Do You Know A Man Like Me?

Chances are you know a man like me: A man diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

My name is Steve and in many ways, I’m very blessed. My beautiful wife Karen and I have been together since we were undergrads. We are fortunate to live close to our wonderful adult daughters, Emily and Dani, and our granddaughters Nina and Jojo. They call me “Pops” and I can’t get enough of their hugs and laughter. My girls are my everything, and they inspire me to fight this awful disease every day.

My first prostate cancer diagnosis was right after my 50th birthday. I was shocked. I was healthy and had no history of the disease. 

Soon after finding out about my diagnosis, I had a radical prostatectomy and hoped for the end of my cancer ordeal. A year and a half later, I was proud to say I was a cancer survivor.

But last year, I became a patient again. My cancer returned, and was even more aggressive. Karen and I were stunned when the doctor told us I had advanced prostate cancer and that there was no easy fix.

This year, I’ve done chemo, radiation, and other treatments. The many medicines that helped me during my first fight no longer work. The doctors have said there are no more treatment options for me. Any new treatment options are only viable with the urgent help of added research funding. I was appalled -- how could it be that so few options are available for one of the most prominent cancers among men? 

“Now, things are getting scarier. I need more treatment options, and I need them now..”

Over our many decades together, Karen and I have shared so many precious memories, from raising our girls together, and now watching them have children of their own. I want to be around for decades to come so that we can experience even more together. But I can only do that with the passionate help of the prostate cancer community, and new research opportunities.

Karen and I have witnessed our daughters grow up to be amazing young women. I’ve walked our daughter Emily down the aisle at her wedding, and have  been blessed with two beautiful granddaughters that I love to spoil. I am fighting to build more memories with my family as a loving grandfather, father, and husband. This will only be possible with new treatment options for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Things truly are getting scary for us, but this holiday season I want it to be about family, laughter, and love. I plan to cook many delicious, home-cooked meals for my family to share around our big dining room table. Watch Karen's video where she shares how Steve makes Christmas special for their family.

I will savor the moments I have with my family, and not feel defeated by cancer. I’m hopeful that new drug treatments will be available soon to keep me alive.

“ZERO really makes a difference. ZERO has prolonged my life.”

Donations to ZERO will help create research funding for the development of new drugs. With enough funding and the support that ZERO provides, we can get this done. I want to spend many more Christmases with my wife, daughters, and granddaughters. My hope is that next year at this time, I will have received better news, will be feeling stronger, and will hopefully proclaim, “I’ve kicked cancer!”