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TORONTO, ONT. — The Walnut Foundation has announced International Union of Painters and Allied Trades business representative Ivan Dawns as honorary chairperson for its annual Walk The Path Walkathon in Brampton, Ont.

The event, in its ninth rear of operation, is the main fundraiser for the foundation. The walkathon takes place on June 3 along the Etobicoke Creek Trail in Brampton.

The foundation is a black men’s health support and education group with a focus on prostate health. Its awareness messages note that black men are disproportionally impacted by prostate cancer and they often are afflicted at an earlier age, so monitoring for prostate cancer is recommended to start around age 40.

The foundation co-authored a recent study led by Dr. Aisha Lofters of the University of Toronto looking at immigrant men in Ontario. The report confirms other global studies that indicate that Caribbean and West African men are disproportionately impacted by prostate cancer.

“At the Walnut Foundation we believe the union movement can play a huge role in this education and support effort for all men and hence the attempt to engage with brother Dawns,” reads a release from the foundation.