When Ben Mayer received his race bib for the January 2023 Chevron Houston Marathon, instead of writing his usual, “Go, Ben, go,” he wrote the words, “Cancer History” and drew a red line through them. 

“Just like the MD Anderson cancer strikethrough logo,” Ben says. “I can’t tell you how good, how powerful it felt to do that.” 

Four months after completing prostate cancer treatment, Ben had accomplished one of his two goals.  

In December 2024, he completed the second one: resuming his status as a blood donor at MD Anderson Blood Bank.  

A watch-and-wait approach to prostate cancer treatment

Ben was diagnosed with stage II carcinoma of the prostate in October 2021. He scheduled an appointment with urologist and prostate cancer specialist John Davis, M.D.

“Dr. Davis and his team were just incredible. Every time I walked in for a consult, lab work, even the day of surgery, I felt comfortable and relaxed,” Ben says. “The nurses and doctors were prepared and professional, wait times were short. I’ll always be glad that I went to MD Anderson.”  

Because Ben was only 54 at the time of his diagnosis and prostate cancer tends to grow slowly, Davis recommended taking a watch-and-wait approach rather than treating the cancer right away. “It was more slow and steady wins the race,” Ben recalls.  

He could still live life fairly normally, continuing to run and be active with his wife and young daughter.  

Prostate cancer surgery, then a marathon

When Davis suggested scheduling surgery in October 2022, Ben was ready.  

“It’s always in the back of your mind,” he says. “You’re always wondering, ‘How long can I hold off?’ I was ready to not have this hanging over my head anymore.” 

Ben had just had one question for Davis. "I asked him, ‘If we schedule this for October, what are my chances of being fit enough to run by January?’ And he answered, ‘I don’t see why not.’” 

Ben recovered from the surgery relatively quickly, with no complications. 

“Everything pre, during and post-surgery was smooth, and I felt comfortable knowing I was in good hands,” he says. 

His training was limited “nowhere near as rigorous” as it would’ve normally been, he adds. But Ben was more motivated than ever.  

With a reminder of what he’d been through on his marathon bib, Ben crossed the finish line of the 2023 Houston Marathon with a time of five hours and twenty-four minutes.  

It was a milestone for many reasons, but it also marked Ben’s 25^th Houston Marathon finish.  

He patiently waited almost two years before reaching his next milestone. 

Becoming a platelet donor 

In October 2024, Ben received an MD Anderson Blood Bank email stating that his B+ blood type made him an ideal candidate for platelet donation.  

“I’m finally two years out from prostate cancer surgery and have been told I can now donate blood. I’m excited to do this again. I want to give back!” he replied. 

Until his cancer diagnosis, Ben had been a regular blood donor. Growing up, he saw his parents regularly give blood and realized it was a crucial way to support one’s community.  

“I always donated blood; I always felt it was important simply because I was able to,” he recalls. “I was bummed to get prostate cancer for all the obvious reasons, but I was really bummed that I couldn’t donate blood.” 

Now, Ben says he can both pick up where he left off and start a new type of giving journey. 

Giving platelets is a marathon 

He researched platelet donation, noting the hour-and-a-half time commitment, but said the extra hour or so is a minor inconvenience compared to the good the donation will do. 

“However I can give back or help the most, that’s what I want to do,” he says. “Plus, the blood bank technicians make you feel comfortable and are very professional.”  

Since October, Ben has donated platelets twice. Doing good feels good, but it also reinforces the fact that his life is finally back to normal.  

“Running the marathon was like giving blood. It meant ‘I beat this,’” Ben says. “I didn’t care about my time or performance. There was never a more important reason to run. 

After what he’s been through, he also knows there’s never a more important reason to donate blood to MD Anderson Blood Bank. “Everyone deserves to be able to run their race, to get back to living their life.” 

Schedule your appointment at MD Anderson Blood Bank.