Man Up to Cancer Hits the Runway for Prostate Cancer Awareness
Designer Frederick Anderson
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men — and for too long, it’s been a taboo subject. This fall, Man Up to Cancer founder Trevor Maxwell will step into the spotlight in Los Angeles to help change that.
On October 6, Maxwell will trade his everyday jeans for a custom look and walk the runway at MG Studios during the Blue Jacket Fashion Show. He’ll join scientists, actors, media personalities, and other advocates with one goal: encouraging men to take charge of their prostate health.
Now in its ninth year, the Blue Jacket Fashion Show is the brainchild of renowned designer Frederick Anderson in partnership with Johnson & Johnson. First held during New York City Fashion Week in 2016, the event added an L.A. edition in 2024.
Notable past participants include Bill Nye, Don Lemon, Mario Cantone, Marcus Samuelsson, Nigel Barker, Rodney Peete, and Holly Robinson Peete. Many of those who walk the runway have been personally impacted by prostate cancer, either as patients themselves or through loved ones.
“Visionary leaders like Frederick Anderson are showing that when we make prostate cancer part of the public conversation, we save lives through screening and early detection,” Maxwell said. “We’re honored to partner with Frederick and Johnson & Johnson for this innovative event.”
Meet 'Elevator Bob'
Bob Lane, a stage IV prostate cancer survivor from North Carolina, will also walk the runway on Oct. 6 at the Blue Jacket Fashion Show.
A retired insurance professional, Lane is known as "Elevator Bob" for the many conversations he strikes up while sitting near the elevators at Urology Specialists of the Carolinas in Charlotte. His goal is to share information, resources, and hope with other men facing the disease.
In 2014, Lane went to his doctor for symptoms of diverticulitis. Bloodwork instead revealed elevated PSA levels, leading to a cancer diagnosis and a surgery to remove his prostate. Lane's PSA levels remained stable for a time, but they started to rise again in 2017, with a considerable spike in 2021. Doctors discovered the cancer had spread to his C1 spinal vertebra.
Lane underwent radiation and successful therapy with the drug, ERLEADA, which blocks male hormones like testosterone that contribute to prostate cancer growth.
He is now cancer free.
"For me, I’m thriving by travelling, volunteering, helping the kids with projects at their homes. There’s a lot of life to live," Lane said.
Lane has done several media interviews about his journey, including an interview earlier this year CURE Magazine about the hope and hardship of survivorship. Conversations often come up during September, which is prostate cancer awareness month.
“When I was diagnosed, I didn’t realize what a big deal prostate cancer was because no one talks about it," Lane said. "I want to let these men know they are not alone and give them an understanding of what to expect and questions to ask their doctor."
Why This Matters
1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer.
Black men face a 70% higher risk of developing prostate cancer and a far higher mortality rate compared to white men.
Man Up to Cancer represents more than 500 prostate cancer patients and survivors within its international community, making this partnership especially meaningful.
Screening Saves Lives
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF):
Men ages 55 to 69 with no family history of prostate cancer should talk with their doctors about blood testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
Men with a close relative diagnosed before age 65 should begin that discussion around age 45.
Those with extensive family history may need to start even earlier.
Biljana Naumovic, President of US Oncology, Solid Tumor at Johnson & Johnson, recently told Forbes: “We want every single man to get tested, and we want the best therapies delivered early — so prostate cancer can be cured.”
Biljana Naumovic, President of US Oncology, Solid Tumor at Johnson & Johnson
A Survivor’s Story
For Man Up to Cancer Chapter Director Don Helgeson, the mission is deeply personal. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 at age 51. After successful initial treatment and a radical prostatectomy, Helgeson faced a recurrence last fall, which was treated with radiation and androgen deprivation therapy.
The treatment was grueling, with side effects ranging from hot flashes, fatigue, mood changes, and loss of libido. Fortunately, Helgeson had an excellent response to treatment and his PSA is now undetectable.
"I didn’t even know what a PSA was. I really wanted someone to talk to, to confide in and find out what I was facing, but I didn’t know anyone who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer," Helgeson said. "I eventually found support, and I decided that I’d be open about my diagnosis so that other men didn’t feel as lost as I did."
"Partnering with the Blue Jacket Fashion Show is a perfect fit for our mission at Man Up to Cancer," Helgeson said. "For those of us who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, we feel a duty and a calling to raise awareness so others can detect their cancers early, when it's most treatable."
Join the Movement
Prostate cancer touches millions of families, but it doesn’t have to be faced alone. At Man Up to Cancer, we believe in breaking the silence, encouraging men to get screened, and building community through every stage of the cancer journey.
Take action today: Talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening. And if you or a loved one are navigating a diagnosis, connect with us at www.manuptocancer.org to find support and brotherhood.
Don Helgeson, Chapter Director for Man Up to Cancer