Every year, hundreds of adolescents and young adults affected by cancer gather at CancerCon for a life-changing weekend.

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CancerCon 2027 Cleveland, Ohio

MAY 6 – May 9, 2026 | Hilton Cleveland Downtown

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Register for CancerCon 2026

Register now! Get the discount and save $50 – ends January 30.

Register Now

Apply for a CancerCon 2026 Scholarship

We’ll be accepting Scholarship Applications between January 5 – 19, 2026. Selected scholarship recipients will be notified by February 2. 

Apply Now

Explore the 2026 Agenda

Take a peek at all we have in store for the weekend!

Check it out

CancerCon is THE gathering for the

adolescent and young adult cancer community.

Each year, we bring together hundreds of patients, survivors, advocates and health professionals to learn, share, and build community.

“CancerCon exceeded all expectations. I was able to meet other survivors and talk about our struggles. . . I was proud to be a part of such an accepting community. I was proud of all the struggles that I had overcome. I no longer felt ashamed that I had this kind of diagnosis.”

- David, 28, AML
Advisory Committee Member
CancerCon 2025 & 2026
“CancerCon wound up being one of the most important weekends of my life due to the people I met and the stories that I shared and heard. It truly opened my eyes to what it meant to be a survivor and allowed me to unapologetically unpack aspects of my diagnosis that I was unaware of, all while feeling seen by the community around me.”

- Lucas, 25, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Advisory Committee Member
CancerCon 2024 & 2025
“CancerCon was the first time I was in a room where everyone understood what I have gone through, and the minute I got there people I had never met felt like family. Honestly saying goodbye and leaving all my new friends was the hardest part.”

- Perry, 25, Retinoblastoma
“It was a life changing experience, from being able to connect with others in an open, non-judgmental space and learning important topics related to the AYA community. [I] had a fun, engaging and momentous time.”

- Victor, 30, AML
“CancerCon 2025 was an incredible experience with my daughter. We got the opportunity to connect with a lot of different people including cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers, staff, and exhibitors. Each person who shared their story with us was truly a testimony of hope and resilience. There was so much relevant information in one place.”

- Kaymi, 45, Parent Caregiver
“This was a life changing event for me. I finally found a place that I really belonged. I have met some of my best friends and we have known each other only a few months.”

- Lauren, 31, Head & Neck Cancer
" CancerCon provides an open environment where cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, professions and anyone else impacted by AYA cancer can share their sadness, happiness, silver linings, hopelessness, hopefulness and despair. It’s so fulfilling to be part of an organization that provides advice, support, understanding and friendship to those in an otherwise underserved AYA cancer community."

- Barry Klein, Stupid Cancer Board of Directors Chairperson

CancerCon Scholarships

We know that the expense of attending a conference is not in every AYA’s budget. To meet this need, Stupid Cancer is able to offer a limited number of full travel scholarships to CancerCon, which include roundtrip airfare, three night’s shared hotel stay, and conference registration.

Support the Fund

The Education Gallery

In our interactive Education Gallery, researchers, industry partners, healthcare professionals, and advocates are invited to share their work via visually dynamic poster presentations designed to engage AYAs in a deeper understanding of research impacting their treatment and survivorship. 

Learn More

Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunities

Whether you are an organization or an individual, there are many ways you can support CancerCon. Show up for the AYA cancer community and make a difference in the lives of our attendees.

 
Learn More
Register to Exhibit

Meet the 2026 Advisory Committee

The CancerCon Advisory Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers who support in the planning and implementation of all things CancerCon. 

2026 Members

Tracy, CT

Luis, AZ

Rachel, NY

David, CA

Matteo, IL

Revisit Past CancerCons

Keynotes

Opening Session: Welcome & Panel Conversation

The official launch of CancerCon 2025! Opening Ceremony and Welcome from Stupid Cancer CEO Alison Silberman, followed by a dynamic panel discussion on The Highs & Lows of AYA Friendship moderated by Alique Topalian and featuring AYA community members Drea Cornejo, David Llano, and Natasha Allen.

Check out the 2025 Agenda

General Session: Dr. Francis Collins &
Legislative Advocacy

Our keynote programming continues with our Expert Voice, Dr. Francis Collins, on the Importance of NIH Research. Then, SC Board Member Cassie Beisel and Stefanie Rinehart will give a presentation on Legislative Advocacy: What Can We Do?, followed by a Community Voice Keynote featuring SC Junior Board Member Dominic Valdez.

Share Your Story

Closing Session: Desiree Walker & Married With Cancer

An incredible weekend comes to a close. SC Program Manager Brigid Frasquillo interviewed Patient/Caregiver Spouses Ben McGuerty & Olivia Tai. Then, Desiree Walker gave her keynote address From Patient to Powerhouse: Lessons in Advocacy, Resilience, and Impact.

Self-Advocacy Starter Kit

Thank you to our Digital Sponsor

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors

CancerCon 2026 Sponsors

Thank you to our generous
2025 sponsors:

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Our CancerCon 2025 Exhibitors:

118 Foundation
Adaptive Biotech
American Brain Tumor Association
American Cancer Society
Amgen
Beads of Courage
BMS
Brem Foundation to Defeat Breast Cancer
Bright Spot Network
Cancer Care
Circle Surogacy
Colon Cancer Coalition
Dear Jack Foundation
Eisai
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Kits to Heart

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Medstart Health Physical Therapy
Merck
Pfizer
Rare Patient Voices
Sanofi
Servier
Smith Center For Healing
Syndax
The AYA Cancer Survivorship Research Study
The Gathering Place
Triage Cancer
Ulman Foundation
Worth the Wait