About

The Markham Prostate Cancer Canada Network is a volunteer organization of prostate cancer survivors and our supporters. Our aim is to:

  • help men recently diagnosed with prostate cancer
  • promote awareness of this disease and the associated issues, and
  • provide support for men and their families who live with recurrent cancer.

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, we would like to offer assistance:

  • Monthly meetings where you can obtain information, attend presentations on prostate cancer topics, and meet with other prostate cancer patients/survivors.
    We meet the second Tuesday of every month from September to June at 7:30PM at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
  • A monthly newsletter that reports on interesting medical news, local and national events.

A Brief History

The Markham Prostate Cancer Support Group was formed in 1998 under the guidance and support of Dr. John DiCostanzo, Urologist at Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Canadian Cancer Society. Since that time we have offered support and information to hundreds of men and their families. In 2010, we joined the Prostate Cancer Canada Network (PCCN) and changed our name to Markham PCCN.

We are managed by a dedicated team of prostate cancer survivors from among our members.  We are a non-profit organization and are funded by individual donations and by our generous sponsors.

About Prostate Cancer Canada Network

PCCN Network Logo

Our network of local, independent support groups blend well with PCC’s national strategies, putting a local face in the media and with the general public.

PCCN affiliated groups are encouraged to ‘work local, think national’ because one voice on the national stage makes messaging more powerful and also gives increased visibility to local efforts and activities.

Group work includes monthly meetings, one-on-one hospital visits, newsletters, awareness sessions, parades, and presentations at health fairs and service clubs like Rotary, Gyro, and Lions. Our local groups enjoy excellent relationships with medical professionals in their community and these men and women give freely of their time and present timely talks to help educate and consult.

While prostate cancer is exclusively a male disease it sometimes has a profound impact on the family unit. Many groups recognize this and facilitate special meetings for women only. These small meetings allow women to share their feelings and concerns in a non-threatening, intimate manner.