The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer

The SAMFund Blog has moved!

2012-12-19T10:10:00.002-05:00

Our new website at thesamfund.org includes a new blog that enables users to see all our news, announcements, resources, and archived Webinars from one place!

Please visit http://www.thesamfund.org/blog/ to see our latest post and visit our archives.

We'll be shutting down this blog site in February 2013.
Thanks for reading!
--Sam, Michelle and Lee

Cancer and the Workplace Webinars: Returning to Work

2012-12-10T13:52:00.000-05:00

The SAMFund is proud to provide Webinars free of charge to the cancer community through our Moving Forward with Your Financial Health Webinar series. By addressing some of the most common financial challenges faced by young adult cancer survivors after treatment, we strive to provide the best information, tools, and guidance to overcome these challenges. Presented in partnership with financial professionals and other organizations, The SAMFund is grateful to our partner, Expect Miracles Foundation for providing financial support for this important resource. All our Webinars are are archived online, accessible 24 x 7.

Join us this Thursday Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 3:00 – 4:00pm EST for Part II of our Cancer and the Workplace Webinars: Returning to Work.

We're excited to welcome back Cancer and Careers and Navigating Cancer Survivorship from our Part 1 segment, Working During Treatment. In this segment, Rebecca Nellis and Monica Bryant will teach participants how to navigate returning to work by addressing issues such as resume gaps, interviews and maintaining an online brand. Additionally, they will discuss state and federal laws that may provide protections for cancer survivors and caregivers during the return to work process, including access to reasonable accommodation and intermittent medical leave.

Our recording of Cancer and the Workplace Part 1 - Working during Treatment is now available! Presented by Cancer and Careers' Eva LaManna and Navigating Cancer Survivorship's Monica Bryant, Part 1 discussed rights and options for cancer survivors and caregivers in the workplace, including state and federal laws that may provide protections against discrimination, and access to reasonable accommodations and medical leave. In addition to learning about possible legal protections available to them, attendees were presented with practical strategies for working though treatment from how to share the news to combating concentration issues.
Click here to take our short pre-survey to access the archived webinar.

The SAMFund Holiday Campaign is Underway!

2012-12-06T14:08:00.001-05:00

Help us make 2013 an even brighter year
for young adult cancer survivors!
Donate to our Holiday Campaign!

More than 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year. Saddled with thousands of dollars in medical bills while facing an empty bank account and few, if any, organizations to turn to for help, more young adults than ever are coming to The SAMFund for support. With your help, we’ve been a “first responder” since 2005, awarding $900,000 to YAs across 48 states. Your commitment to the YA community made this possible. Your dedication to spreading the word about the need will transform the possibility of brighter futures for YAs into reality.

Thank you for believing in our collective ability to make life easier for young adults who have been through the devastation of cancer and are determined to keep moving forward. Thank you for helping them pursue their goals and for reminding them that they are not alone.

We're so proud of our SAMFund Family alumni, who have joined together to pay it forward for other young adult survivors. Forming nationwide groups as part of our Alumni Leadership Council (ALC), SAMFundraisers have created three teams to help our holiday campaign be the most successful ever!

Alumni leader Amelia describes why: "I have a clear memory of feeling like I was drowning post treatment... I wish I could find a word to describe that feeling of hope, the immense weight that suddenly lifts off your shoulders when you get that magical call from The SAMFund offering to help you in a tangible way, where and when you need it most. That ability to breathe a little easier knowing there are people who believe in you and your ability to move forward with your post treatment life, in the most successful way possible, is a gift I wish I could give to every survivor struggling to follow in my footsteps. "

Join our holiday campaign by contributing to an ALC team
or becoming a SAMFundraiser!

Click here to get started!

We are grateful for whatever contribution you are able to make this holiday season. On behalf of our entire young adult community, we thank you for being part of The SAMFund and for making the new year a bright one for young adult survivors across the country.

The holidays are just around the corner...

2012-11-01T11:53:00.001-04:00

HOORAY! The 2012 SAMFund holiday cards are here!

Spread some holiday cheer and support young adult cancer survivors while doing it. Buy your SAMFund holiday cards today!

The message on the inside of each card reads:"Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy holiday season." On the back is info about The SAMFund as well as Lisa Daria, young adult survivor, SAMFund volunteer and the talented artist who designed the cards.

Cards will be packaged in sets of 21 (seven of each image, above) for $25 each, which includes Priority Shipping.

To place your order:

Email holidaycards@thesamfund.org and let us know how many packages you'd like to order. Please include your mailing address, telephone number and email. We will send you an invoice via email or regular mail for $25 per package of holiday cards.

Thanks in advance for your support!

--Sam, Michelle, Lee and everyone at The SAMFund

Special thanks to Bridgette at Powder Horn Press for donating the printing of these cards, and to Lisa Daria for donating her paintings so that 100% of the proceeds go directly to SAMFund programs!

Honored! The SAMFund Receives an ASTRO Survivor Circle Grant

2012-10-29T14:03:00.003-04:00

We're extremely honored to be featured as a Survivor Circle grant recipient at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in Boston this week! The organization's nearly 10,000 members make it the largest radiation oncology organization of its kind.

Check out the spectacular exhibit designed by the ASTRO event team. Mere words cannot describe the pride we feel in seeing our Young Adult (YA) Survivor community highlighted in this way. Seeing our Surviving and Moving Forward logo this large is a sight to behold -- representing all our alumni across 48 states!

The Survivor Circle is ASTRO's way of giving back to the cancer community during their Annual Meeting. Created in 2003, the Survivor Circle honors cancer survivors. It also enables ASTRO to partner with two local patient support organizations, featuring them in the Exhibit Hall at the Annual Meeting.

