It’s always incredibly difficult to say goodbye to members of our AnCan community, as each person—whether a patient, survivor, carepartner, volunteer, moderator, or a board or advisory board member—means so much to us. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ken Mason, who was one of those cherished individuals.
A true friend, Ken lived his life with an infectious zest that inspired everyone around him. His laughter was a melody that brightened the darkest days, and his kindness knew no bounds. Whether he was sharing a clever (or terrible) joke, offering a shoulder to lean on, or simply lending an attentive ear, Ken made everyone feel valued and loved. His sincerity was a rare gem, shining brightly through his genuine interactions with friends and strangers alike. A man of both humor and heart, Ken’s legacy will continue to touch lives and bring smiles for generations to come.
AnCan Founder Rick Davis said:
I loved this man.
News of Ken’s demise was just like one of his crummy jokes – no one wanted to hear it.
Ken cared so much for others. Gary described his beloved as ’empathy, silliness and love’ exuding ‘kindness’. I might add to those qualities his quick wit and sense of humor. I feel honored to have been frequently on the receiving end of Ricklesian insults.
I had the privilege of supporting Ken virtually from around 2013 onwards through his four cancers. While all relatively benign, Ken shouldered the anxiety like the trooper (or MP??) he always was. Whatever bothered Mason was never the cancer.
Mason, as he self identified, was a treasured moderator for our AnCan virtual support groups. He always empathized. If a pressing issue was not voiced, Ken surfaced and addressed it. Every Group he attended is grieving.
I will forever miss Ken’s homespun, invariably impractical advice offered with the very best of intentions. I became expert in dismissing them without offending him, and was comforted when I read he offered comparable suggestions to Howard Wolinsky.
We had the privilege of meeting several times, the first with Gary when they came to dinner. It’s timely that I recently opened the balsamic you both gave me. Ken, G-d Rest His Soul, lived so much of his life in the present right to the meditation retreat at the very end. I doubt he would have planned his demise better.
Myself as well as all who knew Mason at AnCan offer Gary and Family much comfort. For us and all who knew Ken, his memory will always be a blessing.
I loved Ken—most in the PCa world called him “Mason”—like a brother. We all did.
He kept me and everyone in stitches at support groups for men with low-risk PCa.
Ken also asked great questions—though he didn’t seem to know it. Communicating with Ken, especially privately, could create Zen moments—and laughter. He was the prototype Laughing Buddha, without the pot belly.
Ken wanted to be called Mason because as he stated he “was in witness protection (he was not) with warrants (false)” and the only way he was able to participate was to “use an alias”. While his husband Gary described him beautifully as ‘the purest, kindest soul I know’—full of empathy, silliness, and love—Ken also had a wonderful knack for delightful ‘BS,’ which, frankly, only made us love him even more.
We shared memories of Ken with Gary during the first part of our Active Surveillance meeting. If you did not get the privilege to meet Ken, we encourage you to listen to stories and some of his classic “Ken Jokes”
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 26th, 2- 5pm at Barred Owl at the Scarlet Hotel, 2101 Transformation Dr 6th Floor,, Lincoln, NE 68508. The event will be streamed virtually – AnCan will provide details. Bring your worst jokes.
Thank you Ken for all the time you graciously shared, the love, support, and the laughs. May his memory always be a blessing!
AnCan, is proud to announce that two of its dedicated patient advocates have been named to the esteemed Cancer Health 25 list. This annual recognition by Cancer Health magazine salutes outstanding individuals who are making a profound difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
The Cancer Health 25 list highlights the unwavering efforts of patient advocates who bridge critical gaps in cancer care, providing essential support, education, and resources. As the article states, “No one should face cancer alone. Luckily, a vast range of skilled and dedicated patient advocates can provide support to people with cancer and their loved ones.” The list acknowledges individuals who raise funds and awareness, build programs, share information, facilitate access to care, and much more, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities.
