Basic Organization Information
Us TOO International, Inc.
- Also Known As:
-
Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network
- Physical Address:
-
Downers Grove, IL
60515 5286
- EIN:
-
36-3723349
- Web URL:
-
www.ustoo.org
- NTEE Category:
-
G Disease, Disorders, Medical Disciplines
-
G30 Cancer
-
G Disease, Disorders, Medical Disciplines
-
G01 Alliance/Advocacy Organizations
-
G Disease, Disorders, Medical Disciplines
-
G19 Nonmonetary Support N.E.C.
- Year Founded:
-
1990
- Ruling Year:
-
1991
Sign in or create an account to see this organization's full address, contact information, and more!
Mission Statement
The mission of Us TOO International is to be the leading prostate cancer organization helping men and their families make informed decisions about prostate cancer detection and treatment through support, education and advocacy.
Expert Assessment
There are no Expert Reviews for this organization. Learn more about
TakeAction@GuideStar.
Impact Summary from the Nonprofit
<p>Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education & Support Network (<a href="http://www.ustoo.org">www.ustoo.org</a>) is a source of peer-to-peer support and free materials for men and their families to make informed choices on prostate cancer detection, treatment options and coping with ongoing survivorship. Founded in 1990 by prostate cancer survivors and their families who recognized that “cancer affects us, too,” the grassroots 501(c)(3) non-profit is headquartered in Illinois and works with volunteers in 325 affiliated support group chapters worldwide. A member patient advocacy organization of the National Health Council, Us TOO International has achieved compliance with the Council's Standards of Excellence, maintaining the highest standards of organizational effectiveness and public stewardship. </p>
<p>Although prostate cancer is projected to kill more than 32,000 men in the United States this year, it is not always recognized as a serious health issue. According to estimates based on new National Cancer Institute data, the number of new prostate cancer cases diagnosed exceeds the number of new breast cancer cases predicted. Just as pink is to breast cancer, blue is to prostate cancer. Us TOO wants to increase prostate cancer awareness and for people to see more blue, or SEA Blue, with SEA standing for support, educate and advocate – the primary components of Us TOO’s mission.<br /></p>
Leadership
Mr Thomas Kirk
Term:
Since
Nov
2004
Profile:
Thomas N. Kirk, President & CEO, brings over 30 years of experience as a family service leader to his new role and a personal interest in Us TOO because his father-in-law lost his battle with prostate cancer many years ago. He brings expertise in the care issues of an aging population and chronic diseases. Mr. Kirk worked for more than 13 years for the National Alzheimer's Association where he served as the Vice President of Patient, Family and Education Services, the Association?s first Director of Patient and Family Services and as a National Field Representative working in the six-state Midwestern Region. He played an active role in the growth and development of the Alzheimers Association chapter network, led efforts in national demonstration programs, developed national Care Guidelines and led the development of education and training materials for professional and family caregivers. He has also been an active advocate and spokesperson and served on a variety of grant review and advisory committees for State and Federal government agencies, professional membership organizations and nonprofit Boards throughout his career. Mr. Kirk holds a Master of Science degree from the School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he focused on Planning and Administration. Tom and his wife Margaret, who serves as the CEO for Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, share a blended family with three grown children and four grandchildren.
Highest Paid Employees & Their Compensation
Highest Paid Employee Data for 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 are included in the GuideStar Premium Report.
