Community Health and Men's Promotion Summit (CHAMPS)

I have volunteered for the CHAMPS organization for a few years. As a volunteer I input data and helped participants navigate the health services provided when needed. The CHAMPS organization provides health services for men of the community each year, and with each passing year the fair becomes more elaborates: all the while remaining extremely organized. Research has proven that men do not readily seek out health services , so being able to bring the health services into the community is great idea. Being able to give back to the community and utilize my public health background via CHAMPS has been and still is very satisfying and rewarding.

I have been volunteering with CHAMPS for several years and I talk about my experience all the time to any one who will listen. I have relocated to Charlotte, NC and I will still continue to come back to Atlanta to volunteer that how much I have enjoyed it and to see it grow through the years also is a blessing. I hope to find a CHAMP family here when I start looking for volunteer work.

I have been volunteering with CHAMPS for the past few years and I enjoy it. This past year, I encouraged a couple of co-workers/friends to participate and they enjoyed working with CHAMPS as well. We were a part of the 1st line where we took the information from the participants and entered it into the database.

CHAMPS is a well organized community event that allows for individuals who are in need of numerous health screenings to receive the attention that they need but are unable to get due to their health disparities. I learned about CHAMPS will I was unemployed, wanting to give back to the community. They allowed for me to still use my expertise in health care when I did not have a job.

CHAMPS is an absolute great service; I have no form of insurance, cannot afford it, so I take advantage of all free medical check-ups. I was somewhat disappointed on my last two (so far) visits. My complete results were unavailable when I went to check out, even after I waited around to see if they would show up. I am not expecting that to happen again! Sorry I am not able to make a financial donation.

I first was introduced to CHAMPS several years ago as a client participant. I felt that the CHAMPS health fair event was an excellent approach of targeting men with the opportunity to get health check-ups for free. Because I am a personal advocate for men's health, I decided to become a part of the planning committee a couple of years ago. I have also gotten my fraternity involved as volunteers and it has become an event that we all look forward to participating. The committee is great and well organized and their hard work is reflected in the annual success of this event. This is a great service to the citizens of Atlanta and I hope it continues for years to come.

It is said that men are less likely to have a regular healthcare provider, less likely to go to the Doctor, and more likely to avoid the signs of illness until something is broke or no longer working. I've found this to be true in men that have not been educated about health risk and signs and symptoms. In those individuals they are still living by the creed that men don't cry, if it hurts suck it up (or man up), and time taken for you is time taken away from work you need to be doing to support your family. But the opposite side of that is when men are educated they treat their illness like anything else that's broken, they work hard to fix it! In my experience once educated men are more aggressive and diligent about seeking treatment and that's what makes CHAMPS so successful. Want proof come see how many men are lined up between 7:00-8:00 AM on the day of CHAMPS (the doors for services open at 10:00 AM). When Men know they ACT!

Men are much less connected to the healthcare system than women are. Men are notoriously difficult to get to go the doctor. Men don't have much information about their health, try to solve problems on their own, and often have to take off from work just to see about their health. By setting up free screenings on a weekend day, CHAMP fills a badly needed gap, overcoming concerns about cost, providing needed information and making heathcare much more convenient to men.

Champs is an excellent service for men who are uninsured or underinsured to receive early prevention and detection screenings that they otherwise could not afford.

I think, it is a very good event that is presented to the city of Atlanta and surrounding areas. It really builds health awareness to the male population of all ages and background.

CHAAMPS is a wonderful asset to the Atlanta community, providing critical and timely healthcare to men who otherwise would not recieve care. I hope they continue to grow in the community.

Last year was my first time volunteering for CHAMPS and it was a great and exciting event. I appreciate what this is doing for the community in continuous care of african american men. It is very important that these type of events are done on a regular basis. I had a great time volunteering and I look forward to this upcoming event again in September. I had a blast.

Last September was my first time volunteering with CHAMPS. It was a great experience and I was very impress by the sheer turn out of volunteers and clients. That spoke volumes to me. I look forward to volunteering again this year in September because I feel that this experience is worthy of my time.

