Men's Cancer Retreat Draws 150 Attendees, Defies Stereotypes
Male cancer patients and survivors from across North America converged in Pennsylvania for the third annual Gathering of Wolves retreat
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa., Sept. 8, 2024 — Converging from across North America and beyond, 150 male cancer patients and survivors attended the third annual Gathering of Wolves retreat, held Sept. 5-8 at Pocono Springs Camp.
The event was the largest men's cancer retreat ever held. It was hosted by Man Up to Cancer, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for men impacted by any type of cancer.
The retreat combines fun, food, relaxation, campfires, storytelling, and brotherhood. Attendees took part in several educational breakout sessions, as well as archery, ziplining, swimming, axe-throwing, euchre, and the annual cornhole tournament and US vs. Canada challenge. Cancer survivor Mark Crouthamel, a member of MUTC, stole the show with his chainsaw ice carving of the organization's wolf logo.
"Just because we're going through cancer doesn't mean we can't have fun," said Man Up to Cancer founder Trevor Maxwell, a stage IV cancer survivor from Maine. "Our goals for this year's retreat were to foster deep bonds and conversations amongst the guys, and to provide an unforgettable experience at the same time."
The retreat has grown from 55 attendees in the inaugural year of 2022. With a membership of about 3,000 men from all ages and backgrounds, Man Up to Cancer offers retreats, peer-to-peer support, a chemo care backpack program, and more than 40 local chapters.
Thanks to sponsors and individual donations, the retreat was free for attendees. More than 20 attendees who needed travel assistance received funding from the Scott Johnson Memorial Fund, in partnership with the Johnson family of Berlin, Conn. The fund is named in honor of Scott Johnson, a family man, firefighter, and U.S. Coast Guard veteran who passed away from cancer in 2017. Travel funding was also provided by donations made in memory of Lee Silverstein of Tampa Bay, Fla., a beloved member of Man Up to Cancer who died in February after living with cancer for more than 12 years.
The lead planner for the Gathering of Wolves was stage IV cancer survivor Jay Abramovitch of South Mountain, Ontario, Canada. Corporate sponsors for the event were Sanofi, Pfizer, Natera, Guardant Health, Bayer, Daiichi-Sankyo, and Servier. Non-profit sponsors are Fight Colorectal Cancer, Colon Cancer Coalition, and the American Association for Cancer Research.
“When faced with cancer, women tend to reach out, and men tend to check out. This leads to mental health problems, strained relationships, and poor medical outcomes,” said cancer survivor Michael Holtz of Knoxville, Tenn. Holtz serves as a board member and director of fundraising and partnerships for Man Up to Cancer.
“It’s time for a new path," Holtz said. "We are changing what it means to ‘Man Up.' It’s not just about being tough. It means having the courage to accept help, and knowing we are smarter and stronger as a pack than we are as lone wolves.”
To read about the retreat from the eyes of an attendee, please check out this wonderful blog post written by Tim McDonald. Tim is a stage IV colon cancer survivor and avid volunteer for Man Up to Cancer, including serving as the leader of the Florida chapter.
###
