HUNTING FOR HEALTH
Thank You for making this year's event a success!
HISTORY OF THE P.C.U.P.S. FOUNDATION & HUNTING FOR HEALTH
Traditions are practices that are passed down between generations. Sport and Recreation, including hunting, is considered a tradition that requires a great amount of skill, patience, and dedication. Three valuable characteristics that are often taught best by our predecessors—such as a father, grandfather, uncle, or friend. For some, the tradition of hunting partners and teammates are simply a means for bonding, and three long-time friends—Tom Albrecht, Shane Strickler, and Paul Lamm—believe this to be true.
After Tom’s father fell victim to cancer in 1999, both Shane and Paul, along with their fathers, made it their mission to keep Tom engaged with the tradition of hunting. Year after year, they would make an annual trip to the Rooster Ranch to enjoy a day in the field hunting pheasants. That tradition provided an opportunity to celebrate friendship, strengthen their character, and remember those that were responsible for introducing them to sport and recreation, like hunting. In recent years, Tom, Shane, and Paul have had the privileged to share this tradition with their children, nephews, and many others.
Reflecting back, this annual trip to the Rooster Ranch in Ubly, Michigan developed a life of its own. As more friends and family became involved, the underlying focus of this field hunt turned to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.
Since 2012, the event acquired the name Hunting for Health and has blossomed into a very successful fundraiser that has gained community support as proceeds directly benefit patients through a program called P.C.U.P.S. (Prostate Cancer Understanding Prevention and Screenings) was established at Marlette Regional Hospital (MRH) to provide free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings to men. Today, these screenings have been offered to men around the Thumb Region of Michigan, including six hospitals. Funds from this event have had a direct impact by providing over 1000 free PSA screenings. Please watch the video testimonial of an individual crediting P.C.U.P.S. for recently becoming a prostate cancer survivor.
Since the aspirations for this cause continues to grow, Tom, Shane, and Paul have recently established their own 501(c)3 called the P.C.U.P.S. Foundation. The three of them remain, great friends, today, and even with their busy lifestyle, you will find them attending many sporting events with their family and friends. They intend to continue growing this event and foundation to not only provide free PSA screenings but also to help promote men’s health and wellness through their passion for sport and recreation.
Thank you for your support!!