The Seattle Mariners and CHI Franciscan Health are paying tribute to two prostate cancer survivors and their care provider on Sunday, June 17, when the Mariners meet the Boston Red Sox. Game time is 1:10 p.m.
Keep Dad in the Game
Sunday, Father's Day, is Major League Baseball's annual "Keep Dad in the Game" event to raise awareness in the fight against prostate cancer. Mariners and Red Sox players will wear symbolic blue ribbons on their jerseys, New Era caps with blue bills and blue wristbands. MLB Charities has pledged $50,000 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation for research. Fans can join the cause by pledging a donation for each home run hit through June 17 at HomeRunChallenge.org.
Pregame Recognition
During a pregame ceremony, the Mariners and CHI Franciscan, the Mariners "Partner in Health," will recognize two longtime friends who coincidentally were diagnosed with prostate cancer a few months apart and were treated by Dr. Daniel Willis, a urologic surgeon at CHI Franciscan Health Tacoma.
Scott Vanderflute of Lakewood and Kelly Bolender of Gig Harbor met in the 1980s and bonded over their love of waterskiing. Kelly was a middle school shop teacher whose students often built skis as class projects. When he had questions about equipment, Kelly would often call Parkland Sports, a sporting goods store operated by Scott. Those calls sparked a decades long friendship.
Scott was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 and was referred by his primary care physician to Dr. Willis.
"Dr. Willis was fabulous," said Scott. "Post-surgery, everything functions well and my quality of life is good. I hope people will be encouraged to seek information about prostate cancer, because there's a fair amount of misinformation out there.'
Kelly, who has a family and personal history with cancer, had been checked regularly for prostate cancer, but when his doctor retired, there was a gap of a few years between checkups. When Kelly told Scott about his diagnosis, he immediately recommended Dr. Willis.
"Dr. Willis is a brilliant surgeon, but perhaps more important is how deeply he cares," said Kelly. "He treated me like a good friend. He's caring and easy to talk to, and his goal was 100-percent dryness and 100-percent recovery. His belief in me and my recovery helped me believe."
CHI Franciscan offers screening for prostate cancer for men ages 55-years and older and those at high risk, particularly African-American men, who are urged to talk about the risks and benefits with their urologist or family doctor.
As the Mariners Partner in Health, CHI Franciscan Health is supporting the Mariners Prostate Cancer Awareness effort by inspiring fans to get screened and promote the importance of prevention. Fans can call 1-888-400-4740 to find a CHI Franciscan doctor. For more information about prevention and screenings visit CHI Franciscan's Prostate and Urological Services page.