MAN UP TO CANCER

MAN UP TO CANCER's Quarterly Newsletter is hot off the press! Check it out and subscribe, here! >> https://lnkd.in/ehUWnkRt 📰 In this issue: 🐺 A Letter from Trevor Maxwell 🐺 Chapter Updates 🐺 Gathering of Wolves Recap 🐺 A special (and very moving) Howling Place Interview 🐺 and much more! https://lnkd.in/ehUWnkRt

Gathering of Wolves 2024 was more than a retreat—it was a weekend of brotherhood, healing, and hope. From September 5-8, cancer survivors and caregivers came together at Pocono Springs Camp. In reflecting on this powerful experience, Tim McDonald perfectly captured the essence of the weekend—strength through vulnerability, shared stories, and lifelong connections. Whether it was the healing power of nature or witnessing the global reach of the Wolfpack, this retreat was a reminder that no one faces cancer alone. Read Tim's heartfelt reflections on this transformative weekend and how the Gathering of Wolves continues to be a beacon of hope for men around the world.

I’m sitting in an Adirondack chair looking out at the morning mist on Pocono Highlands Lake, on the tree-lined grounds of Pocono Springs Camp. In 20 minutes, we will welcome nearly 200 cancer patients and survivors for Man Up to Cancer’s third annual men’s cancer retreat, the Gathering of Wolves. It’s another major milestone on our mission to change the way men go through cancer. Over the next four days we will share stories, laughs, tears, and hugs. These are the bonds that can only be formed through the crucible of cancer. If you know, you know. We will stay up late by the campfires. We will grieve and celebrate the brothers we have lost. And when it’s over, we will already look forward to next year. Nearly five years has passed since this movement started. In that time, Man Up to Cancer has grown to a community of 3000 men across several countries, with more than 40 chapters. For me personally, I didn’t know if I would still be alive in 2024. My medical team says the odds of me being here were less than 10 percent. In 2021 and 2023, things got real dicey. I’m lucky and incredibly grateful to still be living and to experience family life as Sage goes into her second year of college, and Elsie starts her senior year of high school. I can’t thank them and my wife Sarah enough. I struggle daily knowing so many friends who died too young, but I know what they would want me to do: make the most of my days. I will never be able to adequately express the gratitude I have for my right hand man, Joe Bullock and the other amazing men who dedicate their time and energy to the MUTC mission. To our GOW director, Jay Abramovitch, and planners Chuck Aiken, Steven Barker, Chris Taylor, Christopher Berberabe, Shawn Gibson, Tim McDonald, thank you! And to our sponsors, thank you, we couldn’t do this without you! Sanofi Natera Bayer Guardant Health Pfizer Daiichi Sankyo US Colon Cancer Coalition American Association for Cancer Research Fight Colorectal Cancer

🌈🍑We had an incredible time at Raleigh Pride last month, where Cheeky Charity and MAN UP TO CANCER partnered to host a booth, engaging hundreds of attendees in meaningful conversations about colorectal cancer awareness. Thanks to the phenomenal efforts of Man Up to Cancer’s COO, Joe Bullock and the unique and humorously ‘cheeky’ tactics of Cheeky Charity, we were able to share life-saving information and promote the importance of early detection and prevention. Over 40 attendees committed to their colon health by taking Cheeky Charity’s ‘Commit to Your Colon’ pledge (including agreement to send them ‘cheeky’ reminders of their colorectal screenings!), largely thanks to a @hellotushy bidet giveaway for every entry. Special thanks to TUSHY: For People Who Poop for being a generous sponsor and donating their Classic 3.0 and portable travel bidets for the raffle!🌈🍑🤗 See you next year!

The cancer journey looks different for each individual who must endure it. This is what stage four cancer could look like. Our GOW Director, Jay Abramovitch is shown here running in Canada Day's recent 10K event. Jay's resilience is summed up in his own words: 'Cancer is part of me but will never define me.' He draws motivation from multiple sources: 'I run for me, my family, my MUTC brothers, and those who are no longer with us. It motivates me to take control of something I love and not let cancer take that away.' Challenging societal misconceptions, Jay adds, 'Society has an idea of what someone affected by cancer acts and looks like; it is totally inaccurate!' His journey is fueled by a powerful soundtrack featuring Eminem, Jocko, and David Goggins, which drives him to keep pushing boundaries and redefining what is possible.

Man Up to Cancer partners with Bayer scientists to ship backpacks to patients Cancer scientists are so focused on the tasks at hand, they don't often get face-to-face time with the patients they strive to help. When they do get that chance, they clearly savor every moment. That was evident on June 27th in Cambridge, Mass., as about 20 cancer scientists at the Bayer Research and Innovation Center took part in a unique visit with three leaders from the nonprofit organization, Man Up to Cancer. MUTC founder Trevor Maxwell and chief operations officer Joe Bullock joined the scientists in person, while chapter coordinator Don Helgeston joined via video from Bellingham, Wa., where he was undergoing radiation treatment for recurrent prostate cancer. Maxwell is living with stage IV colon cancer, and Bullock is a six-year survivor of stage IIIB colon cancer. Trevor, Joe, and Don spoke about their journeys and the mission of MUTC to help men avoid isolation while going through cancer. The event was organized and moderated by Pooja Merchant, head of global patient partnerships and engagement for oncology at Bayer | Oncology. After the speaking part of the event, the Bayer scientists helped pack care items into 65 backpacks that will be shipped to members of the MUTC community who are undergoing chemotherapy or other treatments. The scientists wrote personal heartfelt notes to the patients who will receive the backpacks. About 400 backpacks total will be shipped this year in the nonprofit organization's Chemo Care Backpack program. "These folks are working hard to discover the next breakthroughs for cancer patients, so it was incredibly meaningful to meet them in person and to thank them," Maxwell said. "I'm still alive because of cancer research, and I'm grateful for that every day." Bayer Oncology is a sponsor of MUTC's Chemo Care Backpack program, and will also be a sponsor to Man Up to Cancer's third annual Gathering of Wolves retreat in September. Trevor and Joe led a similar backpack event for Bayer in Alexandria, Va., in March of 2023. Link to full article, here: https://lnkd.in/eDGvrvKG

Man Up to Cancer founder Trevor Maxwell spent time this week speaking with oncologists and fellows at MaineHealth in South Portland, Maine, along with Katelynn Davis, Marketing and Communications Director for one of our closest #nonprofit partners, the Dempsey Center. "There is a lot of interest from oncology practices on how they can provide support to their male patients and survivors," Maxwell said. "It's great to see how much these doctors care about supporting the whole person, and not just about treating the disease." Pictured here are Maxwell, Dr. Vatche Tchekmedyian, and Davis, outside the MaineHealth Cancer Care Center.