I was pleased to read the recent piece by Supervisor Venditto (Aug. 31), in which he talks about the importance of early diagnosis of prostate cancer. In addition to the prostate screening he mentioned, I would like to add that Cancer Care, Long Island will be giving free prostate cancer screenings during their fourth annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk and 5K Competitive Run, which will take place on Sept. 22 at Zachs Bay, Jones Beach. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., at parking field #5.

The goal of this event is to draw public attention to this disease, the leading form of cancer in men, which, when diagnosed at an early stage, is extremely treatable. Long Island hospitals and drug companies will have booths from which they will provide helpful information. In addition, many New York politicians and local celebrities will be present to offer their support. In addition to speaking, the grand marshall, former "Miracle Met" Ed Kranepool, will cut the ribbon on the competitive run. Former quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Len Dawson will speak, as well as prominent physicians in the area.

Federal funding for research for prostate cancer now stands at $1.62 billion for AIDS, $550 million for breast cancer, and a relatively paltry sum of $80 million for prostate cancer, a clear inequity for a disease so rampant among American men. The lifetime projection for men being diagnosed with prostate cancer is 40 percent and climbing.

Prostate cancer awareness is also very important. Prostate cancer is a subject no men want to talk about. How many men, unless pushed by their wives for a required annual physical, get tested for prostate cancer? Men just don't want to deal with this subject, yet, it is the second leading cause of male deaths. Left untreated it is a horrible relentless disease, but with early detection it is treatable and survivable.

Even with celebrities such as Joe Torre, Rudy Giuliani and Bob Dole acknowledging their battles with prostate cancer, more publicity is needed to get the message out.

Please join us for the Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk and 5K Competitive Run, on Sept. 22. Bring your family to help spread the word. There will be trophies for the competitive 5K Run in every age category, male and female. There will be entertainment and plenty of refreshments. Take a step, save a life! For information and registration, call Cancer Care, Long Island at 364-8130.

Rhonda Samuel

Vice President Board of Managers, Cancer Care LI

Co-Chair, Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk and 5K Competitive Run