“It is truly an honor to be recognized by the National Prostate Cancer Coalition with this award,” Crapo said. “I have been blessed to fully recover from prostate cancer, and know that early detection was a key in that successful operation. It is important that we take full advantage of medical technology. As the first recipient of this award, I will continue to work to fulfill my commitment that I will do all I can to help others live healthy lives.”

“Senator Crapo is a champion on Capitol Hill when it comes to fighting prostate cancer—his leadership on this key issues has led to a 500 percent increase in prostate cancer research funding over the last seven years,” National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) President Richard N. Atkins, M.D., said. “Lives have been saved and the course for a cure has been accelerated because of his great commitment.”

Crapo was diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer in January of 2000; he remains cancer-free and receives regular check-ups. Since his diagnosis, he has become a strong advocate for early detection. He teamed up with former Senator Bob Dole to record public service announcements about early detection, which aired in Idaho. For the last two years, he has sponsored the Mike Crapo Health Awareness Booths at local fairs in Idaho where hundreds of early detection tests for prostate cancer (PSA tests, prostate specific antigen) have been performed for free or at a reduced cost. Plans are underway for a third year of the fair booths for this fall. Crapo has also pushed for legislative measures that would focus more attention on early detection of all cancers.

The award Crapo will receive is named for William A. Schwartz, who was a longtime activist who lost his battle with prostate cancer one year ago. Schwartz, a veteran executive of the media industry, served as vice chairman and volunteer CEO of the NPCC and in other capacities related to cancer prevention.

The NPCC is the largest advocacy organization in the country focused on prostate cancer. It was founded in 1996 to educate the public about prostate cancer. The NPCC’s goals are educating the public about the disease; reaching out to at-risk communities; engaging communities across the country in advocacy; and increasing federal funding for prostate cancer research.

The NPCC will present the award to Crapo on Tuesday, May 20, at 6:00 p.m. in Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 538, Washington, DC.

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