WARREN, Ohio — ​Six lawyers at Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, the Mahoning Valley’s largest law firm, have again suspended their shaving routines during November to raise awareness of critical men’s health issues.

HHM lawyer and cancer survivor Patrick K. Wilson rallied colleagues John L. Pogue, Alan D. Wenger, Martin J. Boetcher, Vito J. Abruzzino and Matthew M. Ries to help support “Movember,” an international movement that encourages men to grow facial hair as a talking point to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancers.

Movember aims to increase instances of early cancer detection, along with diagnosis and treatment that could ultimately reduce the number of cancer-related deaths.

“Our facial hair helps us draw attention in a light way to a very important subject,” Wilson said. “As men, we need to take charge of our health and get screened for prostate cancer.”

The American Cancer Society reports that, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men and the second-leading cause of cancer death behind lung cancer.

The Movember movement, in which HHM has participated for the past four years, has special significance to Wilson. He battled an aggressive form of prostate cancer in 2009 and underwent surgery in April 2010. He remains cancer-free.

Proceeds from the Movember campaign will stay local with Man Up Mahoning Valley, started in 2010 by Boardman urologist Dr. Daniel J. Ricchiuti and Humility of Mary Health Partners Foundation. Those interested in donating may write a check payable to Man Up Mahoning Valley and send it to Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, P.O. Box 6077, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.

Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell Ltd. is the area’s largest law firm, with more than 20 lawyers and offices in Warren, Youngstown and Salem. The firm provides legal solutions to corporations, other businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies and individuals.

 

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For more information, contact Patrick Wilson at HHM (pwilson@hhmlaw.com) or Dan Pecchia at Pecchia Communications (dan@pecchiacomm.com).