When you think about cancer, there’s one word that pretty much sums it up – ‘stupid’. Yup, the amount of damage and heartbreak that cancer has caused brings plenty of unpleasant words to mind, but ‘stupid’ is the one that one national organization has chosen to represent its sentiments and feelings towards the scourge.
A couple of weeks ago, representatives from The Stupid Cancer passed through Buffalo, sharing their message that cancer has the ability to inflict itself upon anybody, regardless of age, gender, race, etc. The traveling assemblage made a point to make Buffalo one of the stops along its 5000 mile, 14 day, 14-city road trip. The arrival of the grassroots activists signaled the countdown to an even larger event, called CancerCon. CancerCon is considered the “premiere oncology conference and networking event for the young adult cancer movement.” The event takes place April 28 to May 1, 2016 in Denver.
Young adults (15-39), a largely unknown group in the war on cancer, account for 72,000 new diagnoses each year; one every 8 minutes. Stupid Cancer is the dominant non-profit healthcare organization giving a voice to these millions of people affected.
“CancerCon and The Stupid Cancer Road Trip are unifying events designed to empower anyone affected by cancer,” says Matthew Zachary, C.E.O. and founder of Stupid Cancer. “I’m equally thrilled to also announce the election of our new chairwoman, Thea Linscott, a public relations and brand development expert, teen cancer survivor and champion of our mission. Thea has worked with us over the last four years in developing the Stupid Cancer brand and elevating our national platform.”
“Stupid Cancer is the bullhorn for the young adult cancer movement and I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve as its chair,” says Thea Linscott, chairwoman of Stupid Cancer, and now 17 years cancer-free. “Matthew Zachary and Stupid Cancer’s Board of Directors are dedicated to growing the organization among the cancer and non-cancer communities, ensuring no one faces this disease alone.”
Following is an interview with Kenny Kane, EVP Mission, Stupid Cancer.
How did the event go over in Buffalo?
The Stupid Cancer Road Trip stop in Buffalo went well! Big Ditch Brewery set us up in a private room where we had more than a dozen survivors showed up to connect, joined by friends family and caregivers. It was inspiring to have people share their stories with each other and know that they are not alone.
Is it held here each year?
No, this was our first time in Buffalo.
How was the response locally, leading up to the big day – April 28, 2016 in Denver?
The local response to the Stupid Cancer Road Trip making its stop in Buffalo was very well received. Many people were posting about it on social media. We knew that the young adults living with cancer in Buffalo wanted an opportunity to come together and that’s why we decided to make it happen. We hope to come back soon again.
Who are the organizers locally?
We worked with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, who has been a great partner for us locally, and help us get the word out.
Has the event been growing?
The Stupid Cancer Road Trip has grown consistently each year. We expanded the Road Trip to Buffalo because of the conversations happening on social media. We’ve seen a direct relationship with out social media footprint and how many people show up. For example, when we started the Road Trip five years ago, the organization had 15,000 likes on Facebook. Today, we have more than 325,000. This has significantly contributed to turnout.
Aside from the event that took place on the 9th, are there other ways that Buffalo supports the effort?
Roswell Park Cancer Institute has been a major supporter of Stupid Cancer and the Stupid Cancer Road Trip. Our hope is that after we leave, the conversation continues in Buffalo. Survivors now have the opportunity to plan events locally and meeting up again, whether semi-monthly or monthly, given their proximity to each other.
What is the end goal? Where do you go from here?
The Stupid Cancer Road Trip is a 14-city expedition leading up to CancerCon, the premiere oncology conference and networking event for the young adult cancer movement, taking place April 28 – May 1, 2016 in Denver. We have 12 more stops between Buffalo and our destination and look forward to connecting many more survivors.
What should people be looking out for next year?
We haven’t yet announced plans for the 2016 Stupid Cancer Road Trip, but you can always learn more atwww.StupidCancerRoadTrip.org and www.CancerCon.org