LEAD NEWS
3rd Annual OMG! Cancer Summit For Young Adults Hits NYC on 5/23
The OMG! Cancer Summit For Young Adults is a major international oncology conference and social networking event for young adults affected by all cancers, as well as for their caregivers and providers. Young adults are an orphaned generation whose support needs are
continually underserved. OMG! is the “All Star Game” for the young adult cancer movement, bringing together the nation's foremost advocates to discuss our most relevant issues. Join the hundreds who descend upon NYC from all over the world to get educated, organized, mobilized and united as one global community. [free registration]
Healthcare Reform!
We celebrate the creation of health care reform that will positively impact the lives of people affected by cancer across the United States. It is a huge big step forward for the rights of cancer survivors and we can think of no better way to articulate how proud we are than by reiterating this statement released by LIVESTRONG CEO, Doug Ulman: "Study after study has shown that those who lack insurance or who are underinsured have higher cancer mortality rates than those who have insurance and therefore better access to care. This new law will provide access to health insurance for 32 million Americans who would otherwise be uninsured. This law will end discrimination by insurers against those with preexisting conditions and end arbitrary annual and lifetime caps on health insurance benefits. For the first time in our nation’s history, routine costs for clinical trials that can save lives and improve the quality of life for many others will now be covered by insurance. And for young adults faced with a cancer diagnosis, a demographic that has long been forgotten by our current health care system, they can now be covered under their parents’ insurance policy until their 26th birthday". Thanks Doug! [link]
Zac Efron Gives Cancer The Bird, Supports Young Adults With Cancer
Famed actor and singer Zac Efron has chosen to use his celebrity status to endorse the I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation and take on the cause of young adults fighting stupid cancer. In full support of our mission, Zac slipped on one of our stupid cancer wristbands and started wearing it all about town in Hollywood with his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. Zac, who was introduced to i[2]y via his cousin Emily – currently in treatment for Ewing Sarcoma – has supported the launch of Zac Gives Back, a TwitPic photo competition to crowdsource the largest group photo of wristband wearers giving cancer the bird. Top prize winner receives a $250 gift card to the iTunes Store. Contest ends 4/15. [link]
Season 6 Of The Stupid Cancer Show Welcomes Co-Host Lisa Bernhard!
The Stupid Cancer Show – "The Voice Of Young Adults With Cancer" – entered it's Sixth Season in style this January by cracking 50,000 listeners in 20 countries with over 175 broadcasts under it's belt. But the real game changer is the addition of 14-year young adult breast cancer survivor Lisa Bernhard as Matthew's new co-host. An acclaimed journalist, Lisa is the former Deputy Editor of TV Guide as well as the former Entertainment Correspondent for the FOX News Channel. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and perspective to the broadcast each week and is opening doors to incredible new guests. Tune in this month for Dr. Robert Croyle, Director, Division of Cancer Control for the National Cancer Institute and Melinda Henneberger, Editor-In-Chief of PoliticsDaily.com. Listen LIVE every Monday at 9pm! [website]
 |
Team Stupid Cancer Tackles The 2010 NYC 1/2 Marathon With Grace
Team Stupid Cancer, the nation's first running team organized to exclusively support the young adult cancer community and the mission of the I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation, was inaugurated this Spring to race in the NYC 1/2 Marathon on Sunday, March 21st. Over $10,000 was raised and our heartfelt thanks go out to all of our team members: Francesca Giessmann. Stefan De Nooijer, Louise Youngson, Patric Reilly, Andrew Froude, William Fernandez, Ivan Santillan and – most miraculously – Jack Bouffard. We'd like to take Team Stupid Cancer national so if you are interested in organizing a local team in your community, please let us know. [website]
|
Stupid Cancer Survey II Sheds Light On Young Adult Survivor Consumer Attitudes, Hatred Of WalMart
 Surviving cancer isn't just about the acute. It's about the long haul. So while we're living with, through and beyond stupid cancer, we still buy things. We still need bank accounts, cars and clothing. This study looked further into how young adults affected by cancer think, learn, behave, engage with life and purchase things differently than the general youth culture. The differences are staggering and this market research lends an invaluable tool to better understanding and serving the unique needs of the young adult community. Thank you to everyone who participated and congratulations to those of you who won the over $2,500 in iTunes gift card giveaways. [website]
Perez Hilton Cares About Stupid Cancer By Not Scrawling On Zefron Pic
Nefarious entertainment gossip blogger and television personality was gracious enough not just to pick up our Zac Efron celebrity endorsement deal but to not slap his trademark, nasty hand-scrawled doodles on our photo. Thanks for the pickup, and for helping us generate like 30,000 web hits in one day. [link]
