Transition to Circle Continues; THP to be Archived Oct. 31
To the members of Man Up to Cancer,
Three months ago, we launched our new home on the Circle community platform. We’re excited to share that more than 700 men have already joined — including hundreds from The Howling Place Facebook group and many new brothers discovering our movement for the first time.
It's now time to formally set a date — Oct. 31, 2025 — to archive The Howling Place FB group. After that date, members will still be able to view and search existing content, but the group will be closed to new posts, comments, and reactions.
Please see the FAQs below for a deeper look into why this transition is necessary. As Man Up to Cancer evolved into a nonprofit organization committed to serving members with retreats, local chapters, and the Chemo Care Backpack program, we began to see the limitations and risks of relying on Facebook. It became clear that we needed our own independent digital home — one that isn’t controlled by Meta or any social media company.
That space is now live on Circle. Inside our new social hub, The Full Moon Commons, members are sharing their triumphs and hardships. They’re giving and receiving support. While it may not look or feel exactly like Facebook, the function, heart, and spirit remain the same. On top of that, members can engage in chapter chats, register for programs, and browse the MUTC calendar, all in one place.
This has not been an easy decision for me, Joe Bullock, or anyone on the leadership team. I opened the Howling Place on Dec. 31, 2019. Joe was the first person to join, and we have been blessed with an incredible brotherhood ever since.
Change is never easy. Some may not immediately feel at home on Circle — just as others never felt fully comfortable on Facebook. We will do our absolute best to provide an environment on Circle that delivers what you need for peer-to-peer support.
We hope you will make this transition with us. Our onboarding team — Joe Bullock, Chuck Aiken, and Chris Berberabe — is here to help. They’ll get you set up, answer questions, and guide you through the new space. We’ll also offer drop-in sessions from August 10 through October 25 (dates and times TBD) for anyone who wants to learn more.
As a next step, we’ll be hosting a Zoom Town Hall on August 5 to walk through this plan and answer your questions. Watch for more details in Circle and The Howling Place.
With love and gratitude,
Trevor Maxwell
Founder
Frequently Asked Questions about Man Up to Cancer's transition to Circle
Q: What's happening with Man Up to Cancer's Facebook group, The Howling Place?
A: The Howling Place will be archived on Oct. 31, 2025. Members will still be able to view and search existing content, but the group will be closed to new posts. All members are invited to join Man Up to Cancer's new community hub on the Circle platform and app.
Q: Why is Man Up to Cancer moving from Facebook to Circle?
A: Independence — We simply can't rely on Facebook for the future of our organization. If Meta were to eliminate groups or restrict access, we'd have no way to reconvene our membership. Facebook collects and monetizes data, even from private groups, and imposes algorithms that control what users see.
Inclusion — Every week, we hear from men who want to join our community but aren't on social media. No man should need a Facebook account to access connection, support, and belonging.
Member experience — On Circle, members can access our social hub, local chapters, events, and programs, all in one place. This platform allows us to innovate, grow, and foster deeper community in the years to come.
Q: Why not have the new platform, but also keep The Howling Place Facebook open?
A: We believe in having one central, unified social hub. Maintaining two active platforms would divide the community and dilute the experience. Having two social spaces would also make it difficult for us to uphold our rules and standards, such as the ban on political content.
Q: What are members able to do on Man Up to Cancer's Circle platform and app?
A: Connect and socialize with fellow members; register for the Gathering of Wolves retreat and other events; join local chapters and participate in chapter chats; request a Chemo Care Backpack; browse the community calendar; take part in video meetups.
Q: Is Circle a social media platform?
A: No. Circle is a community platform designed for private, interest-based groups or organizations. No ads, no algorithmic feeds, no data scraping.
Q: Do members have to pay to join Man Up to Cancer on Circle?
A: No. Members will never pay to be part of the Man Up to Cancer community, no matter what platform we use. Our programs are free, thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors.
Q: Will I lose anything by moving from Facebook to Circle?
A: No. While the platform may look and feel different, everything you value — connection, honesty, humor, vulnerability, support — is alive and well on Circle. Our brotherhood is not tied to a platform. It lives in the way we show up for one another.
Q: Who are the contacts if I need help, or if I have questions or comments?
A: For help navigating the Circle platform and app, email support@manuptocancer.org.
If you have questions or comments, please contact Matt Kozlovac, Executive Director, at matt@manuptocancer.org, and Trevor Maxwell, Founder, at trevor@manuptocancer.org.