YESTERDAY, we helped start a movement.
TODAY, we are setting the pace.
TOMORROW, we will change their world.

“If you’ve learned anything from me through all of this, do something with it to make a difference, to make things better.”

Before she died, Melissa had a last request of her mom. Lauren’s response was simple, “I promise.” Twenty-five years later, the impact of that promise still reverberates. Each day, we “make a difference” for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer.

But much more needs to be done. Each year, 90,000 AYAs are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Every six minutes, a young person hears the words “You have cancer.” Every six minutes, somewhere in our country, a young life is interrupted and for far too many, that interruption is forever.

To meet this challenge, 13thirty Cancer Connect is committed to keeping the promise our Founder and Executive Director, Lauren Spiker, made to her daughter - “to make a difference, to make things better.” Our vision is big and bold:

Every teen and young adult with cancer has the resources necessary to transform challenge into strength, uncertainty into resilience, and vulnerability into personal power in order to live their lives fully and with purpose.

To realize that vision and ensure long-term sustainability, we seek to raise $250,000 by November 2026 when we will celebrate our 25th year. With this level of support, Melissa’s living legacy will endure for another 25 years and beyond. A promise made is a promise kept.

To read more about the campaign, click here.

The Power of a Promise Campaign

A Legacy Lives On