We are incredibly honored to see two of our own advocates recognized among such an inspiring group of individuals. This recognition underscores the vital role that patient advocates play in ensuring that no one walks their cancer journey alone. Our advocates tirelessly embody Dr. Harold P. Freeman’s vision of filling the ‘disconnect between what we discover and what we deliver’ in cancer care. We are immensely proud of their dedication and the profound impact they have every day.
Ritchie Johnson
Among those recognized is Ritchie Johnson, MBA, RN, founder of the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation and co-founder of AnCan’s Renal Medullary Carcinoma (RMC) virtual support group. Ritchie launched the Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation in memory of her son, who died of RMC, a rare and aggressive type of kidney cancer primarily affecting young African Americans with sickle cell trait. A relentless advocate, Johnson has tirelessly pushed for increased RMC awareness, funding, and scientific attention, which has led to the formation of multiple clinical trials.
Howard Wolinsky
Also honored is Howard Wolinsky, a Pulitzer Prize–nominated medical journalist and a prominent advocate for active surveillance in prostate cancer. Diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer at 63, he chose active surveillance over immediate treatment 15 years ago and has not yet required intervention. He passionately supports others navigating similar decisions, co-authoring dozens of articles in medical journals with physician-scientists. He is the editor of TheActiveSurveillor.com and is a co-founder of our Active Surveillance Prostate Cancer Group.
Our mission is rooted in the belief that shared experiences and peer support are fundamental to navigating a cancer diagnosis. The organization’s advocates work diligently to connect patients and caregivers, provide trusted information, and foster a strong, supportive community. Their inclusion in the Cancer Health 25 is a testament to their commitment and the effectiveness of AnCan’s patient-centric approach.
AnCan extends its deepest gratitude to Cancer Health for shining a light on the invaluable contributions of patient advocates and for recognizing the tireless efforts of its team members.
If you were walking down E. Luray Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, maybe you saw this house ….
In front of that house was a table…..
… not, just any table but one bedecked with a white tablecloth, candle, red rose in a vase, wineglass, empty chair and more …
As you may have guessed, this is not just any house. Captain Jim Marshall (USAF Rtd) lives here with his good wife, Gail. It was Gail who came up with the idea to set up this symbolic table
On This Memorial Day We Honor The Fallen Soldier ★★
This table is reserved to honor our brave and selfless American military members who have perished on the battlefield, those who have not been returned to us after being taken prisoner on foreign soil, and for those who went missing and have not found their way back home.
The table is round- to show our everlasting concern for our fallen and our missing, and set for one, it is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her suppressors.
The white tablecloth – symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The single red rose– reminds us of the life of each of our fallen, and the loved ones and friends who miss them each and every day.
The vase is tied with a red ribbon – a symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen and find our missing.
The slices of lemon – on the plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
A pinch of salt– symbolizes the tears endured by the friends and families of those who have fallen and of those who have not returned.
The inverted wine glass– they cannot toast with us at this time.
The empty chair– they are no longer with us.
The candle – is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.
Thank you Jim and Gail from all of us at AnCan Foundation on this National Memorial Day holiday!
You’ve heard me say it before and it never gets old… nothing gives me more pleasure than AnCan participants getting together outside our groups to meet and greet.
When a new participant in our High Risk/Recurrent/Advanced Prostate Cancer Group revealed recently he was from N. Virginia, not only was he well received by fellow locals but the cry went up for all to meet for lunch before too long. Capt. Jim Marshall led the charge by arranging a lunch in Alexandria at the end of June. I’ll let him tell you more ….
On Friday, June 30th, the DMV (District of Columbia/ Maryland/ Virginia) Brotherhood of AnCan’s High Risk/ Recurrent/ Advanced Prostate Cancer Virtual Group got together for a luncheon here in Alexandria, VA. We met at the Historic “Table Talk”Diner founded in 1976 that has changed little even in the age of rising property values and upscaling everything. On the first row of the photo L-R, is Joel Blanchette, Gary Peters and then standing L-R, myself Jim Marshall, George Rovder, Jimmy Greenfield, Cliff Collins and Richard Cramond.
