Cancer Support Group For Men

Let’s face it - just reading the word cancer conjures all kinds of gremlins in our minds.

Remember this gnarly-looking gremlin from my Inner Critic post last week?



Well, it’s screaming BIG TIME whenever the ‘C’ word is mentioned.

Hell, I had a small basal carcinoma on my forehead a few years ago. Thankfully, it was caught very early by my dermatologist and he removed it with clean and clear results. Living in Colorado where the altitude at our home is above 6,800 feet the sun is very strong. Whenever I go out the most prominent feature on my face, my nose and my forehead look a bit ghostly white from sunscreen. Eventually my skin absorbs said sunscreen and I go about my day whether it’s taking the furry family out for a hike or working around our horse property.

Oh, and, I always wear a floppy wide-brim hat to protect my face.

Ode To Cowboy Hats
No cowboy hats on this dude.
Tried it before.
Not a good look - it was crude.
Some guys have a cowboy hat head.
No, no, no, not me.
End of story I said.

The women in my family also had cancer over the years. Fortunately, they are all survivors. You never know who, when or where cancer will change lives.

A few days ago (May 18) I read a post on Facebook that shook me to the core. Matt, one of the guys I worked with for close to a dozen years at Starbucks lost his 18-month battle with cancer. He was a good friend to many and we had bonded over coffee and through our mutual passion for photography. I was devastated when I read his wife’s post that Matt had multiple surgeries, blood transfusions and other procedures over the 18-month period after a visit to the emergency room. They kept it very quiet on social media until the last hours of Matt’s life and she posted again when he transitioned to the other side of the veil. One of my other friends who also worked at Starbucks and who also knew and respected Matt connected with me so that we could support one another and to offer support to Matt’s wife and their children. Challenging times for all.

CANCER CAN STRIKE ANYONE AT ANYTIME
Approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes (based on 2015–2017 data).
Some of the cancers that most often affect men are prostate, colorectal, lung, and skin cancers.

What is the most common cancer in men?
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States. How common is prostate cancer?
The American Cancer Society’s estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2024 are:
* About 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer
* About 35,250 deaths from prostate cancer(1)

More than ever we clearly need an extra-ordinary support system including men who have or have had cancer. We are strong together!

(1) References: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

These are some of reasons why I’m prepared to lead a Cancer Support Group for Men beginning this year. The aspect that makes this special are the horses who are involved in our Equine Gestalt Coaching programs. As certified Master Gestaltists my wife and I work with many people from surrounding communities and over the phone or online wherever they live. In addition to our Gestalt practice the horses are the reason our clients make great strides in their self-healing and contact us when they are ready for more in-depth exploration.

There are many cancer support networks for women for which I am grateful and happy to support. In fact we are proud to say that our facility at Harmony’s Heart Coaching is the home of Hope Held By A Horse in Colorado. This NPO hosts weekend retreats once a month for women who have or have had cancer. This program is totally for women only so they feel comfortable sharing their stories within the circle.

I’m not so sure there are similar cancer support networks for men and I’m working with Hope Held By A Horse to start the previously mentioned men’s group this year.



"You can be a victim of cancer or a survivor of cancer. It's a mindset."
Dave Pelzer


For more information and to get on a waiting list send an email to [email protected]. They are actively collecting names and they will be in touch.

Please forward this post to anyone you know who can benefit from a cancer support group, men or women. All are welcome. Remember, we’re in this lifetime together for a reason. Don’t let it pass you by.


This one is for you Matt!

In Gratitude

Glenn