Dr. Bennett is the founder of CHAMPS. He is also my doctor. He successfully treated me for prostate cancer and guided me through the recovery process (which was complicated). While in recovery, I attended an event in 2008. It was well organized, many physcians, nurses,a variety of healthcare personell and volunteers with no special training. Not only did patients receive a complete healthcare screening they also recieved one-on-one counseling with a physician after all tests and exams were completed - Before they walked out the door. What amazes me, in 2008 and 2009, was the large number of people who had insurance, but just do not see their doctors. The most common explanation is ductibles are so high, they feel like they do not have insurance. The cost for this type of exam, in the open market wourd be several thousand dollars. However due to the hard work of Dr. Bennett and his volunteers the actual cost is around $100/patient examined. I find that to be the best bargain in healthcare today. Cost to the patient -NOTHING. Thanks to money, products and services donated by the companies and people of Atlanta, Georgia. This started out as a prostate awareness program and is now full medical exam program. In between patients the physicians are also doing educational presentations to the audience, to give them a better grasp on better health and tips on how to stay healthy and recognize early warning sighns. Dr. Bennett saved my life. His organization CHAMPS and its volunteers every year do the same thing for any person who attends the event. Regardless of economic or insurance status. Thank You CHAMPS GAT - Former board member

This is a program that has established a legacy of men's health advocacy and service delivery in Atlanta, and beyond. It has demonstrated that adult men ARE concerned about their health and, given the opportunity, they will take advantage of health services.

CHAMPS continues to be an inspiring and valuable force for health education and awareness. Our annual event does a remarkable job of bringing together community, health professionals, and faith based organizations. Every year it continuously bears fruit, nourishing the community with health screenings, panels, and information that enable men to take charge of their own health and live longer. CHAMPS gives the community a voice and a platform to learn about prevention, early detection, and treatment. I highly recommend CHAMPS and continuing support of this endeavor.

CHAMPS is a wonderful organization!!! As a volunteer I got the chance to interact with a large number of people and most importantly I was able to help them take care of their healthcare needs. This organization is a great contributor to this community that is in desperate need of healthcare services. I very much enjoyed volunteering and will continue to do so at future events.

What a great Summit! Last year was my first time participating as a volunteer. I have 6 yrs experience working as a Microbiology Medical Tech but I currently am a public health professional. I was able to put both skills to use at the Summit. As I performed certifuges of blood samples and the nearby HIV testing line extended past my centrifuge station, I found myself talking with men who were waiting in line about why it was so important to get HIV tested.Some wanted to leave the summit and not wait any longer in the line to get tested but I convinced some that knowing your status was worth the wait...and you know what? They agreed and decided to stay in line to get tested. I can't wait to volunteer again this year!

The health fair provided FREE services to detect illness to help prevent long-term health problems. There was a overwhelming number of participants but the event did not end until all participants were evaluated.

I have been assisting with CHAMPS for six years and each year it becomes bigger and better than the previous year. CHAMPS provides a great service to the Metro Atlanta community that otherwise is not there. No where else can men come and receive $2,500. worth of free health screenings.

CHAMPS, Inc. was a creative invention and idea that has undoubtedly helped men's health over the years. We touch, on average, 400 men each year by providing education and screening. The community needs it; healthcare needs it; providers need it; the people need it!

CHAMPS is an amazing health fair. So many people came out to volunteer and even more people received valuable services that they would not have gotten otherwise.

I think that Champs is a very worthwhile organization! I think that the work that they do int he community is very much needed and respected by those whoare affected! Champs is the Champ!

Good health is fundamental to a fulfilling life.Given the harash economic times many are not as concerned with their health or they can not afford it, especially men. CHAMPS is a wonderful organization that assist with basic medical care for those who can not afford it. CHAMPS have enriched the lives of thousands!! this is a very important organization.

I have been volunteering with CHAMPS for 3 years now. This event allows access to healthcare for hundreds of people who otherwise are not be able to afford it.

I have worked the Men's Health summit for tow years and looking forward to working this year's event. It was rewarding to see so many people who would not be able to get basic health screenings do so.