Who We Are
Offering help and hope to men by providing prostate health information
The Prostate Forum of Orange County is one of the oldest and longest running prostate cancer information and support organization in Orange County, CA. In March 1992 in Fullerton CA, The Prostate Forum was founded by Bill Behn and Murray Corwin.* These remarkable men met and decided to organize a prostate cancer support group where men would have the freedom and support to discuss any aspect of the disease without any censorship or restrictions, which in the early years of the few available support groups wasn’t allowed!
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A core group of thirteen men was organized who understood that, in addition to the usual psycho-social support, newly diagnosed men needed detailed medical information to partner with their doctor in choosing an appropriate treatment. Our name, Prostate Forum, was selected to reflect our vision of “open dialogue.”
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The recall of many sad experiences with the disease is ever present, keeping us focused on the elements of our logo: INFORMATION, EDUCATION, HOPE. We are an all-volunteer organization with all informational materials free to everyone.
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The Prostate Forum of Orange County is a member of ZERO Prostate Cancer, the leading national nonprofit with the mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted. ZERO advances research, provides support, and creates solutions to achieve health equity to meet the most critical needs of our community.
We believe all men with prostate cancer should have access to information and a network of men who can help.
Our Mission
To offer help and hope to men by providing prostate health information.
How we do it
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Through online meetings and in-person events, we provide information about both malignant and benign prostatic conditions, allowing those affected by prostate cancer to become more knowledgeable promoting earlier detection. They become more aware of options, thereby facilitating informed decisions.​
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The Prostate Forum provides a safe and caring meeting place, where prostate survivors may share their feelings, concerns and experiences, ask questions of others in similar situations and receive understanding, empathetic support.
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The Prostate Forum is available to support or initiate other similar groups related to the subject of the prostate, especially in the under-represented various ethnic communities.
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The Prostate Forum staffs a telephonic HELP-LINE as a general clearing house for objective prostate related knowledge which interested persons may call for information on prostate, support groups etc.
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The Prostate Forum provides a vehicle for patients to relay their concerns and questions to the medical experts in the field. Members are requested to share only their feelings, information and experiences with others and NOT to give medical advice since such advice is reserved for physicians.
Special Accomplishments
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We designed, produced and found funding for the first national Prostate Cancer Public Forums in 1995 and 1996. These conferences had programs with nationally renowned physicians speaking to lay audiences on the latest medical information on prostate cancer, this was a first. Those Public Forums became a successful model for over a dozen similar symposia in the major cities of the country. By using lectures and self-selected workshops, we presented an opportunity for learning in depth as well as dialoging with the experts. The 1995 Forum attracted 850 attendees from 28 states; the 1996 attracted more than 1200 attendees.
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We have assisted the initiation of 4 other prostate cancer support groups in the Southern California.
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We are one of the founding members of the California Prostate Cancer Coalition (CPCC).
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Several members of the Board are part of a "speakers bureau" to present information about prostate cancer at businesses, government offices and service organizations.
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*Note: In conjunction with filing for a 501 [c](3) status in November 2008, the name "Prostate Forum of Fullerton" was officially changed to "Prostate Forum of Orange County"
Board of Directors
The Prostate Forum of Orange County is generously supported by our volunteer Board of Directors who help to set the strategic direction of the Forum and provide support and guidance.
We are thankful for the dedication and commitment our Board continues to provide. Originally established in 1992, our Board of Directors is comprised of men who are motivated, involved, analytical, practical and who have broad experience in different professional careers. The current 6 directors, plus 4 significant advisors, bring broad vision to develop and achieve the group’s objectives and provide different perspectives for guidance and oversight to reach our goals.
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The Board of Directors are essential in providing leadership, review and direction. It is their active involvement, volunteering many hours in significant activity, which permits the Forum to grow and to continue our valuable community contribution.​
Board of Directors
Neal Berke
Chief Executive Officer / Chairman
Charles K. Metzger, MD, MBA (retired)
Executive Vice President
Wanda Salzer-Berke
Secretary
Jim Bothwell
Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer
Brian McEvoy
Chief Technical Officer
Ira Kaget
Education Director
Board of Advisors
Steve Adamson
Francis Gilbert
Russ Meyer
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Outreach Coordinator
Bill Power​​
Our Founders
The Prostate Forum of Orange County (PFOC) was founded in 1992 by the late Bill Dehn and Murray Corwin. Both men had Prostate Cancer (PCa) but neither died from it - Bill succumbed to ALS and Murray following a stroke. These men met in 1991 at a hospital support group where they shared their own personal experiences with PCa but they were then asked not to return. Undeterred, they founded their own group and by March of 1992 they had a meeting place, a flyer, and a core group of 13 men.
Subsequently, both Murray and Bill became founding members of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) and of the California Prostate Cancer Coalition (CPCC), where both served as Directors on the Board.
Murray was diagnosed in 1991, also in the early stages of the disease. A professional engineer, he quickly conducted extensive research, resulting in his choice of hormonal therapy followed by proton beam radiation and then Linear Accelerator radiation; the treatment was successful.
Bill Dehn was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in 1985. He found his urologist’s recommendation for a radical prostatectomy at age 62 to be unacceptable, so after laborious research (not easy in those pre-Internet days), he chose radioactive seed implantation, a very new treatment option in 1985.
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The challenges of their research led both men to realize that most men diagnosed with prostate cancer have very little information about their illness or their options. That realization was the motivation for their founding of the Prostate Forum; now, thirty years later, providing information, education, and hope remains the core mission of the Prostate Forum of Orange County.