MAJOR EVENTS
06/10 • New York City • The 4th Annual Stupid Cancer "UnGala"
 It's time to raise our glasses and take to the dance floor once more with the 4rd Annual Stupid Cancer "Un-Gala" in NYC. Please join us as hundreds come together for an elegant "no-black-tie" evening of support, community and the raw power of the stupid cancer movement. Be there or be square. Angel sponsorships available. [tickets]
06/12 • Rochester, NY • The 3rd Annual Stupid Cancer Young Adult Boot Camp
Stupid Cancer Boot Camps are community-focused educational and advocacy training seminars as well as social networking support events for young adults affected by all cancers, as well as for their caregivers and providers. Young adults (15-39) are an orphaned generation whose support needs are continually underserved. Boot Camps bring together the region’s foremost experts to discuss our most relevant issues. Please join us this June and help your young adult cancer community get educated, organized, mobilized, empowered and united as one in the fight against stupid cancer. [free registration]
Spring/Summer 2010 • Young Adults With Cancer Expressing Themselves
In support of the 8th Annual National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week®, which takes place the first week in April, Vital Options presents Surviving Idol: Young Adults with Cancer Expressing Themselves. This international talent competition will feature young adult cancer survivors (see official rules) at any stage of their cancer journey in vocal, instrumental, and dance categories, with winners in all three categories. Through the Surviving Idol competition, we seek to inspire and nurture the creative process that is healing and expressive, and delivers a message on behalf of young adult cancer awareness. [link]
|
|
GOOD STUFF
SeventyK.org
Approximately 70,000 Americans aged 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year. For over three decades there has been little or no improvement in both survival rates and quality of life for this forgotten population. By signing this bill, you are supporting the "Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Bill of Rights" to be established as a standard for care to meet this underserved population. [link]
Childhood Cancer Survivor Research Study On Workplace Experiences
A research team at Rice University is investigating the positive and negative experiences that childhood cancer survivors have at work. If you were diagnosed under the age of 18 and are now older than 18 and working full- or part-time, fill out this online survey. [link]
Matthew Zachary Proudly Accepted Into Patient Power 'Hall Of Fame'
Matthew Zachary has been nominated and accepted into to the Patient Power 'Hall Of Fame' as someone who has made a big difference to others. Founded by cancer survivor Andrew Schorr, Patient Power is devoted to helping individuals and their families through knowledge, to get the best medicine and return to good health. [link]
Facebook? Never Heard Of It.
Facebook has been good to i[2]y. Our cause page has raised almost $10,000 and membership just surpassed 24,000 supporters! In addition, our Fan Page just hit 6,000! We also now have 44 regional groups including two newly launched online chapters in: Atlanta and Baltimore! For a complete listing of all our regional FB groups, including the i[2]y Siblings Group, visit http://fb.i2y.com.
MUST READ
Kairol Rosenthal: "How Will The Healthcare Reform Bill Impact Cancer Patients?"
Lots of us want to know how the new Healthcare Reform Bill will impact cancer patients. This is the longest post Kairol has ever put up on her blog because there’s a lot of info to cover. Still, these are just the highlights – there is so much more to cover. [link]
NY Times: "How Different Types of People Will Be Affected by Healthcare Reform?"
 While it is impossible to gauge the precise impact of the overhaul, since many options vary by location, this is a great chart articulating some of the main ways the overhaul will affect certain types of households. (Article by Farhana Hossain) [link]
i[2]y IN THE NEWS
10 Ways Social Media Will Change In 2010
Can Pop Culture Cure Cancer?
Young Adults And Cancer
The i[2]y Cancer Foundation
Inside & Out: Zac Efron
i[2]y: An Awesome Cause
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JACK BOUFFARD?
02/27/10 – Atlanta, GA
10th Annual Young Women Affected By Breast Cancer Conference
03/06/10 – Des Moines, IA
The Survivorship Connection Conference
04/10/10 – Boston, MA
"I'm Too Young For This" Conference
05/01/10 – Los Angeles, CA
City of Hope Survivorship Seminar
05/17/10 – Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona Digital Global Congress
POSSIBLY INTERESTING
Will This Discourage Snooki?
We Don't Need No Stinking Calories!
It's Star Trek. With Chemo.
Big News From Captain Obvious
If A Melanoma Falls In The Woods...
eHarmony For Stupid Cancer?
Does It Get More Puritanical Than This?
Dear Media: Never Call Us Victims!
There's A Punchline In Here Somewhere...
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
i[2]y Founder/CEO Matthew Zachary: Daddy-To-Be Times Two
 In case you haven't heard, i[2]y Founder/CEO Matthew Zachary and his wife Jessica are expecting twins (a boy and a girl) sometime this spring (early-mid May). Lower your expectations for a timely response to that email as he may be neck deep in double poo-splosions. This will be the couple's first (and last) children. [belly]
GET INVOLVED
|
