AZPCC Mentor Warriors
These mentors are eager to share their experiences and discuss your journey with you. If you'd like to be in contact with one of them, please make a note of the mentor's name (first name and last initial) and use the link provided below to complete the Mentor Match request form.
Bruce W
Gilbert, AZ
Born 1950
An Arizonan since 1957, Bruce retired from a tier one financial institution in 2016 as Vice President and Marketing Manager after 44 years with the firm. He is married to Linda, and together they enjoy travel and vintage sports cars.
Diagnosed with PCa in 2/2018 following an MRI-guided biopsy (Gleason 4+3 & 4+4), Bruce received a Da Vinci prostatectomy in 4/2018. His PSA remained undetectable until 7/2020, when he experienced a biochemical recurrence. Bruce pursued a 68Ga PSMA-11 PET/CT at UCLA that identified oncological activity at an unexpected site, and has since been treated with Eligard ADT and 30 sessions of photon radiation. Today he is enjoying a closely-monitored undetectable PSA level, and vigorously encouraging others to take active roles in their own treatment.
Us TOO support group & Arizona Prostate Cancer Coalition participant. Resource familiarity. Still close enough to the initial PCa experience, research, and decisions to help a newly diagnosed person explore his options and ID a course of action.
David R
Phoenix, AZ
Born 1945
I've been happily married since 1996, have a daughter and three grand boys. I'm originally from New York and have lived in Phoenix since 1976. I'm an avid reader and a bit of a gym rat.
I was diagnosed in 2000 with a Gleason of 9; had a radical prostatectomy. I've taken Lupron and other ADT medications over the years. I had SBRT on a stubborn lymph node, followed by Provenge. I've been on Xtandi since 2014.
I've been a mentor to a dozen-or-so men over the years through another organization. I've participated in both support and focus groups. I try to keep up with the latest information available on reputable websites.
Visit the AZPCC Mentor Match page to request that a specific mentor contact you
Heiner E
Scottsdale, AZ
Born 1956
I am married and have 5 children (4 boys and 1 princess), 11 grandchildren (9 girls, 2 boys), and 2 miniature dachshunds. Originally from Bavaria, I came to the US in1984. I live in Mesa, AZ and also have a home in Westlake Village, CA.
In 2018, I was diagnosed with PCa after my PSA increased from 1.7 to 3.2 within 2 years. After joining UsToo groups and 2nd opinions from 4 other doctors, I elected to have MRI Guided Focal Cryo-Ablation surgery. I'm now cancer free since 5 years.
I have mentored about 12 men with prostate cancer here in Arizona, California, and Germany. I am also an active participant in 2 UsToo support groups in Scottsdale and Chandler, as well as the Arizona Prostate Cancer Coalition.
Phil D
Gilbert, AZ
Born 1971
Originally from the UK, I've lived in Arizona the majority of the past 25 years, and solidly the past 18 (with family). I'm still working, but enjoy the outdoors - hiking and traveling, and Arizona's fine beverage-producing establishments.
Due to family history, I'd been screening for a while. I was diagnosed in early 2020 due to an elevated PSA (4.9), with a follow-up biopsy revealing 9 of 12 cores with Gleason 3+3. I underwent robotically-assisted radical prostatectomy in June 2020.
I'm an active participant in an UsToo support group, and now am also an Arizona Prostate Cancer Coalition participant. I'm not too far removed from my own experience and research into treatment options that were available to me.
