Bill McLaughlin is a 75-year-old “take charge” kind of guy who never approaches life halfway. He faced his diagnosis of prostate cancer in 1995 with intelligence and determination. He sought expert advice, learned from medical journals about cancer, and sought out and participated in a clinical trial to help better his odds of survival.

However, Bill believes his real contribution is how he has committed himself to helping other prostate cancer patients survive the disease. He began by attending an Us Too! support group meeting.

"For two years, I stayed quiet in those meetings. I didn't tell friends or colleagues or anyone that I had cancer and then I came out of the closet. I decided I needed to pass on the information I had learned to others struggling with this disease," Bill remarks.

Today, Bill remains true to that commitment. He helped to organize two local Us Too! prostate cancer support group chapters. He is a member of the Buffalo Niagara Prostate Cancer Consortium, where patients have the chance to have their cases "peer reviewed" by consortium members representing the various disciplines associated with the treatment of prostate cancer (urologists, radiation oncologists and patient advocates). Bill is a patient advocate for the group. He offers his time as a cancer coach to University at Buffalo medical students, helping to train future doctors on how to deliver the bad news of a cancer diagnosis. He also is involved in a prostate cancer resource center at the area's veteran's hospital.

"It's my passion," Bill remarks. "If we can help someone who is newly diagnosed know what questions to ask their doctors and let them know that the big C is not a death sentence, and then maybe we will have made a difference in someone's life."

Bill's fight with prostate cancer is ongoing. Two years ago, the cancer returned and had metastasized to the bone. Bill received hormone therapy and his prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels became undetectable.  But mostly Bill devotes much of his time and energy to educating and supporting others with prostate cancer.

Bill's message of hope for the holidays: "There are men who have faced the same challenges as you and are willing to share their time and experience to help you through the tough decisions needed to be made by each man diagnosed with prostate cancer. Information and support are available for the asking. Please ask. We will be there for you."