A Look Back at Our Journey — and a Call to Action for Yours
**Since 2010, Blue Cure has taken bold steps to challenge stigma, reframe the prostate cancer conversation, and inspire life-saving action through creative, grassroots advocacy. From fashion shows to cross-country tours, from celebrity support to city hall campaigns — and even supporters skydiving, cycling the MS150, or reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro — every step in our journey was designed to get men talking — and families acting. Whether we were lighting buildings blue or driving 8,867 miles across the U.S., the goal was always the same: inspire earlier detection, healthier living, and better outcomes for all men.
If you’re reading this, you can take action in your own community:
- Ask your local sports team to wear blue in September — National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
- Call your city hall and request they light their building blue.
- Share your story. Share this site. Start a conversation.
Because one voice — even a quiet one — can spark powerful change.
From city halls to clubhouses, from teammates to brothers — every action counts.
2010: Seeds of Advocacy
At age 35, Gabe Canales was diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer — a form typically slow-growing, confined to the prostate gland, and not likely to spread. With no symptoms and no family history, the diagnosis was a shock — and a wake-up call.
Gabe turned to what he knew best: communications, marketing, and storytelling. He appeared on CBS News Houston, launched the Journey with Prostate Cancer Facebook page (which quickly grew to over 7,500 early supporters), and began connecting with survivors, patients, and families. (Today, that same page has more than 210,000 followers.)
Gabe’s first television interview after diagnosis — CBS News Houston, 2010
2011: From Diagnosis to Mission
Blue Cure Foundation was officially founded. With support from philanthropist Dr. Carolyn Farb, actress and cancer survivor Fran Drescher, and the late actor and survivor Sir Roger Moore, Blue Cure gained early visibility. NFL Quarterback Matt Schaub proudly wore Blue Cure gear, helping open media doors.
Our first major public event, the Neiman Marcus Men’s Fashion Show in Houston, drew 300+ attendees and featured mannequins in storefronts wearing Blue Cure shirts. Media coverage followed — and so did momentum.
2012–2013: From Court to Community
After speaking to the University of St. Thomas men’s basketball team, Gabe was approached by a player inspired to do more. Blue Cure Basketball was born — with youth teams wearing Blue Cure gear across seven Texas cities. Every jersey worn, every tournament played, was an opportunity to encourage PSA screenings, promote prevention, and spark conversations at home.
The deeper goal? Inspire fathers and grandfathers — using sports as a bridge to family health conversations. Camps followed. PLEX owner Danny Arnold and St. Thomas partnered to lead training while Gabe shared his story — planting seeds of prevention and advocacy early.
2014–2015: Lighting the Way — One Building at a Time
Blue Cure launched two national visibility campaigns: #SignForDad and #WhiteHouseBlue, calling on President Obama to light the White House blue for one evening during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
Leaders, athletes, and citizens joined the #SignForDad campaign — raising voices for early detection and awareness.
Though the White House wasn’t lit, the effort sparked a nationwide ripple effect. Mayors, cancer centers, and businesses began joining the movement to #LightItBlue — illuminating buildings across Houston, Boston, Seattle, Phoenix, and more.
National landmarks and institutions joined the movement to #LightItBlue — proving that even bold awareness efforts can begin with a single voice.
“Though the White House was never lit blue, homes, hospitals, and city halls across America were — proving that when a small voice speaks boldly enough, others will carry the light.”
2015–2016: Expanding Impact
NFL stars like Chris Myers (who joined Blue Cure’s Board), J.J. Watt, and Matt Schaub wore Blue Cure shirts, attended events, and helped draw national media attention. This wave of support expanded our reach — and helped launch the Blue Cure Lecture Series, featuring:
- Dr. Margaret Cuomo (A World Without Cancer)
- Whole Foods Co-Founder John Mackey
- Lifestyle medicine pioneer Dr. Dean Ornish
- Consumer advocate and environmental activist Erin Brockovich
These weren’t just lectures — they were calls to action for prevention, lifestyle change, and empowerment.
2017: Setback and Survival
Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston and forced Blue Cure to cancel its Night Run fundraiser — with major financial loss. Our lecture with Erin Brockovich was postponed to 2018. But Blue Cure kept moving, leaning on community and creative communications.
2018: Strength in Stories
Blue Cure expanded bilingual outreach, digital content, and lifestyle-driven survivorship education. We spotlighted real men’s stories — survivors, caregivers, patients — to unite and inform diverse communities.
2019: The Cross-Country Men’s Health Tour
Gabe embarked on the 8,867-mile Blue Cure Men’s Health Tour, visiting 40+ cities nationwide. Through social media, interviews, and community conversations, he shared his journey and highlighted local men’s health statistics, encouraging screenings, healthy habits, and action. The goal: turn awareness into personal and community change.
2020–2022: A Pandemic Shift
COVID-19 paused events, but it reignited our purpose. Gabe doubled down on mental health advocacy — speaking out about isolation, grief, and the invisible challenges men face. During this time, Blue Cure used its platforms to break stigma and offer support.
2022: Sharing the Story
Gabe published his first book: Unexpected Diagnosis: Prostate Cancer and the Wake-Up Call to Live Healthier and Live Smarter, further amplifying Blue Cure’s message of prevention and hope.
2023: Rebuilding for a New Era
As public life reopened, Blue Cure began rebuilding its infrastructure, updating websites, and preparing for a new wave of engagement, education, and impact — both online and in communities.
2024: Podcast, Presence, and People
- Podcast Launch: Blue Cure launched the Men’s Health Podcast, interviewing urologists, oncologists, lifestyle doctors, mental health advocates, and survivors.
- Website Relaunch: BlueCure.org got a full makeover — with easier navigation, stronger storytelling, and clear pathways to get involved.
2025: Fifteen Years and Forward
This year marks 15 years since Gabe’s diagnosis. Blue Cure recommits to its mission: save lives through education, early detection, and advocacy. We’ll continue to spotlight prevention, share stories, and light the path for others to take charge of their health.
— and the journey continues.