The Latest with Subway Hero Wesley Autrey

The other day, we were listening to the radio and heard an ad with Wesley Autrey, the city's beloved subway hero! Autrey has done a series of public service announcements with the city's health department to encourage New Yorkers over 50 to get screened for colon cancer. From the DOH statement:

"I’m an average New Yorker over the age of 50 who could be at risk of colon cancer," said Autrey. "That’s why I’m joining this campaign. I’m very happy to be able help get this message out about colon cancer to maybe help save more lives – and I don’t have to jump onto the subway tracks to do it!"

Aw, gotta love him. There are not only radio ads, but subway and taxi ads, too.

Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden says colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but 1,400 New Yorks still die from it every year. And free and low-cost colon screenings are available to all New Yorkers. Here's a fact sheet on colon cancer (PDF).

And upcoming for Autrey: A scheduled appearance on Oprah and to be at the NY Auto Show - Chrysler is giving him a custom built Jeep!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on March 21, 2007 2:47 PM

Comments [rss]

bleaunobyl

Chrysler provided Autrey with two years of free parking.

jojo

this guy isn't selling out at all. And if he ever did, He'd deserve every penny.

Elderta

Disneyworld?

ed_Extinct

people like this guy, who do good deeds don't expect payouts from the media or other sources. he's genuinely a good person.

btw, where'd all the good people go?

abw

(I mean, their age at diagnosis- if they were diagnosed at 35, you should start screening at 25)

abw

This is excellent for colon cancer awarness. I (a 29 year old female) was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago. Not only should everyone 50 and older get checked every 5 years if they find a polyp and every 10 if they don't; but if you have a family member who has had colorectal cancer, you should start getting colonoscopies 10 years prior to their diagnosis. This is such a treatable disease when diagnosed early! (off my soapbox)

Annon

More power to him. Hope he give Paris Hilton a running for getting lots of money for doing nothing. Oh wait- yeah there was that saving a life thing. But whatever he is so Obvs a big media ho now- right bitches?

Alex

HOW DARE YOU

anonymass

#9 - your mom?

(keepin' it old school)

Alex

Money wasn't on his mind then, but it certainly is now. If you listened to his interview on 92.3 you'd know what's really on his mind.

Ace

Hey Larry #5: He risked his life for a stranger and I don't think dollar signs were crossing through his mind when he leaped off that platform. I guess you deserve it more.

Elderta

Sounds like Larry is a wee bit jealous.

smitty

yeah, those PSAs sure pay reeeal well.

Larry

Enough is enough. He's definitely trying to get some $$$ out of this.

Ace

A real American hero and role model.

bk

i hope chrysler provides parking for him as well.

Elderta

Good for Autry to help out with this. My dad died of colon cancer this past August. He didn't have a test done until he started getting sick. By then, it was too late. Colon cancer can be treated better if caught early and before it spreads.