Trevor Maxwell is founder of Man Up to Cancer, a non-profit organization that inspires men to connect and avoid isolation during their cancer journeys. He is the author of “Open Heart, Warrior Spirit: A Man’s Guide to Living with Cancer.” Trevor has been living with stage IV colon cancer since March of 2018. He has undergone seven major surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and a clinical trial. As a patient leader, he has received the Annette Cook Cancer Warrior Award and the Amanda Dempsey Award. Trevor lives in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters, Sage and Elsie.

Joe Bullock was diagnosed with stage 3b colorectal cancer in May 2018 after a routine colonoscopy at age 50. Despite experiencing symptoms for several months, he delayed seeking medical attention while grieving the loss of both his parents, who passed away within six months of each other in 2017. After this period of mourning, Joe underwent a colonoscopy at Duke Hospital, where his gastroenterologist discovered two polyps and a 10cm tumor in his colon.

Following the diagnosis, Joe underwent surgery to remove the tumor, during which his colon was reconnected, and 40 lymph nodes were removed—three of which tested positive for cancer. Post-surgery, he underwent an intensive treatment regimen consisting of Oxaliplatin infusions and Xeloda pills over the course of eight cycles, spanning six months.

In February 2019, Joe was declared NED (No Evidence of Disease). Since surviving cancer, he has embraced a mission to give back, driven by the belief that while cancer may be done with him, he is not done with cancer. His involvement with the Man Up to Cancer community has allowed him to transform his pain into purpose, offering hope and solidarity to others navigating similar journeys.

Joe Catarineau, a CPA and attorney based in Islamorada, FL, was diagnosed with stage 3b colorectal cancer despite having no symptoms and being in excellent health. His diagnosis came as a complete surprise and was only discovered because of a promise he made to a family friend battling stage 4 colon cancer. Although the recommended screening age was 45, Joe, then 40, kept his promise and got screened early—a decision he credits with saving his life.

After undergoing treatment, Joe has been NED (No Evidence of Disease) for over two years. His experience has deepened his commitment to cancer awareness and early screening, and he continues to use his platform as CFO of Man Up to Cancer to inspire others to take proactive steps in their health journeys.

Christopher Berberabe, Technology Director for Man Up to Cancer (MUTC), was diagnosed with stage 3C colon cancer in 2020 following delayed symptoms and referrals. His treatment involved a colon resection and Capox chemotherapy, but the most difficult challenges he faced were the emotional and mental toll of the diagnosis and treatment process.

Discovering MUTC became a turning point in his journey, offering a community of men who truly understood his experiences and provided invaluable support. Now, 4.5 years NED (No Evidence of Disease), Christopher remains committed to giving back to MUTC, acknowledging the profound impact the community had on his fight and recovery.

Don Helgeson is a recently retired Canadian Mountie living in British Columbia, Canada, and a three-time cancer survivor—all by the age of 51. His battle has included melanoma, colorectal cancer, and, most recently, a recurrence of stage 3b prostate cancer, for which he completed treatment in the fall of 2024.

In the spring of 2020, Don joined Man Up to Cancer’s "The Howling Place" community and quickly became an integral member. By 2022, he was named Chapter and Meetup Coordinator, a role in which he has overseen tremendous growth. Over the past 30 months, Don has helped expand the program to nearly 50 chapters worldwide, managing a team of over 70 chapter leaders. His dedication and leadership continue to create life-changing connections for men navigating their cancer journeys.

Chuck Aiken was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in November 2019. He now serves as the Membership Director for Man Up to Cancer, where he oversees the "pack" in The Howling Place—MUTC's thriving online community of over 3,000 members.

Chuck has used his personal experience with cancer to foster positivity and raise awareness, both within his local community and across the country through remote events. His leadership and dedication continue to create a welcoming and supportive space for men navigating their cancer journeys.

Jay Abramovitch is a devoted father, husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, advocate, supporter, runner, and outdoorsman. In October 2020, at the age of 36, Jay was diagnosed with stage 3B colorectal cancer. His initial treatment included surgery and six months of chemotherapy (FOLFOX).

Just two weeks after completing chemotherapy, Jay and his wife adopted their beautiful daughter, Kira Marie. While adjusting to life as new parents, they also faced the emotional, physical, mental, and financial toll that cancer had taken on their family.

After being NED (No Evidence of Disease) for nearly two years, Jay’s journey took another turn in September 2024 when two nodules were discovered on his lung. Thanks to a dedicated medical team, a second opinion, and support from CCRAN, Jay underwent SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy) instead of major surgery and is now back on surveillance.

Despite the challenges, Jay views his cancer journey as an opportunity for growth, learning, and giving back. He remains committed to staying physically and mentally strong through running, which continues to be a source of resilience. Jay has also maintained his full-time job while dedicating himself to advocacy, peer support, storytelling, and raising awareness about young-onset colorectal cancer.

In addition to serving as Retreat Director and Canadian Lead for Man Up to Cancer, Jay is a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Ottawa Cancer Foundation, a Patient Advisory Council member with CCRAN, and a Special Advisor for an upcoming initiative to educate Canadian firefighters about the heightened risks of colorectal cancer. Jay frequently shares his story at community and international events, amplifying his mission to support and inspire others.

