Patient Stories Archives

“There’s Still A Lot We Can Do”

PCF thanks Mr. Merzer for sharing his personal story, and for his dedication and support during the 100 Miles in March walking challenge. It is inevitable. It is part of life. It is how it all works. Sooner or later, preferably later and not frequently, bad news arrives. For me. Read More

Know Your Risk. Be Your Own Advocate.

Matt Fish, a 47-year-old Veteran, has an important message for younger men. Know your history and risk factors for prostate cancer: if you’re over age 50, if you’re Black, or have a family history of cancer. Matt adds to that: if you’ve served in the military. And if you’re concerned,. Read More

Prostate Cancer Treatment at the VA: One Veteran’s Journey

David Atkinson has lived his life in service: from West Point, to boots on the ground at Operation Desert Storm in 1991, to his free time spent as a volunteer for the National Ski Patrol. He’s always been “that” guy, the one you want to look over and find, by. Read More

Sheffler Strong

When Pat Sheffler’s son needed to sell some more insurance to hit his bonus, Pat did what any good dad would: he bought more insurance from him. Before Brandon Sheffler could issue the new policy, his dad needed to undergo a routine physical; no problem, because Pat Sheffler, at age. Read More

Love Story

Milton and Shawni Wilborn met in high school more than 30 years ago, but they weren’t high school sweethearts – although, they found out later, they both wanted to be. “She was seeing someone else,” says Milton. “I’d always try to talk to her; she would just giggle. Senior year. Read More

Nate Cornell Scares Up Money for Prostate Cancer

Have you ever thought to yourself “I’d like to make a difference but I don’t know how to do it.”? Nate Cornell didn’t! Nate, age 11, ran his own haunted house this Halloween, raising over $500 to benefit life-saving prostate cancer research. The Cornell boys, Nate (11), Ben (12), Zach. Read More

How to Be Your Own Best Advocate

Alan Gelband has an undetectable PSA. Two years after robotic prostatectomy for organ-confined prostate cancer, he has come through diagnosis, treatment and recovery, and life is good. But he will never forget what it was like during that time, and because of that, he shares what he has learned with. Read More

A New Lease on Life

Part I: A New Lease on Life (pun intended) Are you the kind of person who thinks things happen for a reason? Len Bellavia wasn’t. He’s more like your classic mover and shaker - the kind of guy who knows everyone, who people listen to – because it’s so clear. Read More

The Long, Wet Road Back to Normal

Incontinence after radical prostatectomy sucks. But for nearly all men, it goes away. For the very small percentage in whom it doesn’t, there is help. JP Mac (John P. McCann) is an Emmy award-winning animation writer who worked for Warner Bros. and Disney, and a novelist. He is also very. Read More

“There’s More Hope All the Time.”

Metastatic prostate cancer can turn on a dime. For too long, a sudden shift in the disease has meant bad news. But now, more and more men are seeing a sudden turn in the right direction. Jeff Finerman is one of them. In a very short time, Jeff has gone. Read More