CHICAGO (FinalCall.com)—Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan will announce the formation of a prostate cancer foundation in his name Saturday, May 10, during a 9 a.m. press conference at Mosque Maryam, 7351 Stony Island Ave.

The press conference will launch a weekend of events themed “The Farrakhan Years: Yesterday, Today and Forever—The Legacy.” Sunday, May 11, marks Minister Farrakhan’s 70th birthday where he will officially unveil the Louis Farrakhan Prostate Cancer Foundation at a gala banquet.

The primary purpose of the foundation will be to bring awareness to the disease and prevention methods, and to assist men who have no health care insurance with pre-screening, post-operative treatment and alternative treatment. In 1999, Min. Farrakhan suffered a public bout with illness that resulted from treatment of the cancer. He emerged from that experience with no trace of the disease in his body.

“I would encourage Black men in particular, when you reach 40 years and even a little before, not to fear the prostate examination,” Min. Farrakhan said. “Every male should get examined because if you find out you have it and you have caught it in its early stage, you can win in your battle against cancer.”

“The longer you delay in finding the truth and acting on it, the less chance you have of survival,” he said.

Following the press conference, dozens of health care providers will gather on the campus grounds of Mosque Maryam to offer an afternoon of free prostate cancer pre-screening blood tests. There will also be children’s activities, vendors, food booths, a talent showcase and special performances. Later that evening, the popular music group Frankie Beverly and Maze will perform a benefit concert at the Arie Crown Theatre.

On his 70th birth anniversary, Sunday, May 11, the weekend will culminate at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave., with a black-tie gala of fine dining, dignitaries and celebrity tributes to Minister Farrakhan. The gala banquet begins at 6 p.m.