It was a great opportunity to compare notes on our life situations and treatments but more important to get to know each other. It turns out I learned General Joel actually jumped out of airplanes in the younger days of his military career. Gary is a retired Federal Lawyer. George worked at the US State Dept. George’s husband is a Canadian and they are heading off camping over the 4th . Jimmy G, as we all know, is into music, can work up a real sweat (exercise) when his (new) band one gets going. In his younger days Jimmy was a full-time music teacher for kids and loved it – he still teaches young and old alike. Cliff was a Professor in the Air Force and regularly does 65-mile bike rides. Richard and I worked in close proximity in the 1970s in the forerunner of Space Force; satellites and things. As far as me, I can be found trimming a Peach Tree and also doing my daily 2-3-mile bike rides; consider I have a 15-year head start on Cliff.
We are looking forward to making this a recurring meeting during the year.
Jim Marshall
If any other AnCan’rs in any of our groups want to organize a ‘meet and greet’, please let us know and we’ll help with the contact information …. MSrs in Michigan???
I am writing with a very heavy heart to report the death of our dear Board Member, Advisory Board Member, Moderator, Participant and my good buddy, Herb Geller PhD G-d Rest His Soul.
The loss of dear Herb z”l is already reverberating around AnCan and will undoubtedly amplify as more learn of his demise. Herb touched many well beyond his Advanced Prostate Cancer ‘Brains Trust’, Moderators, Peers and Participants. The Blood Cancer group got to know him well when he attended regularly on behalf of his brother. The Pancreatic Cancer folks met him when he showed up for his next door neighbor. Our Men Speaking Freely Group loved and respected him for sharing his fears and concerns. Members of our Advisory Board got to interact with Herb as did Medical Academics and others who participated in AnCan’s research projects.
Here are a few of the words I already see bandied around –
“kind, smart, caring, thoughtful”
“My heart is heavy and I’m at a loss for words. There is something I’m feeling that I can’t express sufficiently”
“this is the deepest hurt since we lost Dominic (2015)”
“Thanks to each of you for your loving support of him and all of us for each other.”
Herb passed away from advanced prostate cancer that had evidently morphed into small cell/neuroendocrine like (NEC) disease. A late diagnosis just one day before he entered the NIH, his place of work, identified this. Herb was scheduled to undergo tests for his highly elevated endocrine markers, however the source was now evident on admission. The NIH never appeared to acknowledge or treat him for this diagnosis. It finally added a neuroendocrine oncologist to Herb’s team after 21 days after repeated AnCan prodding from the date of admission. Herb underwent research procedures related to Cushing’s Disease and its symptoms. In due course, AnCan will follow up as appropriate.
Never one to give up the opportunity to sail anything from a small dinghy to an ocean-going yacht, Dr. Herb Geller was a nationally recognized expert in neuro-biology; a profile is available on the NIH site. Herbie loved a a good Scotch, in Skye or anywhere else. On his request, AnCan did its best to sneak in a wee dram just to wet his lip in the final days but the ‘powers that be’ prevented us. I’ll have one for you tonight, Herb! And, we’ll make sure both your AnCan posters get written up for submission with credit to you.
Herb is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy, Director of the Office of Biostatistics for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the NIH. Also his younger brother, Ken, an eminent Supreme Court Advocate kennethsgeller@gmail.com. We wish Herb’s family and many friends, especially his “AnCan Family”, much comfort. May Herb’s memory always be a blessing – it certainly will be here at AnCan.
For our Jewish readers, Herb’s z”l Hebrew name is Chanan Moshe ben Aaron v’Sara; he died on 25th Nisan.
AnCan can’t say this enough times … nothing gives us more pleasure than when our Peeps meet up. Our survey last year found that some 35% of our participants make new and lasting friendships outside our groups. That’s our gift to you as well as to ourselves!
