How a "Horrible Voice" Found Its Purpose in the Fight Against Prostate Cancer

“You in the back--stop singing!” The kindly words of the Mother Superior/Principal of St. Brendan’s rang out loud and clear. She said, “Just mouth the words; your voice is horrible, don’t sing, you will ruin the May grammar school graduation performance."

Five months later, I was stunned when my high school English teacher suggested I join the public speaking and debate team. Knowing I had a terrible voice, I declined. He smiled, suggested I think about the offer overnight, and, in closing, casually mentioned that he was the coach of the school's winning debate team and the grader for my many upcoming English and Composition exams.

The next day, I “signed up” and, unknowingly, began what would evolve into a lifelong communications career as a professional speaker, radio host, Public Relations Executive, and adjunct group communications/speech professor for several universities, among other roles.

A diagnosis and nagging questions

Time marches on, and at age 70, in the weeks following recovery from a 5-hour Gleason 9 prostatectomy, I once again began to reflect on mounting performance concerns, the least of which was reconsidering how well I might sing.

Questions such as “How did I miss the signs of a growing cancer, despite consistent yearly physical exams?,” and “Why do so many men ignore physical exams and symptoms for years, or worse, fail to address a prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis?” At one point, I looked into the guidance offered by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and concluded that the suggested preventive prostate health suggestions fell short of my expectations.

Noticing the gaps of prostate cancer awareness and prevention

Reviewing prior mass media research conducted while completing my MA in Media and Mass Communications revealed that for over 25 years, millions of advertising dollars had been invested by countless national and public service organizations for prostate cancer awareness and prevention, yet top-of-mind awareness of the disease and its lack of warning signs remained low, especially compared with breast cancer awareness. This suggested that piling on additional promotion money was not the solution.

Finding my voice

I decided to test the impact of real-time, personal speaking engagements with men before, during, and after a PCa diagnosis. Soon after becoming President of the National Speakers Association CT and a member of the Global Speakers Federation, the idea of forming the Prostate Cancer Coach took shape.

I connected with local hospitals, several national men's health groups, a pharma company, and a university, where I found audiences and began speaking about my newfound PCa experiences.

Thanks to one organization’s involvement, we were able to devote ourselves to understanding the disease process, stay current on new developments, and advocate for others to receive the care and support they and their families needed when facing prostate cancer.

Our impact has been huge

We were able to bring guest speakers to our group, including medical professionals who also discussed the psychological aspects of the disease, as well as contributing cardiologists and dietitians. From serving as a patient advisor at one hospital, others and I migrated over to the hospital-affiliated Tallwood Urology and Kidney Institute, where we were able to:

• Offer guidance and feedback on prostate cancer education and support programs
• Serve as a liaison between the ongoing support group and a pre-operative education program for men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Provide one-to-one support for men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer

We've made real change

Our group’s combined leadership and guidance allowed us to be instrumental in expanding support for men with prostate cancer. What began as a support group for men at one hospital grew into a network that provides support and education throughout Connecticut. At our recommendation, physicians began educating the community on topics including:

• Screening tools for prostate cancer
• New options in radiation treatment
• New options in chemotherapy
• The meaning of androgen deprivation therapy
• Coping with a diagnosis of prostate cancer
• The role of integrative medicine in managing symptoms of prostate cancer
• Life after prostate cancer treatment: managing erectile dysfunction and incontinence

In 2014, I founded the National Prostate Cancer Awareness Foundation, Inc. At its core, the foundation and its now-remaining partner, The Prostate Cancer Coach(s), is a speaker’s bureau dedicated to educating men and women about protecting themselves and their families from prostate cancer.

To date, I have written hundreds of articles and produced numerous videos on the impact of prostate cancer on both patients and caregivers, the important conversations men need to have with their medical providers, new prostate cancer tests, and suggestions on possible ways to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

A new chapter

In May 2022, my wife of 57 years passed unexpectedly. As of May 2026, I remain in remission, and in 2025, I am happily remarried to a wonderful widow who said: "All in all, you are not too bad off for a guy who was diagnosed with a Gleason 9 in 2013 and, to this day, cannot sing a single note."