Jerry McCormick Confronts Prostate Cancer, Builds Community for Black Men

Mccormick speaking at a San Diego Press Club Event.

By San Diego Monitor News Staff

SAN DIEGO — When longtime San Diego resident and former journalist Jerry McCormick received a prostate cancer diagnosis earlier this year, he decided to face it the only way he knew how: by transforming a personal battle into a mission for the greater good.

McCormick, 57, first realized something was wrong when frequent nighttime bathroom trips began interrupting his sleep. The issue escalated rapidly, and after one night of getting up more than a dozen times, he sought medical help. What followed was a series of tests — a digital exam, a PSA blood test that came back at 18 (far above the typical reading of under 4), and an MRI and biopsy confirming cancer in nearly half of his prostate.

But rather than retreat, McCormick stepped forward.

Drawing from his decades as a journalist and storyteller, he has chosen to speak openly about his diagnosis — and about the disproportionate impact prostate cancer has on Black men. Across the country, Black men face higher diagnosis rates, more aggressive forms of the disease, and significantly higher mortality.

“We hear a lot about breast cancer, and that awareness saves lives,” McCormick says. “Black men deserve the same level of urgency when it comes to prostate cancer. We can’t afford silence.”

In a conversation with San Diego Monitor News Publisher Shane Harris, McCormick shared that his goal is to “turn my test into a testimony” — using his journey to uplift others — and to build “a community of healing for Black men suffering with the same thing.” He believes that collective strength, shared stories, and culturally grounded support can transform outcomes.

To help create that space, McCormick is working with UC San Diego to launch a support group specifically for Black men facing prostate cancer. The effort aims to offer camaraderie, education, and a sense of belonging for those who often navigate the disease alone.

For McCormick, the mission is personal — but its impact is intended to be far-reaching.

“If my story encourages even one man to get screened earlier,” he says, “that’s a life potentially saved.”

As he continues his own treatment and healing journey, McCormick is committed to building a network that empowers Black men across San Diego to talk openly, get tested, and support one another.