Washington County nonprofit shares important message about men’s health

Daniel Lucas and his father Danny Lucas Sr. have a love for motorcycles.

Fifteen years ago, the two took a father/son trip to Key West, but as it turns out, it would be the last motorcycle trip Danny Sr. was able to take.

Just a few months later, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and a 14-year-and-counting battle ensued.

“My dad has stage four prostate cancer and initially, they did surgery that left him incontinent and impotent. They weren’t able to get all of the cells, so he did a round of radiation and we thought it was gone,” Daniel said.

The cancer returned, this time in his lymph nodes. Danny underwent chemotherapy and again, the family thought they were in the clear.

“Today, he’s on full hormonal therapy; 12 different pharmaceuticals a day. The side effects have debilitated him, and the goal is to keep the cancer from getting into his bones,” Daniel said.

After watching his father fight the disease for a decade, Daniel wanted to share what he had learned with other men.

He created Customs Kicking Cancer (CKC), a Venetia-based nonprofit providing education and free prostate-specific antigen testing.

Experts say the PSA test is the key to finding prostate cancer early, and too often, men aren’t receiving the test early enough or at all.

Daniel began setting up a booth at the prime spots one might find a 55-year-old man: motorcycle and car shows. But, he soon recognized another challenge.

They don’t want to talk about prostate health.

“We restored my dad’s old bike and turned it into a show bike. Now, we go to these bike rallies across the country and set the bike out there, and they’ve got to come over and check it out,” Daniel said. “I get it. If I’m at a motorcycle rally, the last thing I want to do is talk about prostate cancer but when they come to see the bike, three minutes in, I have an opportunity to talk about my charity.”

He said guys often tell him they’re “all set” because they’re getting regular colonoscopies.

“If you’re not getting an annual PSA test, you’re not all set. It’s a quick blood draw and early detection is everything,” Daniel said.

He has heard many men say they don’t have a regular doctor, or they don’t have medical insurance. So, Daniel took things a step further by offering free screenings at his booth.

“If you come to me at 38 years old and want to get your PSA tested, I’ll give you one for free. My hope in the future is, if someone wants to learn more or if you aren’t sure if you should be tested, give me a call,” he said. “We want to make sure no one is ever in the situation my dad is in.”

At the moment, Lucas is paying for the test kits, booth rentals and travel to motorcycle rallies across the country.

Donations and sponsorships are needed, and all funds will go toward the free screenings.

In order to spread awareness, Lucas is petitioning the NFL to wear light blue during September, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. To support CKC, follow their Facebook page and sign their petition or visit