For Dr. Edward Wright, surviving prostate cancer was not just about beating the condition; it was about turning survival into service. Out of his journey came The We Can Win Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to educating, supporting, and saving lives through awareness and early detection.
What began as conversations with his wife has now become a movement. The foundation’s very first event, a virtual symposium during COVID, drew more than 350 attendees. For Dr. Wright, that moment was proof of something he already knew: Black men want to talk about their health. They just need someone they can trust to start the conversation.
That trust is exactly what makes The We Can Win Foundation different. Across Dallas County and beyond, men quietly reach out to Dr. Wright, sometimes after years of silence, because they see in his story a reflection of their own fears and hopes. They confide in him about symptoms, anxieties, or the reluctance to get screened. And increasingly, they call him after receiving a diagnosis, looking for guidance and support.
“Some of my friends have told me, ‘Eddie, I wasn’t even given the same options you had,’” he says. “That’s heartbreaking, because it shows how unequal this system can be. But it also reminds me why I do this work, so that men know their choices, and they don’t have to walk this road alone.”
His willingness to be vulnerable about his own journey has created a ripple effect: other men feel empowered to share their experiences too.
In many ways, The We Can Win Foundation has developed a system of trust—something too often missing in Black men’s healthcare. For generations, medical institutions have overlooked, dismissed, or mistreated men of color, leaving scars of mistrust.1 But here, in this space, trust is rebuilt through honest dialogue, unbiased information, and the presence of someone who has walked the road himself.
The foundation’s impact extends beyond one-on-one conversations. Its symposiums, education sessions, and community events are safe spaces where men can show up fully, without stigma or shame, and leave with tools that could save their lives. Families are included, too, recognizing that cancer doesn’t just affect individuals; it affects whole households and generations.
Fundraising and growth haven’t been easy. As a small, African American–led nonprofit, securing big sponsorships remains a challenge. Yet the foundation continues to expand, launching scholarships, deepening partnerships, and reaching hundreds of families. Every event, every call, every man who leaves with a new understanding of his health is a victory.
“We want to create safe spaces for Black men to know their options, understand their risks, and take action,” Dr. Wright explains. “This isn’t just about saving lives, it’s about saving families, saving communities, and building legacies.”
In a culture where silence around health has cost far too many lives, The We Can Win Foundation is proving that conversation, compassion, and community can be just as powerful as any treatment.
References
- Hostetter, M., & Klein, S. (2021, January 14). Understanding and Ameliorating Medical Mistrust Among Black Americans. Retrieved from The Commonwealth Fund: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/newsletter-article/2021/jan/medical-mistrust-among-black-americans
