CUTLINE:
The Men’s Gathering at FirstHealth co-facilitators, Joe Bullock (left) and Tim Kline (right) are
pictured with participant Richard Andrews.

The FirstHealth Cancer Center provides a unique support group for men
impacted by cancer called the Men’s Gathering. This group is open to patients, survivors,
caregivers and friends, offering a welcoming space for men to connect, share and support one
another through the challenges of cancer. The Men’s Gathering is a local chapter of the
organization Man Up to Cancer, which focuses on reducing isolation and improving quality of
life for men affected by cancer.

Man Up to Cancer, a non-profit organization, provides peer-to-peer support, an annual retreat
and a chemotherapy backpack program designed to help men cope with the physical and
emotional impacts of cancer. Founded by Trevor Maxwell, a stage IV colon cancer survivor, the
organization has grown to include nearly 3,000 members in 50 chapters across North America,
the UK, Northern Europe, and Australia.

According to Joe Bullock, COO of Man Up to Cancer and co-facilitator of the Men’s Gathering
at FirstHealth, men often struggle to seek support during their cancer journeys. “When faced
with cancer, women tend to reach out, and men tend to check out,” Bullock explained. “This
often leads to mental health challenges, strained relationships and poor medical outcomes. We’re
working to change this, encouraging men to ‘check in’ instead.”

Bullock, a Chatham County resident and stage III colorectal cancer survivor, has been
instrumental in launching the Man Up to Cancer organization. Members of the organization refer
to themselves as the Wolfpack and gather online in a private Facebook community, The Howling
Place. Here, they share their experiences, offer advice and discuss everything from treatment
options to hobbies and family life.

The Men’s Gathering at the FirstHealth Cancer Center meets monthly on the second Wednesday
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., on the fourth floor. This informal, drop-in group welcomes any man
affected by cancer, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, a long-term survivor or caring for
someone with cancer.

For more information on the Men’s Gathering support group at FirstHealth Cancer Center or
Man Up to Cancer, contact Joe Bullock at Joe@manuptocancer.org, Deborah Yarborough,
oncology social worker, at dyarborough@firsthealth.org or Katelyn Culbreth, oncology social
worker, at kbculbreth@firsthealth.org.

About FirstHealth Cancer Center

The FirstHealth Cancer Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive cancer care, support, and
education to individuals and families affected by cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach,
the Center offers a range of treatment options and support services to improve patient outcomes
and enhance quality of life.

About Man Up to Cancer

Man Up to Cancer is a non-profit organization committed to helping men avoid isolation during
their cancer journeys. With a network of local chapters and a vibrant online community, the
organization offers resources and support to men facing cancer diagnoses, treatments, and
survivorship.

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