Man Up to Cancer

What Man Up to Cancer does

Man Up to Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 93-3745038) that operates the largest peer-to-peer support community in North America for men impacted by cancer, with 1,110+ members, 50+ local chapters, and nearly 900 meetups hosted in 2025. Founded in 2019 by stage IV colon cancer patient Trevor Maxwell and formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 2024, the organization delivers its core services through four channels: the Men's Cancer Group online community (Circle platform, launched November 2024 replacing a prior Facebook group), local chapters hosting in-person and video meetups, the Chemo Care Backpack program (free comfort-item backpacks shipped to members in treatment, with nearly 1,000 distributed since 2022), and the annual Gathering of Wolves retreat (165 attendees in 2025, the largest ever held). Specialized chapters for men of color (Men of Diversity, launched September 2025), LGBTQ+ members (Pride Chapter, launched November 2025), and adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients extend the addressable population.

The organization generates no revenue from membership fees; funding comes from individual donations processed via Donorbox, corporate sponsorships and event partnerships (AstraZeneca as 2026 flagship partner, with Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sanofi, and diagnostics firms Natera, Exact Sciences, Guardant Health, and Lucid Diagnostics as additional supporters), and a merchandise storefront powered by Printful. Operating from Cape Elizabeth, Maine with a 1–10 person staff led by first full-time Executive Director Matt Kozlovac (hired July 2025), the organization is governed by a board chaired by Michael Holtz and is expanding geographically into Canada and across additional North American chapters in 2026. The underlying technology stack is intentionally lightweight — a Squarespace-hosted website, the Circle community platform, Donorbox for donations, and Captivate.fm for podcast distribution — with no proprietary software, AI capabilities, or app store presence.

Name

Man Up to Cancer

Legal name

Man Up to Cancer

Website

https://manuptocancer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Man Up to Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs the largest peer-to-peer support community in North America for men impacted by cancer, delivering online community (Circle platform), 50+ local chapters, care backpacks, and an annual retreat, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN# 93-3745038) funded primarily through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising campaigns. The website prominently features a donate button linking to Donorbox for general funding and program support.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Industry partners including pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Sanofi), diagnostic companies (Natera, Exact Sciences, Guardant Health, Lucid Diagnostics), and other healthcare companies sponsor programs and events, providing revenue for the organization.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise (t-shirts, backpacks, apparel) through Printful with typical 3-7 day fulfillment. All sales are final with no refunds.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Man Up to Cancer is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free peer-to-peer support programs for men impacted by cancer. Its core offerings are an online member community (Circle platform), 50+ local chapters with in-person and video meetups, a Chemo Care Backpack program that ships free care packages to men in treatment, and the annual Gathering of Wolves retreat.

Product overview

Man Up to Cancer is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of peer-to-peer support programs for men impacted by cancer. The core offerings include an online community platform (Men's Cancer Group on Circle), over 50 Local Chapters with in-person meetups, a Care Backpacks program shipping comfort items to men in treatment, and the annual Gathering of Wolves retreat. The organization also provides content through a podcast, newsletter, and video testimonials, plus merchandise through an online shop. Additional specialized chapters include the Men of Diversity, Pride, and AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) chapters, which serve specific demographic groups within the broader cancer support community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gathering of Wolves (GOW): Annual retreat for male cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers blending traditional camp experience with purposeful programming
• The Howling Place
• MUTC Backpack Program
• Pack it Forward
• Men of Diversity Chapter
• Pride Chapter

Products and services

• Men's Cancer Group
• Local Chapters
• Chemo Care Backpack Program
• Gathering of Wolves (GOW) Annual Retreat
• Man Up to Cancer Merchandise Shop
• Men of Diversity Chapter
• Pride Chapter
• AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) Chapter

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,800+ global members served as the largest community in the world for men with cancer
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, general and lead sponsor.

• AstraZenecaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026AstraZeneca serves as the flagship partner for 2026, supporting Man Up to Cancer's programs and mission to support men with cancer. As a major pharmaceutical company focused on oncology, this partnership aligns with their commitment to cancer patient support and advocacy.
• ZERO Prostate CancercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026ZERO Prostate Cancer is the beneficiary organization of the Blue Jacket Fashion Show and a key advocacy partner working toward a future where prostate cancer detection is early and care is accessible to all.
• Man Cave HealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Man Cave Health partnered with the Blue Jacket Fashion Show, sponsoring PSA testing locations to translate awareness into tangible action for prostate cancer early detection.
• LISCgeneralGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), one of the nation's largest community development organizations, joined as a sponsor in 2026. Works to close systemic gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity.
• Cancer Hope NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Marielle Santos McLeod, Director of Strategic Programs and Partnerships for Cancer Hope Network, joined Man Up to Cancer's board. Cancer Hope Network provides one-on-one peer support to adult cancer patients.
• American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Mitch Stoller, President of Stoller Strategic Group and former Chief Philanthropic Officer and VP of Development for AACR, joined Man Up to Cancer's board, bringing expertise in cancer philanthropy.
• Johnson & Johnsonlead sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Johnson & Johnson is the exclusive healthcare sponsor and lead supporter of the Blue Jacket Fashion Show, a partnership that helps amplify awareness and encourage men to take ownership of their health through early detection. Celebrating 10 years of partnership in 2026.
• BayercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Bayer Oncology sponsors Man Up to Cancer's Chemo Care Backpack program and Gathering of Wolves retreat. Scientists from Bayer's Cambridge Research Center participated in packing 65 backpacks for shipment to patients.
• PfizercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Pfizer partnered with Man Up to Cancer for the Amplify Humanity Quilt project, featuring Man Up to Cancer's original leadership team members' portraits alongside other oncology patient advocates. The quilt travels to major oncology events globally.
• NaterageneralGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Natera participated as a corporate sponsor at the 4th Annual Gathering of Wolves (GOW) in 2025, joining other healthcare and oncology organizations to connect with attendees.
• Exact SciencesgeneralGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Exact Sciences partnered with Man Up to Cancer for a patient advocacy webinar on MRD (Molecular Residual Disease) testing with their Oncodetect test. Trevor Maxwell participated as a patient speaker.
• SanofigeneralGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Sanofi participated as a corporate sponsor at the 4th Annual Gathering of Wolves in 2025.
• Lucid DiagnosticsgeneralGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Lucid Diagnostics participated as a corporate sponsor at the 4th Annual Gathering of Wolves.
• BuoygeneralGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Buoy participated as a corporate sponsor at the 4th Annual Gathering of Wolves.
• Guardant HealthgeneralGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Guardant Health participated as a corporate sponsor at the 4th Annual Gathering of Wolves.
• Fight Colorectal CancercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Fight Colorectal Cancer is a nonprofit partner at GOW, advocating for colorectal cancer awareness and research. Introduced members to Man Up to Cancer's programs.
• No Shave NovembergeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025No Shave November partnered as a nonprofit at GOW 2025, supporting cancer awareness efforts.
• Colon Cancer CoalitiongeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Colon Cancer Coalition participated as a nonprofit partner at GOW 2025.
• Imerman AngelsgeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Imerman Angels, a cancer support organization providing one-on-one peer support, partnered at GOW 2025.
• Colorectal Cancer AlliancegeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Colorectal Cancer Alliance participated as a nonprofit partner at GOW 2025.
• Bladder Cancer Advocacy NetworkgeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network participated as a nonprofit partner at GOW 2025.
• Sky HopegeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sky Hope participated as a nonprofit partner at GOW 2025.
• Stupid CancergeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Man Up to Cancer's AYA chapter is collaborating with Stupid Cancer, planning to send a delegation of AYAs to CancerCon 2026.
• Dear Jack FoundationgeneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Dear Jack Foundation collaborates with Man Up to Cancer to connect members with retreats and life-enhancing programs. AYA member Frank Blandon attended a Dear Jack Foundation retreat in Philadelphia.
• Teen Cancer AmericageneralStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Man Up to Cancer connects members with Teen Cancer America's Play it Back Experience music-making program for AYAs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Imerman Angels: Imerman Angels provides free one-on-one peer mentorship for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. It is a direct peer in cancer peer-support delivery and was an MUTC partner at the 2025 Gathering of Wolves, indicating overlapping audience and mission.
• Cancer Hope Network: Cancer Hope Network provides one-on-one peer support to adult cancer patients, matching them with trained survivor volunteers. It is the closest direct peer to MUTC's peer-support model, and its Director of Strategic Programs now sits on MUTC's board, evidencing tight competitive and collaborative overlap.
• Stupid Cancer: Stupid Cancer is the leading nonprofit supporting adolescents and young adults (AYA) affected by cancer. MUTC's AYA Chapter actively collaborates with Stupid Cancer to send delegations to CancerCon, making it a direct peer for the young-adult male segment of MUTC's community.
• Fight Colorectal Cancer: Fight Colorectal Cancer is a leading advocacy and research nonprofit for colorectal cancer patients. It is a GOW nonprofit partner that introduces members to MUTC, evidencing direct audience overlap with MUTC's colon-cancer community.
• Colorectal Cancer Alliance: The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is the largest nonprofit dedicated to colorectal cancer, which is MUTC founder Trevor Maxwell's specific cancer. The Alliance partners with MUTC at GOW and serves an overlapping male survivor population.
• Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network: BCAN is the leading advocacy organization for bladder cancer patients and serves a predominantly male population. It participated as a nonprofit partner at GOW 2025, evidencing direct peer relationship with MUTC.
• ZERO Prostate Cancer: ZERO Prostate Cancer is the leading national nonprofit for prostate cancer patients, the largest single cancer population within MUTC. It is the beneficiary organization of the Blue Jacket Fashion Show, making it a tightly linked strategic peer.
• Colon Cancer Coalition: The Colon Cancer Coalition raises awareness and funds for colorectal cancer through community events. It partnered with MUTC at GOW 2025 and addresses an overlapping patient and survivor demographic.

Emerging players

• Dear Jack Foundation: Dear Jack Foundation supports young adult cancer survivors through life-enhancing programs and retreats. It collaborates with MUTC's AYA Chapter, sending members to Dear Jack retreats, indicating peer overlap in the AYA cancer support niche.

Others

• No Shave November: No Shave November is a cancer awareness nonprofit that uses male grooming as a fundraising hook. It partnered with MUTC at GOW 2025, addressing a similar male-cancer awareness audience but with a different operational model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/to_up39060
• Facebookfacebook.com/manuptocancer1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manuptocancer

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Man Up to Cancer