatment guidelines. PHENPath.com serves as the foundation for the Prostate Cancer Treatments Education and Empowerment initiative.
• The PHENPSA.com education portal was released in 2021 to educate the public about the importance of prostate cancer early detection screening and to provide guidance.
• PHEN's Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally was launched in 2021 as a broad education and awareness initiative to increase knowledge about the African American prostate cancer crisis, and to mobilize action by local leaders and patients within states and cities to join PHEN in its efforts to actively address the disparity.
