This opening and the black and white images of the names-less people whose facing we cannot see-it aims to illustrate us ignoring or turning our back on what we know to be facts and what we see happening all around us- it also aims to illustrate the passive role we too often play in our own health


I would start by asking a few seemingly random questions all of which would involve the audiences relationship with a male they love-

what your dads birthday?

When is your wedding anniversary?

Who here is a father?

Anyone else's sons birthday in August?

these would be pointed to highlight events where men play a role and would aim to elicit the reptilian response or emotional response of feeling

This slide would speak to my own relationship with my father and serve as a platform to convey his story and engage with the audience on their own-

By a show of hands who here has lost a loved one or has a story similar to mine?

Clearly we have a problem

This play on words (titles) would illustarate the story of my friend Dan who seemingly felt he has to ignore his "mild" symptoms to ensure his military duty was filled and his family was taken care of during his transition- I left the photo blank for class purposes but would fill the bubble with a photo of me and him from our high school yearbook-This also is a talking point and transition into the preventable nature and foreshadowing of the upcoming data

As an aside- Thanks to the amazing surgeons at UAB Dan is doing great post surgery but has an upcoming body scan and I do not want to jinx it by using his picture- crazy but true so i wanted to give you the backstory Professor.

This slide will be the platform for the story of my old coworker who over time felt symptoms but ignored or self diagnosed it as a hernia.

When I think of this story I know this rare form of cancer may have been very bad "luck" I have to argue anything earlier maybe could have given him more than the short week he had from diagnosis to death- things tend to build for some time and then come to a quick end- as was the case with Vince- sure covid maybe made it much worse but this was accelerated by his fear of doctors and workaholic mentality- both of which made him him!

Again I would ask the audience for their input and stories and make the point that sadly- we all know a Vince.

This would culminate what we already have established through the stories and be a pointed delivery of the statistics surrounding mens habits around annual checkups.

How can this happen?

44% less likely across multiple countries to have had their physical checkup

25% more likely to cancel or move their physical/bloodwork

Perception of masculinity and how the "duties of a man" or perceptions of manhood often work against the ones we love

This is in color on purpose- the color symbolizes the change and call to action as well as the highlights many relationships- how many relationships can you see involving men in this one family photo-

whats the impact if one of them was to die of preventable disease?

Extrapolate that to a global scale...

This slide would end with a call to action-

"I know its usually rude to text during a presentation but I want everyone to take out their phone right now make a call- shoot a text-schedule a lunch- just pick someone - I am sure someone comes to mind for each of us- tell them how much you love them and ask them to make sure they are taking care of themselves and keeping their appointments"