A Cancer Resource Treasure: Stupid Cancer
In one sentence can you tell us about Stupid Cancer and its mission?
Stupid Cancer is a nonprofit whose mission is to help empower everyone affected by adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer by ending isolation and building community.
What is a fun fact about your organization?
Stupid Cancer once drove across the country to spread awareness about the unqiue challenges of AYAs – two staff members and a duck!
Can you talk more about CancerCon and its importance?
CancerCon is Stupid Cancer’s annual conference for adolescents and young adults affected by cancer. For over a decade, we’ve gathered hundreds of young adult patients, survivors, caregivers, and professionals together for a life-changing weekend of plenaries, workshops, breakout sessions, and social activities. This year we will be hosting our second virtual conference on June 11 – 13, 2021.
How are you preparing or currently dealing with cancer on the rise after covid?
As the landscape for cancer care changes amid the global pandemic, Stupid Cancer will continue to support all those patient, survivors, caregivers, and professionals by providing opportunities for people to connect and share their experiences.
What was one good thing that came out of the past year and the pandemic?
CancerCon 2020 was originally scheduled for April, and of course, we were forced to reschedule due to the rising threat of Covid-19. As a result, we hosted Digital CancerCon in June, which was our first virtual conference that was also free to attend. By removing some of the barriers to access, like travel and health concerns, we were able to welcome three times as many attendees from across the world to this life changing event.
Any new things for Stupid Cancer on the horizon?
We are excited to introduce a brand new program launching this May: Discussion Series. Facilitated by licensed professionals, this is a month-long deep dive into crucial AYA topics with weekly sessions. Each session features a presentation with small group discussion afterwards. We remain committed to addressing the needs of marginalized communities within the underserved AYA community through thoughtful discussion and robust program development.
Do you have an organization in mind that is making a difference in the cancer community and deserves recognition? Send your recommendations to Meagan Spalding at Meagan@cancer-companions.org for the chance to be featured in our next newsletter!
Resource Spotlight
Stupid Cancer is a nonprofit whose mission is to help empower everyone affected by adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer by ending isolation and building community.
