Takin' Care

This year, 189,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and an estimated 31,000 of them will find the disease to be fatal. Cruisin' for a Cure, a registered nonprofit California organization, is helping raise awareness this Saturday with the world's largest one-day charity custom/classic auto show. Held at the OC Fairgrounds, the event will feature more than 34,000 cars, more than 200 vendors and a 1.5-mile cruise route.

"We love that this great event is right in our own back yard," says Mike Peterman of CnC Customs, a Santa Ana-based manufacturer of billet engine accessories and Cruisin' for a Cure vendor, "It's a pleasure to come back year after year. The people running this charity event are doing such an amazing job raising awareness for prostate-cancer research."

The Cruisin' for a Cure mission hits especially close to home for Peterman, "[This event] means a lot to me personally, as my father is just winding up a successful battle with prostate cancer."

PSA testing—a simple, painless blood test—will be available at the Cruise free of charge. Last year, almost 800 men were tested; 52 came back with results indicating a risk and were instructed to see their doctors. Over the years, Cruisin' for a Cure has helped save the lives of 14 men who, upon further testing, were found to have the disease and were able to receive life-saving medical attention.

Every cent of the entry fee goes directly to the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center for prostate-cancer research.

The eighth Annual Cruisin' for a Cure, OC Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, (714) 708-3247; www.ocfair.com . Sat. Gates open at 7 a.m. $12.