I had the opportunity to meet Tom Milana Jr., his wife Adriana and daughter at Milana Family Foundation 4th annual Golf & Poker Event at Fresh Meadow Country Club to support Caveman Health. Man Cave Health was founded after Milana was diagnosed with prostate cancer following regular doctor visits. Milana is an entrepreneur, entrepreneur, and philanthropist with an excellent track record of building successful companies and non-profits.
After her diagnosis, Milana realized that almost all men neglect their health and that men’s health care is not where it should be. It’s rare for men to speak about their medical condition and is usually taught at a young age to “hold it” because that is what boys do. If you show your emotions, you run the risk of being made fun of or even intimidated. Unfortunately, pushing through years of pain and injury, often leads to ignoring the symptoms of sickness that may occur in your 30s, 40s and 50s. With this in mind and thanks to Milana’s diagnosis, the Milana Family created Man Cave Health, which is a special patient care model that combines educational resources, emotional support, and the latest medical technology in a space where men feel snug talking about their health.
Milana says that “men take better care of their cars than they take care of their bodies”, so the organization created a sports-themed facility to help take care of those with medical difficulties. Their facility replaces the typical doctor’s office clinical setting with a luxurious waiting room with “masculine décor”, which includes items from local sports teams, flat-screen televisions, leather seating and a coffee shop together with educational resources about the prostate and other illnesses. Mount Sinai Health System in New York City revealed the first official Cave of Man at a Midtown urology practice and several other “Cave of Man” to be opened statewide.
The 4th annual Man Cave Golf & Poker event kicked off with a free Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening by Bioreference Laboratories Inc. and GenPath for the attendees, which is uncommon for an event. Golfers enjoy delicious food and drink all day long. Despite the uncooperative weather, attendees share laughs as they speak about business and their favourite New York sports teams. (I believe the Yankees have an edge with this crowd!) The evening concluded with dinner, a President Trump impersonator and poker to support the cause.
“My family and I are very grateful to BioReference Laboratories and GenPath for participating in providing free on-site PSA testing to all male participants at our event,” said Milana. “We are touched by all of our friends who are like family and our sponsors who support us in our mission to bring awareness to Man Cave Health and our goal to save lives. I know we are on the right track and we look forward to too many more successful events.”
Ranging in age from 14 to their mid-20s, Milana’s five daughters were right by their parents’ side helping to make a difference to those who needed the support and resources they now provide at Man’s Cave. “I am very proud that my family has the vision to launch the first Human Cave Health on Mount Sinai this year, and I know it will be the first of many things,” said Milana’s daughter, Giulia. “My dad is lucky to be a prostate cancer survivor and I’m sure he will do everything in his power to spread awareness and save lives.”
A special family and that I look forward to sharing their Man Cave trip with you all year long.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Man Cave Health, please don’t hesitate to contact us. For more information visit www.mancavehealth.org. You too can be involved Facebook, Twitter And Instagram.