Late last month two of our sterling Volunteers met up. Capt. Jim Marshall (USAF) headed south from Alexandria, Virginia to spend a month in Melbourne, Florida, home of our Active Surveillance Prostate Cancr Moderator, Garry Tosca. Here’s what Captain Jim had to say about their lunch meeting:
During my visit down in the Melbourne, FL area in November I got to meet up with fellow AnCan Vet, Garry Tosca and his lovely partner, Trish, for lunch on the edge of the Indian River at the Old Fish House. Both of us are Vietnam Vets where my time was spent in Saigon at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Computer Operations.
Garry did less than two years in the Army with just enough time to be in the thick of fighting in numerous locations in Vietnam. He is my hero earning the National Defense Service Medal (received by all of us just for joining or drafted & affectionately known as the “pizza stain,”), Vietnam Service Medal with a couple of Bronze Stars for fighting in Campaigns, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the prized Bronze Star.
Bronze Star Medal — a highly respected military decoration given to service members who distinguish themselves while engaged in action against a foreign force
I do understand his most coveted award is the Combat infantry Mens Badge.
The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is a United States Army military decoration. The badge is awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers in the rank of Colonel and below, who fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of either an Infantry or Special Forces unit of brigade size or smaller at any time after 6 December 1941.
I did learn something I had never thought about concerning VA Disability Ratings associated with Prostate Cancer (PC). With me and the StageIV Metastatic PC plus Vietnam, it is an automatic 100% Permanently Disabled Rating; a real no brainer with a minimum of paperwork needed. Garry is on Active Surveillance now for a number of years, is also considered 100% Disabled even though he is Gleason = 6(3+3).
It now makes sense for when a Vet is undergoing treatment, he/she is rated at 100% until some kind of resolution either one way or the other. Therefore documenting in excruciating detail all that happens during Active Surveillance can be shown as undergoing treatment, actually “continual treatment“. Hopefully he will stay at 100% Temporarily Disabled for the duration even if his PC never goes beyond Gleason 6.
I want to thank Garry & Trish for being such gracious hosts and when I return in the Spring, hopefully we can get caught up on things.
Just a reminder that AnCan now runs a Veterans’ Health Navigation Support Group, attended by both Jim and Garry and expertly moderated by Capt Joe Gallo (USMC). The group includes a vast amount of experience including administrators and physicians who worked in the VA for decades. It can help with everything from ratings and benefits to treatment. We also have folks using TriCare adn Tricare for Life. Sign up to receive a Reminder at https://ancan.org/contact-us/
Ken cared so much for others. Gary described his beloved as ’empathy, silliness and love’ exuding ‘kindness’. I might add to those qualities his quick wit and sense of humor. I feel honored to have been frequently on the receiving end of Ricklesian insults.
Advisory Board Member Howard Wolinsky shares:
If you were walking down E. Luray Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, maybe you saw this house ….
In front of that house was a table…..
On This Memorial Day We Honor The Fallen Soldier ★★
On Friday, June 30th, the DMV (District of Columbia/ Maryland/ Virginia) Brotherhood of AnCan’s High Risk/ Recurrent/ Advanced Prostate Cancer Virtual Group got together for a luncheon here in Alexandria, VA. We met at the Historic “Table Talk” Diner founded in 1976 that has changed little even in the age of rising property values and upscaling everything. On the first row of the photo L-R, is Joel Blanchette, Gary Peters and then standing L-R, myself Jim Marshall, George Rovder, Jimmy Greenfield, Cliff Collins and Richard Cramond.
During my visit down in the Melbourne, FL area in November I got to meet up with fellow AnCan Vet, Garry Tosca and his lovely partner, Trish, for lunch on the edge of the Indian River at the Old Fish House. Both of us are Vietnam Vets where my time was spent in Saigon at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Computer Operations.