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David Diaz Sr
Executive Director
David Diaz Sr. is a prostate cancer survivor and the Executive Director of The Reluctant Brotherhood, a worldwide prostate cancer support group. A passionate advocate for patient empowerment, David is the author of "How to Use AI to Win Against Your Prostate Cancer: Empowering Your Journey with Intelligent Questions" and is committed to equipping individuals with the skills to take control of their health by communicating effectively with their doctors. Drawing from his own experience as a Stage 4b prostate cancer survivor, David leads and mentors others to provide practical guidance through online support group meetings with the goal of helping others navigate their prostate cancer journey, understand their diagnosis and treatment options, and enhance their emotional well-being. This mission also coincides with his personal mission that is driven by the belief that healthcare should focus on proactive wellness, not just the absence of illness, and that patients, through education and innovative AI tools, can learn to ask intelligent questions, and have more productive dialogue with their doctors, and ultimately achieve holistic well-being. Find out more at TalkToYourDoctorAI.com
MODERATORS
Jacques Pierre
Executive Producer - Beyond Prostate Cancer Podcast
& Reluctant Brotherhood Moderator
As a prostate cancer survivor, I serve as the Executive Producer of Beyond Prostate Cancer, a podcast from The Reluctant Brotherhood.
My personal journey began with a prostate cancer diagnosis, followed by surgery and complications from radiation cystitis. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of both the physical and emotional toll this disease can take.
In my role as a moderator, I lead online support group meetings for men at all stages of their prostate cancer journey. These gatherings provide a safe, judgment-free space where men can share their fears, treatments, setbacks, and successes with one another.
Prostate cancer not only changed the direction of my life, but also gave me a renewed sense of purpose. Through the podcast and support groups, we explore strategies for coping, find strength in community, and offer each other hope.
If you’re navigating this journey or know someone who is, we are here to help.
Joel McGill
Joel McGill serves as a moderator for The Reluctant Brotherhood faith-based prostate cancer support group, walking alongside men who are navigating both the physical and spiritual challenges of this disease.
After being diagnosed with high-risk prostate cancer, Joel journeyed through surgery, radiation, and ongoing hormone therapy. Like many men, he faced not only medical decisions, but deeper questions of identity, fear, surrender, and faith—questions that rarely get addressed in exam rooms.
Grounded in his Catholic faith, Joel believes accompaniment is essential to becoming the men God created us to be and that no man should walk this road alone. He creates a space where men of all faith traditions can speak honestly, listen deeply, and support one another with strength, humility, and brotherhood—without pretense or pressure.
After a long career in global high-technology partnerships, Joel now serves as parish business manager at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. He cherishes time with his wife Becca, their children, and grandchildren.
Joel is grateful for this opportunity to serve and believes that even in suffering, God is at work forming resilient, faithful men who can carry one another forward.
Please include Joel’s photo with his moderator listing.
Karl Walter
Karl Walter is a 64-year-old retiree and moderator for The Reluctant Brotherhood’s Caregivers’ Support Group. In late 2021, his life partner Bob began a long journey that led to a diagnosis of prostate cancer with distant metastases.
Together, often with little guidance from the healthcare system, they navigated androgen deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, and external-beam radiation. While Karl has filled many practical roles, he believes the most important part of caregiving is being a consistent, strong, empathic presence.
Karl spent many years working in the mental health field, leading both support and therapeutic groups. He believes caregiver peer support strengthens resilience, empathy, and endurance. He is also a recent culinary school graduate and cooks a mean pozole verde.
Please include Karl’s photo with his moderator listing.
Bob Downey
Bob Downey is a prostate cancer survivor and moderator for The Reluctant Brotherhood. He was diagnosed in 2022 with Stage 4b prostate cancer at age 52 and underwent ADT, darolutamide, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Bob’s experience navigating an aggressive diagnosis and a complex healthcare system made him a strong believer in self-advocacy and peer support. His professional background is in clinical laboratory science and laboratory management, and since 2004 he has volunteered in Haiti improving access to quality medical care.
Bob lives in San Diego with his husband Karl and their dog Lucy.
Peter Kafka
For more than eleven years, Peter Kafka has worked as a prostate cancer advocate, helping men navigate treatment options, imaging, and emerging interventions. He moderates free, live online and telephone support groups and often accompanies men to medical appointments to help them better understand their options.
Peter emphasizes staying informed and connected, believing access to current information and peer support can be life-changing.
Our Mission, Vision & Goals
Global 501c Nonprofit
The Reluctant Brotherhood, a multinational 501c nonprofit prostate cancer support group with Prostate Cancer Patients at the forefront of its concern.
Our Mission & Values
The mission of The Reluctant Brotherhood is to provide clarity, solidarity, and levity to those who are suffering from prostate cancer (PCa) and its consequences.
- Clarity – This organization provides avenues for information, education, and support during all phases of PCa (diagnosis, treatment, and recovery) in familiar, non-judgmental. and jargon-free forums – both on- and offline.
- Solidarity – The Reluctant Brotherhood consists of men who have/had PCa. We stand with each participant and offer real-world experiences, perspectives, and support for those who must make decisions that often cannot be reversed. A typical virtual gathering will be of men of mixed ages, prognoses, and knowledge; and are focused on providing support in an emotionally intelligent manner.
- Levity – Humor is a tool central to the manner in which information is disseminated, points are made, and tension is managed. It is never meant to be hurtful; rather, humor provides a way to attain understanding during a time of personal upheaval. Also, as you will see, the Reluctant Brotherhood are family-like friends and have no doubt shared deep emotional issues, resulting in a familiarity that lends itself to enhancing the experience we call the Reluctant Brotherhood.
Our Vision and Goals
PCa patients are overwhelmed with important scores, statistics, and other facts that do not necessarily provide information regarding the “soft” side of this disease; namely, to understand the scope, learn to cope, and find hope through the lens of PCa. It is our vision to be seen as an adjunct to any member’s team of professional providers. The Reluctant Brotherhood is committed to being the premiere source for those seeking solutions to the impact of PCa.
- Understand the Scope – Through careful listening, the experienced members place an emphasis on “the big picture” by providing realistic perspectives of a given situation.
- Learn to Cope – A PCa cancer diagnosis is an intimate disease. Treatment may include a combination of radiation therapy, hormone manipulation therapy, and or surgery. While these prospects are confusing and fraught with misunderstanding, the consequences of any of these modalities can devastate all elements of well-being and identity.
- Find Hope – Those diagnosed with PCa will very likely deal with it for years. Too often, individuals feel depressed, becoming distant from loved ones, and apprehensive about their future. The Reluctant Brotherhood provides suggestions, guidance, and referrals based on their own experience to maximize hope.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to realize our vision and meet our goals. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
