Sandy Springs' county commissioner wants North Fulton men to learn from his experience: get screened early.

Fulton County District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis disclosed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025. He caught it early enough to develop a treatment plan with his doctors, and now he's turning that experience into a free community health event for the district he represents, which includes Sandy Springs.

"Lots of guys won't see a doctor unless we absolutely must," Ellis said in a Fulton County Board of Health announcement. "Thanks to our partnership with the Winship Cancer Institute, our Men's Health Tailgate event will make it free, easy and convenient for men to get a prostate cancer screening. A few minutes can save a life."

The Men's Health Tailgate runs Thursday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fulton County's Health & Human Services – North facility, 4700 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta. It's free. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

Emory's Winship Cancer Institute will provide free blood-test prostate cancer screenings on-site. The Fulton County Board of Health will offer additional screenings and a Men's Health Playbook, while the county's Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities will host a "Time Out for Mental Health" session. The Department of Senior Services will provide nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian through its "Nutrition for Champions" program.

Atlanta Falcons mascot Freddie Falcon will greet participants from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The numbers

In Georgia, an estimated 6,000 new prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2026, with more than 700 deaths, according to the Board of Health. Nationally, a man learns he has prostate cancer every 90 seconds. Men are half as likely as women to seek preventive care and screenings, and their life expectancy is six years lower.

In an Aug. 3 press release announcing the event, Ellis said his goal is "to offer men fun ways to take care of themselves. So many dads, husbands, brothers, and uncles leave us too soon."

Residents can RSVP at menshealthtailgate.eventbrite.com.

Upcoming community events