Men's Health Planned Parenthood Helps Men Too

It's Men's Health Week again, time to pass along some tips and resources.

Did you know? While more commonly known for assisting women, Planned Parenthood also provides services to men. You can check out what they can do for you here.

From Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin: Did you know that their health centers provide sexual and reproductive health care for men, like STD testing and treatment? Their doors are open to everyone.

One of the most important services available for men is Testicular & Prostate Cancer Screenings. I know may men don't like going to the doctor, for many reasons, but at PP you can setup an appointment just for this check up.

If you have questions or need assistance with reproductive or sexual health services, it may be a less intimidating or embarrassing outlet, instead of going to a regular doctor, sitting in a general practice waiting room, etc.

Former Packers Ride To End Bullying

At an event that I organize, I was able to meet Earl Dotson at a booth for Henderson Helps, an organization founded by William Henderson, former - Super Bowl winning - Green Bay Packer. He was there promoting a motorcycle ride coming up this Saturday June 15: Henderson's Ride For Hope. The cause: raising awareness and money for anti-bullying programs, something dear to my heart. You can tell these guys are truly caring about kids, Earl came by and visited the students of the BUILD Moto Mentor program to encourage them in their work.

Blind Runner Completes NYC Half-Marathon With Aid of Guide Dogs

Photo cr. Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Thomas Panek, President and CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, used dogs from the organization he manages to run in and complete a half-marathon in the New York City Marathon.

Because of the length of the run, three dogs did a relay each taking a leg of the race to help Panek run and finish. Waffle, Westley and Gus, all Labradors, accompanied Panek and each got a medal for completing in addition to Panek.

In an NPR interview, Panek explains that for a time he stopped running due to the dangers. "There was a long time where I was too scared to run. I was just afraid to get out there. And I had run in the Chicago Marathon. And about midcourse, I ran into a stake that was in the ground, didn't see it." He tried running with people to assist, but he missed the freedom of running alone when he wants to, like when he walks with a guide dog and can go anywhere at his whim.

I love the connection of humans and dogs, I can't imagine my life without one (or more) and am always inspired by the service that dogs can provide to us.This is another great story on how dogs can help people conquer things they can't do on their own.

Colectivo & Bucks Partner On Charitable Coffee

Come see what's brewin'... Oh sorry, wrong team, still, the play on words, I had to. The Milwaukee Bucks and Colectivo Coffee are partnering on a limited-edition Bucks Blend Coffee that will be featured as Colectivo’s Coffee of the Week from Monday, Feb. 25 – Sunday, March 3 at all 13 Milwaukee-area Colectivo locations. Prior to that, the coffee will be available for sampling and purchase at Bucks games tonight and Saturday, Feb. 23, at each Bucks Pro Shop location at Fiserv Forum. In addition, one-pound bags of Bucks Blend Coffee are also available for purchase on a limited basis at shop.bucks.com. One dollar from the sale of each one-pound bag will go to the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation.

Marquette Star Markus Howard Opens Up About Mental Health

Markus Howard photo courtesy Marquette University

Especially among men, even more so among high level athletes, being open about mental health struggles can be seen as a weakness. In a new ESPN video, Markus Howard of the Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball team talks about going to a weekly therapy session.

Moving on to college can be a hard thing for anyone, then add on the stress of competing at a high college level basketball program and it's not difficult to see how many athletes can struggle with all the demands. Some of the issues that these students, and we have to remember they are still young and students, struggle with and become headlines, may be avoided if more would take the approach that Howard is taking.

He and his coach, Steve Wojciechowski, talk about how they see therapy as an important part of maintaining the level, to have an outlet without the stigma of weakness.

No one should be afraid to ask for help, you aren't stronger if you go it alone and end up failing. A strong man is one who knows when to ask for help. I applaud Howard for being open about the positive steps he is taking to remain strong.