Man Up to Cancer Partners with Bayer Scientists to Ship Backpacks to Patients
Cancer scientists are so focused on the tasks at hand, that they don't often get face-to-face time with the patients they strive to help.
When they do get that chance, they 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.
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.