Men’s cancer support group starts at Sentara Brock Cancer Center

“I didn’t get radiation or chemotherapy, so I didn’t think I belonged in this group,” said prostate cancer survivor E.B. Moore Jr. “The guys told me, ‘No, you belong because you’ve heard the words, ‘You have cancer.’”

Moore is part of the Man Up to Cancer support group that meets in-person the second Wednesday of every month at Sentara Brock Cancer Center in Norfolk, Virginia. You can also join the group remotely. 

Due to a lack of awareness, stigmas surrounding masculinity, and a lack of male-centered support groups, many men don’t seek community when facing a cancer diagnosis. However, support groups are proven to lessen feelings of isolation and help you stay motivated throughout your journey.

“I may not be able to ride in the back of an ambulance or run into a burning building, but I can still help people,” said Adrian Manning, who retired as a firefighter at the age of 45 after being diagnosed with colon cancer. “As soon as the doctor told me I had cancer, I wanted to fight to ensure no man goes it alone.” 

Manning went to a different support group, but the members were all woman, and he felt like he couldn’t connect. 

That’s when he learned about Man Up to Cancer. Founded in 2020 by Trevor Maxwell, a stage four colon cancer survivor, it’s one of the few nationwide communities that helps men facing cancer stay connected and supported through in-person meetups, chat groups, annual retreats, and local chapters.

In September 2024, co-leaders Kevin Johnson and Jim Edmondson seized an opportunity to grow the group by meeting with Sentara leaders at Sentara’s Beyond Cancer: The Thomas A. Alberico, MD Lectureship and Retreat. The event brings together cancer survivors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

“We bought two tickets, put on our Man Up to Cancer shirts, got some brochures, and sort of crashed the party,” said Johnson, who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic cancer (a slow-growing blood cancer) five years ago. “Ironically, one of the guest speakers was talking about supporting men with cancer and basically said they were still looking for solutions.” 

After the speeches were done, Johnson approached the event’s namesake, Thomas Alberico, M.D., medical director and oncologist at Virginia Oncology Associates, and a member of Sentara’s Board of Directors. Dr. Alberico welcomed the idea and connected Johnson with leadership at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. 

Stronger as a pack

Man Up to Cancer’s mission statement is, “We are smarter and stronger as a pack than we are as lone wolves.” As of 2025, more than 3,000 men have joined the group, going from lone wolves, wanting to “tough it out” to part of the supportive pack. 

“This isn’t religious, identity, or political based,” said Manning. “When you walk in here, you’re a brother wolf. You’re not alone. That’s what I love about this.” 

Edmonson (far left), a colon cancer survivor, and Johnson (far right), a blood cancer survivor, smile proudly with their pack of wolves at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center. 

“We were put in touch with the amazing Arkeisha Smith who helped us start our in-person men’s support group at the center and we’ve had it for almost a year now,” said Johnson. “We’ll also be vendors at this year’s Sentara Beyond Cancer event.”

Arkeisha Smith, patient experience consultant at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center, said people like Johnson are essential to ensuring the success of supportive programs. 

“The men who come to the Sentara Brock Cancer Center, or who are treated elsewhere, now have a support group they can attend,” said Smith. “We’ve created a Sentara flyer for them and have placed it at the front desk. We’re excited to see the impact they have.”

Johnson said Sentara has helped grow the Man Up to Cancer Virginia chapter from eight to 36 men and that the Sentara Beyond Cancer event was the launch point.

“The reason I’m passionate is because we get so many men with stage 3 and 4 cancers, and I’ve seen what this group does for them,” said Johnson. “It gives them hope.”

For more information on the Men's Support Group at the Sentara Brock Cancer Center or Man Up to Cancer, contact Kevin Johnson, Virginia Chapter Co-Leader, at kevinvbtech@gmail.com or (757) 477-4147.

To sign up for this year’s Sentara Beyond Cancer retreat on Saturday, October 25, you can register here.