BIG NEWS: Man Up to Cancer is now a nonprofit!
News Release
Nov. 1, 2023
Man Up to Cancer expands programs, becomes a nonprofit
Over the past four years, Man Up to Cancer has established itself as a leading support community for men facing cancer, with more than 40 local chapters
CAPE ELIZABETH, ME, Nov. 1, 2023 — Man Up to Cancer, a support community that inspires men to connect and avoid isolation during their cancer journeys, today announced its new status as a non-profit organization.
The community launched in January of 2020 as a website and Facebook group. It has grown into an organization of nearly 2,500 members with an annual retreat, chemo backpack program, and more than 40 chapters across North America, and two in Europe.
“Our mission is to change the way men go through cancer, with a focus on peer-to-peer support,” said Trevor Maxwell, founder and CEO. A resident of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Maxwell is a five-year survivor of colon cancer. He will have his seventh major surgery this month.
Men have a 50 percent chance of being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, and roughly one million men in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer annually. Most male cancer patients and survivors do not engage with support groups or other resources, studies show.
“In the past, men were expected to carry the burden of cancer on their own. You weren’t supposed to need help, or even talk about what you were going through,” Maxwell said. “That old road leads to isolation, mental health problems, broken relationships, and poor medical outcomes. It’s time for a new path, where we carry the burden together, and have the courage to accept help along the way.”
Man Up to Cancer’s annual retreat drew 55 attendees in 2022, and doubled to 110 attendees in 2023. More than 175 attendees are anticipated for the retreat next September. The organization sent out more than 200 backpacks this year to its members who are going through chemotherapy or other cancer treatments, and plans to reach more than 300 next year.
Maxwell is joined on the organization’s inaugural board of directors by Joe Bullock of Durham, N.C.; Don Helgeson of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada; Ule Alexander Jr. of Severn, Maryland; Joe Catarineau of Tavernier, Fla.; Michael Holtz of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Martha Raymond of South Dennis, Mass. Other leaders are Michael Riehle of South Wales, N.Y.; Jay Abramovitch of South Mountain, Ontario, Canada; Danny Riggs of League City, Texas; Keith Hollingsworth of Lafayette, Ind.; and Brandon Martin of Thornton, Colorado.
Man Up to Cancer has established several key partnerships in support of its programs, including with Seagen, Natera, Guardant Health, Bayer, the Scott Johnson Memorial Fund, American Association for Cancer Research, Fight CRC, and Colon Cancer Coalition.
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Man Up to Cancer is a non-profit organization (EIN# 93-3745038) incorporated in the state of Maine, and our tax-exempt status as a 501 (c)(3) organization is pending approval from the Internal Revenue Service .No goods or services will be exchanged for your contribution, and your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Please speak to your tax advisor for any additional guidance you may need.