Matt Cross: Championing Young Leaders
Matt Cross is driven by a single purpose: to help young men grow into leaders. He primarily does this by setting an example.
As a youth hockey coach originally from Toronto, now living in Raleigh, he emphasizes courage and responsibility to his athletes. “I’m always trying to encourage and teach my athletes to be courageous and be brave and to be responsible,” he affirms.
His mission took on a new dimension after he received a cancer diagnosis at 36.
“Working with many families and young people, I realized there was a reason for what I was going through,” he explains, recognizing this as an opportunity to demonstrate resilience to his family and friends, as well as to show young people how to navigate significant obstacles in life.
The catalyst for his confrontation with adversity was a visit from his father, who was grappling with heart issues.
Cross offered to wear an Apple Watch for their EKG readings and, when his own came back abnormal, he promised his dad that he’d consult a doctor.
“During my physical, I thought, ‘Hey, why don’t you check out this lump?’” he recalls, having noticed it for months but, like many guys, putting off the doctor’s visit until he felt a pressing need.
That pressing need arose from his father’s health situation and the abnormal EKG results.
On Christmas Day in 2019, he received news that he was diagnosed with stage 2B testicular cancer, which starts in the testicle.
This type of cancer is notably the most common among men aged 15 to 35, with the standard treatment often involving the surgical removal of the affected testicle.
As a coach, he understood the importance of fighting but was eager to see a victory. Initially disappointed not to find a bell in his doctor’s office—a symbol of many cancer survivors celebrating their remission—he endured multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy, culminating in 15 days of infusions.
“On my final day of treatment, they had installed a bell,” he shares, expressing joy at being able to celebrate that milestone.
“As a cancer patient and survivor, learning to celebrate every win, big or small, is crucial,” he mentions.
This sentiment is something he has shared with his athletes and their families.
“Cancer teaches all sorts of life lessons at once,” he states.
“For many, it’s overwhelming, and you just focus on surviving. But if you can reach a point where you’re learning, growing, and helping others, that’s the way to go,” he believes.
“Getting sick was the most incredible thing that ever happened to me. It’s a bit crazy, I know.”
Throughout his cancer journey, he was buoyed by the support of the hockey community.
He remembers receiving emails, texts, and even GoFundMe contributions. Many local hockey teams showed their support by taping their sticks in purple and donning ribbons on their jerseys.
This outpouring of encouragement motivated him, “I felt a responsibility to recover for them,” he insists.
Now, five years in remission, he is dedicated to his mission of leadership. Exactly one year after his diagnosis, he established the Raleigh Testicular Cancer Foundation to raise awareness about testicular cancer and promote men’s health.
“Our slogan is ‘Check Your Acorns,’ a light-hearted way to encourage men to perform self-exams,” he explains.
His goal is to break down the stigma surrounding men’s health so that they prioritize doctor appointments and annual check-ups.
Cross draws attention to the normalization of self-exams for breast cancer and believes men need that extra push to heed their bodies’ signals.
“It’s not about being tough; it’s about saving your life. Early detection can greatly improve survival rates,” he points out.
Diagnosis: Young. The New Face of Cancer in NC
“Diagnosis: Young. The New Face of Cancer in NC” is a documentary that investigates the troubling trend of cancer affecting younger adults in North Carolina and beyond. The film follows three individuals in their 20s and 30s who faced unexpected cancer diagnoses, raising the pressing question: Why is this occurring?
