CSUB alum makes history

By Jaclyn Loveless

Two CSUB alumni, along with the help of Kaiser Permanente, have come together to increase cancer awareness. Rudy Hernandez, a CSUB alumnus and current graduate student, has collaborated with fellow CSUB alumnus and the southern San Joaquin Valley's 32nd district Assemblyman, Kevin McCarthy, to designate October as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month in California.

The month urges men to conduct self-exams and also asks doctors to focus on teaching men more about the importance of self-examinations. "Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American men between the ages of 15 and 40, and kills about 400 men each year," McCarthy said. "The cure rate is above 90 percent when the cancer is detected and treated early, but many men are too embarrassed to seek the treatment that could save their lives." The American Cancer Society estimates that every year 7,600 young men are diagnosed with testicular cancer. Symptoms include a lump or sore on the testicle, pain or soreness, a persistent cough, blood in the urine and stomach and bowel problems.

McCarthy introduced the measure, Assembly Resolution 22, at the request of Hernandez. In April 2004 Hernandez, then 28, was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He is now cancer free and dedicated to educating the community. "Assemblyman McCarthy is helping me fight this disease and bring awareness to California residents that will potentially save hundreds and even thousands of men's lives," Hernandez said.

The cancer survivor met McCarthy last May at the CSUB Alumni Association's annual Party in the Park wine tasting, an event that raises money for the alumni scholarship fund. "The great thing about this is that we are alumni and we met at an alumni event," McCarthy said. "This all started with Rudy coming up to me and talking with me about his own experience. I give all the credit really to Rudy," he added. "I did the part of moving it forward."

Hernandez is now working towards his master's degree in medical social work at CSUB. "I will help patients and families find hope when there is no hope available," he said. "I want to train and manage social workers in an oncology hospital and give them the proper understanding it takes to help cancer patients fighting for their lives."

Kaiser has also come on board with plans to help increase awareness. "Physicians will help increase awareness of testicular cancer by providing our young, male members with educational materials and discussing the importance of testicular self-exams," said Natalie Erlendson, Kaiser Permanente public affairs. Erlendson also said company plans to place posters and fliers in examination rooms encouraging male members to talk to their doctors about the disease if they feel they may be at risk.

After graduation Hernandez plans to go for his social work license. In addition, he volunteers at his Kaiser oncologist's office and would like to start his own non-profit organization to benefit the families of cancer patients. "Many family members must use vacation and sick time to take off to be with their cancer stricken relatives," he said. "I would like my organization to help those family members with additional financial support so they may spend more time with their sick loved ones."