ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pro Football Hall of Famers Dick Butkus and Mike Haynes joined approximately 50 former NFL players for comprehensive medical screenings today at the Dick Butkus Heart and Vascular Screening Center at St. Joseph Hospital. The screenings are part of a nationwide Healthy Body and Mind Cardiovascular and Prostate Health Research Awareness Program sponsored by the NFL Player Care Foundation and included tests such as: coronary CT scans, EKGs, echocardiograms and prostate-specific antigen blood tests.
Although Butkus appeared to be a model of health on the outside, during a coronary calcium screening in 2001, doctors discovered an alarming buildup of calcium in the walls of his coronary arteries, putting the former Chicago Bears linebacker at high risk for a heart attack.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for that screening,” said Butkus, who some consider to be the greatest at his position in NFL history. “It doesn’t matter how healthy you think you are – knowing your risk factors, educating yourself about heart disease and getting regular screenings can save your life.”
St. Joseph Hospital Cardiologist Dr. Lawrence Santora, who treated Butkus with a quintuple bypass back in 2001, said stories like his are critical in raising awareness about the deadly disease.
“Regular heart screenings like the ones provided at today’s event are critical for adult men and women – whether you’re an athlete or not,” Santora said. “As physicians, we can’t stress the importance of getting the necessary screenings enough because, as was the case for Butkus, they can truly mean the difference between life and death.”
Recognized as one of the NFL’s greatest defensive backs, Hall of Famer Mike Haynes also attended the event to raise awareness about regular prostate screenings. After discovering he had prostate cancer in 2008 during a routine screening that saved his life, Haynes became an advocate of regular screenings and early detection. Haynes played for the New England Patriots and was a starter on the Los Angeles Raiders team that won the Super Bowl in 1983.
“Finding prostate cancer in its early stages can increase the options and success rates for treatment,” said St. Joseph Hospital Urologist Dr. Jeffrey Kaufman, who also participated in the screening event. “Getting regular screenings is a critical part of men’s overall health and well-being.”
The screenings were also sponsored by the Boone Heart Institute, the Urology Care Foundation and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. Click here for more information about the Dick Butkus Heart and Vascular Screening Center at St. Joseph Hospital.
About St. Joseph Health – St. Joseph Hospital
Founded in 1929, St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California, is a nationally recognized, 525-bed, not-for-profit Catholic hospital dedicated to extending the healing ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission and designated as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, St. Joseph Hospital’s reputation for clinical excellence and compassionate, family-centered care draws patients from all over the United States. This is one reason why St. Joseph Hospital was named one of the top 10 hospitals in the Los Angeles/Orange County area by U.S. News & World Report. With a highly recognized 1,000-member medical staff and more than 3,800 support staff, St. Joseph Hospital is home to more than 75 specialty programs, including The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, the Heart and Vascular Center and a nationally acclaimed Orthopedics program that has been ranked among the top 50 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Equally important is St. Joseph Hospital’s dedication to caring for the medically underserved through health education programs, a free-standing medical and dental clinic, and mobile health vans. St. Joseph Hospital depends on philanthropic support from the community to carry out its mission. These efforts are coordinated through the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation.
About The NFL Player Care Foundation
The NFL Player Care Foundation (PCF) is an independent organization dedicated to helping retired players improve their quality of life. PCF addresses all aspects of life – medical, emotional, financial, social and community, providing programs and assistance in each area. The Player Care Foundation hosts 10 cardiovascular and prostate screening events each year. PCF has screened over 2,500 retired NFL players since its inception in 2007 and has identified numerous life threatening medical issues that were able to be addressed immediately, saving lives. For more information about the NFL Player Care Foundation contact Dana Lihan at 954-639-4584 or Dana.Lihan@nflpcf.org.