3nd Annual Fund-raiser to benefit the University of Michigan Department of Urology

ANN ARBOR, MI – Independently owned and operated, Charlie’s La Shish Restaurant in Ann Arbor — soon to be Charlie’s Mediterranean Cuisine — is sponsoring a benefit to support Urologic Cancer Research at the University of Michigan Department of Urology. This third-annual fund-raiser, to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 23, will help to advance awareness, research and treatment of kidney, prostate, bladder and testicular cancer by donating 100 percent of the restaurant’s proceeds for the day.

Urologic cancers and disease affect men, women and even children. Today, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in American men, and the second leading cause of cancer death, after lung cancer. Kidney cancer is the third most common urologic cancer and bladder cancer is the fourth and ninth most common cancer in men and women, respectively. Through education, screening and early detection, most cases are curable when found before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Dr. David Wood, U-M Professor of Urology, Chief of Urology Oncology, states, “Proceeds generated from this event will be used to provide seed grants for urologic cancer research. National Institutes of Health does not support high-risk new research with grant funding until scientific projects are well underway. This event will help to ensure that funding is available for medical advancement.” He continues, “Philanthropy provides a tremendous return on investment for our donors and our patients.”

Patrons can enjoy a fine meal while supporting an important cause at the same time. Donations from the generous people who eat at Charlie’s Mediterranean Cuisine on Oct. 23 will be leveraged into larger grants worth 18 times the amount raised each year.

“We need to work together as a community to help each other by supporting cancer research,” states Charlie Bazzi, owner of Charlie’s Mediterranean Cuisine. “It’s important to appreciate the doctors by encouraging and funding their important efforts to cure and treat urologic cancer.”

The community is encouraged to join in the cause by eating at Charlie’s Mediterranean Cuisine, 2370 Carpenter Road in Ann Arbor, 734-973-2737 on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The U-M Department of Urology
The Department of Urology provides state-of-the-art medical care for both simple and complex urologic conditions. An emphasis is made on sub-specialization, providing faculty with support to develop regional and national expertise in specific areas of Urology. The Center has been consistently rated one of the best urology programs in Michigan and one of the top 15 clinical urology programs nationally by U.S. News and World Report.

The Multidisciplinary Urologic Oncology Clinic (MDUC) specializes in the detection and treatment of urologic cancers, including those of the prostate, kidneys, bladder and testes. The clinic brings together nationally recognized experts — medical oncologists, urologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists — as well as nurse practitioners and physician assistants who specialize in urologic oncology. In this clinic, the specialists work side by side so patients see every physician necessary in one visit.