Our Mission
Stupid Cancer is the leader in building
the adolescent and young adult (AYA)
cancer community, ending isolation, and
making cancer suck less.
Our Vision
Everyone affected by AYA cancer can Get Busy Living.
Our Core Values
We believe that all people should receive equal access to quality, holistic cancer care no matter their diagnosis, location, means, age, race, ethnicity, ability, sexuality, or gender.
We believe that creating space for young people with cancer to connect and build community is the most powerful antidote to the isolation that often defines the AYA cancer experience.
We believe that adolescents and young adults with cancer deserve targeted resources that address the specific challenges they face — and bold advocacy where traditional systems fall short.
We believe in the value of connecting with our community in an honest, unapologetic voice.
We believe in putting young people first by partnering with others to address the gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and research for the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community.
We believe cancer for an AYA isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a life issue.
We believe in the AYA Bill of Rights.
We believe in flipping cancer the bird.
Our History
In the nineties, when Stupid Cancer founder Matthew Zachary was diagnosed with a pediatric brain cancer at 21 years old, cancer resources for young adults were few and far between, and ‘surviving’ meant living beyond five years. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer programs did not exist and often patients were treated as kids or older adults, failing to acknowledge the unique life stage of AYAs. In 2004, Matthew founded Steps for Living (which became I’m Too Young for This! Cancer Foundation in 2007 and then Stupid Cancer in 2012), a progressive social enterprise that linked his worlds of music, cancer advocacy, consumer health marketing, and technology to ensure that people like him, his wife, brother, and parents would have the opportunity to benefit from community and support resources they only wished they had in 1995.
In the years since its founding, through its innovative, award-winning, and evidence-based programs and services, Stupid Cancer has become the leader in the adolescent and young adult cancer space. The landscape for AYA cancer has changed dramatically over the last decade, in large part due to the work of Stupid Cancer. Although there are more resources for AYAs than ever before, the isolation of AYA cancer patients persists.
Looking ahead, Stupid Cancer envisions a world where everyone in the AYA community is supported, understood, and accepted.
Stupid Cancer is here to be the rallying point and leader in building the AYA cancer community, ending isolation, and making cancer suck less.
One of our major projects in the last couple of years was the Stupid Cancer Show, which featured stories from survivors, patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals from the AYA community. You can catch all of the past episodes below.
The Stupid Cancer Show
AYA Cancer Stats
Young adults can and do get cancer. Most people don’t even consider that an 18-year-old could be diagnosed. Or a 25-year-old. Or a 37-year-old. Help us change this stigma and spread the word that our generation deserves better. The world needs to be aware that we exist…and that we matter.​
✓ Each year, 89,500 adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer.
✓ Cancer incidence in young adults has increased more than any other age group.
✓ Survival rates have not improved at the same rate as other age groups.
✓ Cancer is the number one disease killer in young adults.
✓ Young adults are the most underserved patient population by age.
✓ Delayed cancer diagnosis is disproportionately higher in young adults.
source: NCI SEER Data, 2015
Make a Donation
With your help, Stupid Cancer can continue to make the lives of AYA cancer patients and survivors suck less so that they can Get Busy Living.
Because the truth is, we can’t do any of this without you.
NOTE TO DEVELOPER THIS IS NEEDED FOR THE CORRECT CURRENCY SIGN CAN SHOW. THERE IS A GLITCH WHERE WE NEED TO USE OPEN SANS FOR IT TO SHOW CORRECT TYPOGRAPHY.
Read a statement from Alison Silberman, Stupid Cancer CEO here.