Upgrade Now
Report Added To Cart
Program:
Education, Awareness and Advocacy programs & services
- Budget:
-
--
- Category:
-
Health Care
- Population Served:
-
Males, all ages or age unspecified
-
Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General
-
Females, all ages or age unspecified
Program Description:
In addition to the 325 chapter support groups operating locally within the United States and in countries throughout the world, Us TOOs main prostate cancer patient programming and support services include: monthly newsletter, the HotSheet; monthly e-newsletter, Prostate Cancer NEWS You Can Use; bi-monthly newsletter, Chapter NEWS; toll free Patient HelpLine, 1-800-80-Us TOO (1-800-808-7866), Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Central; 14 online topic-specific discussion communities; comprehensive, educational web site that receives more than 5 million hits a year (www.ustoo.org), is one of the most visited prostate cancer informational Web sites available; free Resource Kit for Making Prostate Cancer Decisions for newly diagnosed or recurrent disease patients; education and support program for companions and families of prostate cancer patients entitled Circles of Love, including a Care Kit and Facilitators Discussion Guide; Us TOO University, a regional patient education symposium and volunteer training workshop program; Minority and Underserved Populations Outreach Program that, in four years, has trained more than 577 community facilitators in 19 states and the District of Columbia, and reached more than 129,865 men or their family members with a message of awareness and encouragement to take personal responsibility for their prostate health; John Moenck Memorial Resource Center, which includes books, periodicals, audio/video tapes, and other educational materials available free to chapter leaders, patients and spouses alike; Sneakers@Work Day, a workplace awareness and giving program held in September during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; <br />Pints for Prostates awareness events – reaching men through the universal language of beer; and a variety of educational publications and materials including DVDs, tapes, CD-ROMs, resource kits, books, pamphlets and prostate cancer blue ribbon awareness items. Special Patient Education Resources include: Pathways for New Prostate Cancer Patients; What Now?: Hope and Options When Experiencing a Rising PSA or When Prostate Cancer Is Not Responding to Treatment; What You Need to Know for Better Bone Health; The Prostate Cancer Playbook: Strategies for Building Teams, Optimizing Treatment and Living Well; and Spanish language brochures and DVDs.
Program Long-Term Success:
Developed and distributed new educational materials for prostate cancer survivors, their families, and our network of local support group chapters throughout the U.S. and around the globe, including: (1). Pathways for New Prostate Cancer Patients, brochure listing options for the newly diagnosed (2). Resource Kit for Making Prostate Cancer Decisions, free kit of brochures & materials for the newly diagnosed (3). The Prostate Cancer Playbook: For Prostate Cancer Recurrence, Rising PSA, and Advanced Disease (4). Good News: Prostate Cancer Recommended Resources, 2-page flyer
Program Short-Term Success:
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples:
<p>“I was in a state of shock and disbelief when my PSA rose to 8.6 after I had my prostate removed. A meeting of Us TOO put me back on earth when I learned that it happens to many men and is expected. The group then offered a variety of options and I felt alive again.”<br />Les</p>
<p>“Us TOO saved my life. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and became confused and depressed. After I learned that I was not alone, and that there were more than 175 other men who share my concern and about 40 that care for me and my feelings at the meeting, I am stronger and have hope. ”<br />Marvin</p>
<p>“I was fortunate enough to find out about Us TOO International a month before I had a radical prostatectomy. Through the members and special speakers, I was able to further confirm my choice for treatment, and get the support that we needed to help us through this difficult time. The group has been a source of camaraderie, comfort, education and resources for my wife and I over the past 2 years. Through my participation in Us TOO, I have also become actively involved in community projects that focus on early detection, and quality of life issues for other prostate cancer survivors and their families, especially in the African American community.”<br />Jerry</p>
<p>“My father passed away on July 15th after 13 years of battling prostate cancer. I thank you and your newsletter for bring me some valuable information that I am sure helped alleviate my father's condition. My consolation is that I stood with him and even struggled with doctors to get a better treatment option until the end. Today, I know more about the prostate than I do about my own female body system and that is thanks in part for your newsletter and all the research I took upon myself to do. Thank you and may God Bless you and Us TOO!”<br />Belinda<br /></p>
Evidence of Impact
Expert Comments
There are no comments available for this organization.
Organizational Strengths
Expert Comments
There are no comments available for this organization.
Areas for Improvement
Expert Comments
There are no comments available for this organization.