HAMPTON, Va. — Charlie Hill and I stand in his Hampton home, looking at a childhood photograph where he towers over his friends — a hint of the towering impact he would later have on men's health advocacy across Hampton Roads.
Hill couldn't have known then that his life's work would make a difference for the next generation of men on Chestnut Avenue and throughout the region.
"The key point is: anybody who's interested, and who will listen, I will talk with them about prostate cancer. Again, the key is very simple: reduce suffering and save lives," Hill said.
Hill's passion stems from his own experience with two prostate cancer diagnoses, the first in 2002. Since then, he co-founded the Hampton Roads Prostate Health Forum and as of January 1st, passed the torch to new leadership.
"I'm excited because I'm free now to focus on or look at prostate cancer through the eyes of what else can we do, when can we do it, how should we do it," Hill said.
He spends countless hours conducting research and organizing outreach events, teaching other men and their families how to detect the disease early and how to navigate if they have been diagnosed.
"I cannot explain it other than this is God's work," Hill said.
For his relentless commitment to early detection and saving lives, Hill was named this week's Everyday Hero. Southern Bank also gifted him $300.
"I'm shocked. I am. I really am," Hill said. "I don't do it because I want something other than the success, reduce suffering and save lives. That's all I've wanted in this whole effort."
Hill was nominated by his childhood friend, Albernia Clark, who couldn't attend the recognition in person but joined by phone.
"Albernia, thank you very much. You caught me by surprise and I'm delighted to be recognized," Hill said during the call.
"He's always been like a very kind person, intelligent, never acted like a little child. He's always doing something for somebody," Clark said.
Hill's next goal is to raise awareness about prostate cancer year-round, not just during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September. He also wants to educate high school students about prostate cancer risks.
"[You and I] started talking about this years ago, and you were the only person in media who listened to me to the point of saying, hmm, that may be something," Hill said.
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