JWT - Volume I
Joe’s Wolfpack Trailblazers
April 2020
When I was declared cancer-free from stage 3B colorectal cancer in February of 2019, I wasn’t sure what to do with my life. It was a gift I honestly didn’t know how to unwrap.
I started to look at how other men cancer patients and survivors were spending their lives. What I found was a group of men rising above their own struggles, to help others in the fight. Joe’s Wolfpack Trailblazers is a monthly feature that highlights the works of community service by these remarkable men.
This month, I’m proud to feature the works of Jason Greenspan, Brian Golz, Ryan Switzer, and I give a heartfelt thank you to all the men that helped me to support Jayden Oakes on his cancer journey.
— Joe Bullock, lead administrator, Man Up to Cancer - The Howling Place (Also known as The Wolfpack)
JASON GREENSPAN
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND
NATIONAL BALL CHECK DAY
A Washington D.C. native and testicular cancer survivor, Jason is using his marketing and event planning skills to spread awareness. He received his bachelor's degree in marketing from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania and his event planning professional certificate from Montgomery College in Maryland. Jason regularly attends fundraising events, awareness initiatives, and does speaking engagements. He has been featured in numerous television news stories, newspaper and magazine articles, and radio segments.
After being diagnosed at the young age of 18, Jason has become an active participant in the testicular cancer community. He regularly speaks about his cancer story and the importance of testicular self-exams. One of his most notable awareness initiatives was his event, Ship’s Got Balls. It was an attempt to get as many guys as possible to perform a testicular self-exam at the same time on the same day. Jason officially became a Guinness World Records title holder for the “largest simultaneous self-check for testicular cancer.”
Most recently, Jason and Thomas Cantley (aka Mr. Ballsy) created National Ball Check Day, which is a social media campaign and day aiming to MANdate testicular self-exams and continue spreading awareness about testicular cancer. They encourage people to share on social media using the hashtags #NationalBallCheckDay and #ICheckedMyBalls. For more information, please visit www.NationalBallCheckDay.com and follow them on social media @NationalBallCheckDay.
BRIAN GOLZ
ASSONET, MASSACHUSETTS
JARS OF HOPE "INSPIRED BY CAROLINE"
This organization honors Caroline Emma Cronk. She passed away from a brain tumor (DIPG) on July 18th, 2013, at the age of 5.
“My name is Brian and here is the story behind these jars. I send an 8x4 plastic jar of little toys and a handmade pillowcase (made by my aunt) to kids ages 3-12 battling any health issue. Children under 3 can receive a pillowcase. The child is sponsored for $20 by one of my followers. In the jar you will find bubbles, stickers, crayons, markers, cars, nail polish, playing cards and a whole lot more (stock is constantly changing). I decorate the jar top with stickers and put the child's name on it. 2,300 kids have received a jar so far.
Why I started this organization: On Nov. 24, 2012, I was watching channel 7; the Cronk family came on and shared Caroline’s story with us. She was 5 years old and had DIPG (brain tumor). This was the first time I had ever heard of it, and this moment would change my life forever. I couldn't get this story out of my head...it stuck with me. They said LIKE a Facebook page they just created for Caroline. I followed their updates daily. I saw the pain and suffering she was put through. Chemo/radiation...God how could this happen to a child?? After stumbling on the page of the Jessie Rees foundation and seeing Joy jars. (they send to cancer kids) I decided why not make my own custom ones? I decided to include kids with ANY medical issue. My organization was created on March 7, 2013, in hopes this jar and pillowcase will make kids happy, even if it's only for a short time.
If you're interested in sponsoring and you have PayPal, the email address is jarsofhope77@gmail.com. Please select “gift” option so no fees are taken out. If you don't have PayPal it's ok, just message me for another way to help. I’m a registered 501c3 non profit. All sponsorships and donations are tax deductible.
Please remember this is for kids in the US only. I can't afford to ship overseas. To request a jar or pillowcase, please PM me(Brian Golz). You can locate my org on Facebook at:
RYAN SWITZER
CARY NORTH CAROLINA
HOLT BROTHERS FOUNDATION
Ryan Switzer is a cancer thriver. He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 37.
“Cancer sucks and I don’t wish it on anyone, but it has opened all kinds of doors for myself and my family, and we are all better for our experiences. Stronger, more caring and open, in a better position to help others, don’t take things for granted, show more gratitude and thanks, etc.…
I have completed six Ironman races using that as a platform to raise awareness and money for the Holt Brothers Foundation www.Holtbrothersfoundation.com. I am now the Chairman of the Board of the foundation started by Torry and Terrence Holt (NC State/NFL stars) who lost their mother to cancer. We support kids going through tough times while their parent or guardian battles cancer. We have monthly programs at many hospitals now called KIDSCAN, and support many memory-making events for families throughout the year, as well as sponsor and pay for kids to attend Camp Kesem in the summers.
Since joining their team, I also help with the Duke Crush Cancer 5K https://secure3.convio.net/dccc/site/TR?fr_id=1561&pg=entry and two years ago I joined the V Foundation as Chairman of the Victory Ride to Cure Cancer www.thevictoryride.org. This year’s event will be on 9/5 and start and finish on campus at NC State.
My wife works for Duke and is my hero and was so supportive during our family’s battle with cancer. I have since lost my father to cancer, a number of friends, and just last week my 2nd Dad was diagnosed with cancer. I will continue to help support others and try to raise money in any way that I can to support research until a cure is found for all cancers. I don’t want our two little girls to have to live through this fight again!
For those out there fighting the good fight - Remember, no matter what, love is by your side with her best friend hope!
Link to a video Duke did about our cancer journey a few years ago…https://vimeo.com/163872988
JAYDEN OAKES
CORNING, CALIFORNIA
MAN UP TO CANCER
Jayden Oakes is an extraordinary boy. At age 11, he is already a natural leader, honor student, Boy Scout, and athlete.
Like his friends in northern California, Jayden loves the 49ers and riding dirt bikes. But unlike his peer group, Jayden is facing a health challenge that no child should ever have to face. He was diagnosed in July 2019 with juvenile colon cancer. Upon diagnosis, doctors found cancer in his peritoneum and a mass surrounding his transverse colon. Jayden has been incredibly brave throughout this entire ordeal.
In February, Jayden underwent a 17-hour surgery at the University of North Carolina Children’s Hospital. He came to North Carolina with his grandmother, Jayne Vinson.
“Jayden is my first born grandchild, I was reminded what true love was when he was born,” Jayne said. “Our lives have been turned upside down, our hearts have been ripped out of our chests. I know we could not get through this without all of the love and support we have received from my friends, my family, and all of my new friends from all over the world. So much good has come out of this horrific situation. I will forever be humbled by all the kindness.”
Jayden has returned home to California and is recovering from his colon cancer surgery. He has started on Keytruda , an immunotherapy drug, in hopes of preventing recurrence. Jayden’s grandfather, Larry Vinson, is a member of the Howling Place group.
I want to personally thank the men of the Wolfpack that took the time to visit with Jayden, and sent him gifts and cards of encouragement.
(Note from Trevor Maxwell: Joe coordinated support, gifts, and other assistance for Jayne and Jayden, to provide as much love as possible during the North Carolina stay. Joe lives in Durham, N.C., and his wife is a nurse at Duke. Joe doesn’t do any of this for attention. He does it because he has a big heart and because it’s the right thing to do. But I want to give a special shout-out to Joe for setting an example. He is the original Wolfpack Trailblazer.)