Loch Anderson and Allyn Perkins’ motto is to live each day well. Not one day at a time but living well every day. They understand firsthand how a cancer diagnosis can change your life. That’s why they encourage others with prostate cancer to call them for questions and advice — and when the phone rings, they are ready to answer that call. That’s just a fraction of the impact they are having on Men’s Health at UW Medicine. As the co-chairs of the UW Men’s Health Council, they are also working to bring the conversation surrounding men’s health out into the open.
In recognition of their dedication, Loch and Allyn have been awarded the 2024 Ragen Volunteer Service Award. Named after the late civic leader Brooks Ragen, the award acknowledges length and breadth of service — from a volunteer, faculty or staff member — that advances the mission of UW Medicine.
In 2015, Anderson was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Their journey from patients to advocates started when they began looking for the answers they weren’t given during his initial treatment.
“The side effects of both surgery and cancer treatment are not pretty,” says Anderson. “Honestly, it was life-altering. It’s quality-of-life, not quantity-of-life, issues. And, as we were navigating through some of the follow-up treatments, we wanted to make sure that men going through what we were, need to have a continuum of care.”
Paul Lange, MD, creator of the Institute for Prostate Cancer Research (IPCR), took the call from Anderson when he was searching for more answers.
Their cross-disciplinary team of experts also included Bruce Montgomery, MD; Peter Nelson, MD; Hunter Wessells, MD; and Tom Walsh, MD, MS, who all worked together to care for Anderson and Perkins. With Loch’s prostate cancer in remission, Loch and Allyn were inspired to give back, and as donors, volunteers and co-chairs of the Men’s Health Council, it became their turn to answer the call.
“Loch has touched many men’s lives,” says Perkins. About once a month, a newly diagnosed patient will call them, saying they were given the number by a friend of a friend. Anderson tells them to get a notepad and gladly sits down for an hour-long conversation.
“A doctor told us that you don’t fight the cancer because it’s not curable,” says Anderson. “You’re not going to win, but we’re going to dance with it. And it really is a totally different mindset — a positive, joyful approach instead of a bitter battle. Actually, it’s a good analogy for what we’re doing with the Men’s Health Council.”
Through the UW Medicine Men’s Health Council, the team of doctors and volunteers are working to change the narrative around health issues that directly impact men through both outreach and fundraising. The council supports initiatives across the entire spectrum of health issues impacting men at all ages and stages of life. “We need to be open and vocal about it and not be afraid to share the experience,” says Anderson. “For example, getting guys to schedule their annual physical. Guys will get their oil changed in their car on a regular basis to be proactive. But will they go to the doctor for an annual physical? No. So, let’s change that and have conversations about it.”
“Loch and Allyn have been incredibly inspiring to me as a physician and leader,” says Hunter Wessells, MD. “First, they help each member of the team at the Men’s Health Center realize the impact they have, every time they meet with a patient; second, by encouraging creativity in how we support our young faculty and trainees, our most precious resource; and lastly, they inspire the highest and most meaningful accountability to our relationships with our donors. To make sure we deliver on the compact that we have with a grateful patient or family.”
Along with being vocal leaders in advocating for Men’s Health, Anderson and Perkins are leading fundraising efforts for Men’s Health and Urology research and innovation. They have established the Endowed Professorship for Men’s Health, which supports the Men’s Health Center at UW Medicine, and the Portia Prettie Anderson Endowed Faculty Fellowship for Urology Innovation which supports innovation and faculty professional development in the department of Urology. As a current priority, they are spearheading the effort to support male fertility research and sperm preservation for patients.
Through their leadership at UW Medicine, Anderson and Perkins have made tremendous impact on others, but they say they have gained so much more. Perkins says, “Our lives are so much richer because of the friendships we’ve made through the Men’s Health Council. The passion and professionalism of Dr. Wessells and Dr. Walsh is just amazing, and the support we get is unbelievable. Actually, the award should go to the entire council. It’s all of us together, and we’re accomplishing really good things.”
“While it has been an honor to participate in Loch’s care, it has been even more rewarding to build the bonds of close friendship with Loch and Allyn over the last eight years,” says Walsh. “Loch and Allyn epitomize kindness, generosity and unparalleled ability to overcome any obstacle. They are selfless in their commitment to helping others achieve health, happiness and contentment. They have inspired me to be better, more generous and more altruistic in my own personal and professional life. They have taught me to never take for granted the impact of my words and actions to improve the lives of others.”
When asked what they hope their legacy of their support and advocacy will be, Anderson says, “To continue to move the needle for men to be more proactive in their healthcare.” That includes having open conversations about medical issues in men’s lives along with investing in research. Together they are working to remove the silence and stigma surrounding men’s health.
Through their work as advocates and donors, Anderson and Perkins are moving the needle to help all men live longer, healthier lives. As Perkins says, “It wasn’t the road that we thought we’d be on, but it’s been a phenomenal road.”
Written by Patsy Cadwell