Hope Alcocer is an accomplished marketing strategist, writer, and certified mental health coach specializing in trauma-informed care. With nearly 14 years of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and branding, Hope has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations tell their stories in impactful and authentic ways.

Although she is not a cancer warrior herself, Hope’s connection to the cancer community runs deep. She lost her father to leukemia when she was just six weeks old, and she is currently supporting her mother through an aggressive battle with breast cancer.

Hope’s work with Man Up to Cancer is a personal mission to give back to a community she describes as filled with “hearts of pure gold.” As the Digital Content Director for MUTC, she combines her professional expertise and compassionate approach to amplify the organization's message and create meaningful connections that support men navigating their cancer journeys.

A Midwest native, Hope resides in the NYC Tri-State area with her husband, three bonus kiddos, and menagerie of pets.

Michael Holtz was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3b rectal cancer in March 2012 and, after 11 months of treatment, was declared cancer-free in May 2013. Surgery and treatment left him with a permanent colostomy, left ventricular hypertrophy, and neuropathy in his feet. He was recently diagnosed with chemotherapy-related hearing loss and is regularly monitored for potential vision loss. Despite the physical challenges cancer has imposed, Michael’s unwavering outlook remains rooted in gratitude and resilience by reminding himself “I’m still here”.

Michael lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the lovely Sarah, his wife of 28 years, and their rescue dog, Marley, a Golden Bassett. He is deeply thankful for a life enriched by the love of family and friends who bring joy and purpose to his days.

Brandon Martin is a retired Mechanical Design Engineer and part-time college instructor who has dedicated his life to education, innovation, and community service. His cancer journey began in June 2020 when he was diagnosed with stage 3B rectal cancer. Despite enduring the rigors of treatment, Brandon received a second devastating diagnosis of stage 4 rectal cancer in June 2021. Through it all, he has remained steadfast in his determination to live with purpose and give back.

Brandon’s commitment to making a difference led him to join Man Up to Cancer, where he serves as Volunteer Coordinator. In this role, he works across the organization to ensure volunteers are connected with the programs and initiatives where their skills and passions are most needed.

Jason Randall is a husband, father, U.S. Navy veteran, and stage 4 colorectal cancer survivor. At just 35 years old, while working as a GIS Analyst and Cartographer, Jason began experiencing symptoms that led to a CT scan. The results were devastating: a fully blocked rectosigmoid junction and metastatic disease covering 80% of his liver. He was told his cancer was inoperable and that he would need chemotherapy for life. At the time of his diagnosis, Jason’s wife was still pregnant with their third child, making the news even more crushing for their young family.

In the first 18 months after his diagnosis, Jason endured 30 rounds of chemotherapy and two Y90 procedures targeting his liver. Despite responding well to treatment, his prognosis remained grim—until he sought a second opinion from Dr. Yuman Fong and Dr. Andreas Kaiser at City of Hope in Los Angeles. In a groundbreaking 12-hour surgery, Jason’s liver and colon were operated on with curative intent, shifting the trajectory of his prognosis.

Just five months after surgery, Jason faced a recurrence in his tailbone, leading to four more systemic chemotherapy cycles, 28 full pelvic radiation sessions, and a major APR surgery that removed his remaining rectum, anus, tailbone, and part of the sacrum, leaving him with a permanent colostomy. The surgery succeeded in returning Jason to NED (No Evidence of Disease) for 11 months, though he would later battle additional recurrences in his lung and hilar node area. Each time, Jason’s resilience and cutting-edge treatments—including ablation and SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy)—brought him back to NED, most recently for the fourth time.

Jason first joined Man Up to Cancer in 2020 and quickly became an integral part of the leadership team, serving as an admin and helping launch the organization’s nonprofit arm. In addition to his work with MUTC, Jason also serves on the leadership cabinet of COLONTOWN, providing support and guidance to others in the colorectal cancer community.

Jason and his family recently relocated to the Big Island of Hawai’i, where they are building a small cancer retreat space—a reflection of their commitment to giving back and helping others navigate the challenges of cancer with strength and hope.

Martha Raymond is the Founder and CEO of The Raymond Foundation and the Founding CEO of the GI Cancers Alliance. With over 35 years of dedicated advocacy for cancer patients and caregivers, Martha has become a leader in patient-centered care and support.

Her research focuses on amplifying patient-reported outcomes to ensure that the patient’s voice and lived experience are valued and integrated throughout the continuum of care. Martha has published extensively, with numerous research articles appearing in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Cancer, and the Journal of Cancer Research.

A certified professional facilitator, Martha frequently serves as a speaker and moderator for global oncology conferences and symposiums. In addition, she consults with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and advocacy organizations on oncology program development.

In 2023, Martha received two prestigious honors for her advocacy and research: the Excellence in Colorectal Cancer Advocacy Award from the WunderGlo Foundation in California and the Luminary Award in GI Cancers from OncLive and the Ruesch Center/Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University.

Martha holds advanced graduate certifications in Integrative Medicine, Hospice Counseling, Palliative Care, and Patient Navigation. A lifelong learner, she is currently pursuing executive education at Harvard University's Kennedy School.