Sal Riley, a longtime Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) employee known for his dedication to school safety and his warm presence at schools across the county, is sharing his deeply personal journey with breast cancer in hopes of raising awareness about a disease often overlooked in men.
Riley, who has lived in Montgomery County since 2001, has spent 14 years serving MCPS. He began as a security assistant at Montgomery Village Middle School in 2008, later working at Winston Churchill High School, and eventually serving as a security specialist. In July 2025, he became a Cluster Coordinator for the Wheaton-Edison-Einstein Cluster, overseeing safety efforts for multiple schools.
In April 2024, Riley received a diagnosis he never expected: breast cancer. Like many men, he didn’t realize he could be at risk. His wife, Kisha Martin-Riley, noticed a knot near his chest one evening and urged him to see his doctor, insisting on a mammogram. That decision proved life-saving. Riley has since undergone treatment and is now cancer-free, though he continues to take medication to reduce the risk of recurrence.
“I never imagined this could happen to me,” Riley said. “Men just don’t think about breast cancer. There’s no screening push for us, no conversations. By the time many men find out, it’s already advanced.” Determined to change that narrative, Riley and his wife have launched “Cancer Doesn’t Care – Be Aware,” a grassroots campaign designed to spark dialogue and education about breast cancer in men. The couple hopes to break down stigma, encourage self-checks, and advocate for greater awareness.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 2,800 men are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer annually, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 726– statistics that can create a false sense of security. “The odds seem small, but we’re living proof it can happen,” Kisha Martin-Riley said. “Breast cancer isn’t a women’s disease; it’s a human disease. Being aware is the most important thing a man can do for himself and his loved ones.”
In addition to raising awareness locally, Riley hopes to draw attention from one of his lifelong loves– the Buffalo Bills. Though he now calls Montgomery County home, his passion for the team remains strong, and game days bring him strength through his ongoing health journey. Outside of his advocacy work, Riley is a devoted husband and father to four children: 13-year-old twins and two additional sons. His story is one of resilience, community dedication, and a desire to help others avoid late diagnoses.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches this October, the Rileys are calling on men to take charge of their health by checking themselves regularly and talking with their doctors. “Cancer doesn’t care,” Martin-Riley said. “But awareness can save lives.”