The intent is to not only give back to the cities ASTRO visits, but also to help raise awareness of important organizations among members. By awarding The SAMFund a Survivor Circle grant, they are giving back to YAs struggling to recover from the devastating financial impact of cancer treatment. They're helping us help them -- to not only survive, but truly move forward.

Thank you ASTRO!

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Wanted: Wisdom from the Crowds

2012-10-17T14:46:00.000-04:00

Questions for our community: give us your wisdom for an upcoming conference presentation. We want to share as much information as we can with our young adult cancer survivor audience.

What is the biggest practical challenge that you see in the young adults you work with?

What advice would you give to someone entering the new world of survivorship?

Comment here or email leonor@thesamfund.org. Thanks in advance!

The SAMFund Changed My Life

2012-10-11T15:33:00.000-04:00

This blog was published in 2009 by one of our beloved grant recipients, Kate, who celebrated her 5th consecutive year being cancer-free on September 1st 2012. A critical member of the planning committee for The SAMFund 3rd annual fundraiser in Chicago in June, Kate and her team raised over $17,000 for young adult cancer survivors in one amazing, spectacular, extraordinary night. Just the words we'd use to describe Kate herself.

October 29, 2009

The past two days of my life have been absolutely fantastic. I had to start a blog just to describe to the world how wonderful I feel. Last night I helped plan a fundraising event for The SAMFund. This foundation means so much to me, and let me tell you why.

As most of you know, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, stage 2A with bulky mediastonal disease. Luckily, I have been cancer free for 2 years and counting. Treatment took almost a year, about 10 months of ABDV chemotherapy, plus one continuous month of radiation. I did really well, and avoided getting too sick during treatment, minus one complication. I discovered that in April of 2007 I couldn't breathe, well barely could. After going to the ER, the doctors realized I was allergic to Bleomycin, one of the drugs in my chemo regimen. I was treated over the next month for lung disease (the side effect of the Bleomycin, which is very rare), and got to carry around my personal oxygen supply :) Other than that though, I stayed very healthy. As you can imagine, the bills piled up. I was lucky to have health insurance through BCBS, but that didn't mean I got off scott-free. I owed money to my chemo center, my surgeons, my breathing specialist, my radiologist, etc. Besides medical bills, I had the rest of the bills we all get to experience: phone, rent, utilities, tuition, groceries, etc. It became very overwhelming, very fast. It got to the point where I feared going in for my post treatment because I was a few thousand behind on my next minimum payment due. Scary, right? I felt like I was drowning. The day I became cancer free was bittersweet. For one, I couldn't believe I overcame the disease, but I was the happiest that I had ever felt in my life. I had a huge financial burden on my shoulders though, that was really weighing me down. I was terrified.

I will never forget the night I was at my friend Liz's apartment, having dinner with her and her fiance, Mitch. I remember freaking out to them about rent, bills, etc. I was asking for advice, what do I do? Mitch actually knew about a foundation that was out there to help people like me. They told me about it, and I thought it sounded wonderful, but to be honest, I was also thinking why in the world would anyone be able to help me? First of all, I'm healthy again, so I don't deserve it, and secondly, I didn't think I would be chosen to get a grant. I went home and looked it up, and immediately realized what this foundation represented. They were there to help people trying to survive, post cancer treatment. They help out with real world financial problems, that are impossible to pay when you've just sold your soul to the medical world to be healed.

I applied, and patiently waited. Sam (The founder of SAMFund) called me one afternoon while I was on the train leaving Union Station after class. She told me that I was receiving a grant from the SAMFund. I literally was speechless, but at the same time I wanted to scream because I was so honored, and so happy. I couldn't though, because the 50 people sitting around me on the train would think I was crazy. That day was the second best day of my life. The SAMFund helped out in so many ways, I cannot even put into words how much they've changed my life, and therefore, opened up opportunities for me.

So back to these past 2 days....

The SAMFund is located in Boston, and they decided they wanted to try for a fundraiser in Chicago, to spread awareness, and of course, raise money! I was on the Chicago Committee, and we planned a huge event at Joe's on Weed St. The turn out was amazing. There were so many people there, it touched me heart to see everyone. Everyone was so supportive, and so generous. Also, I got to meet Sam that night. Before I met her, I felt like I knew her. I had talked to Sam so much, but I couldn't wait to put a face with the name. The moment I met her, I almost started crying, because I couldn't believe I was actually meeting the woman who did SO MUCH for me, not to mention, she is a survivor of two non-related cancers. She is an amazing woman, and I was overcome with emotion on meeting her. The event was amazing, and so far, we've raised $10k from last night. THAT IS AWESOME.

I am a passionate person. I am passionate about everything I do, but I haven't found my niche in life. After participating in this event, I found it. I felt a kind of happiness that I've never felt before. It may sound cheesy, but it's the only was to describe it. Knowing that this event is going to directly help out young survivors like myself brought upon this feeling of greatness. It still hasn't gone away, and I hope to volunteer for the SAMFund for the rest of my life. I met the most wonderful people last night, and hope to stay in touch with them.

As scary as some of the stuff I've been through sounds, I wouldn't change a thing if I could. Going through what I went through made me into who I was supposed to be. I learned life's worth of lessons in those 10 months, and am continuing to learn. I see the bigger picture, and am forever grateful for what I have. The SAMFund is a wonderful foundation, and I don't know where I'd be without them.

Tonight I got to hang out with most of the committee for dinner, and it was so much fun. The night went by too fast, and I was so sad it was over. It was hard saying bye to Sam, but I plan on going out to Boston for the SAMFund events! I want to thank you all for your support through everything, and if you made it out last night, thanks again. It touched my heart. If any of you know anyone who has been touched by cancer, please check out Imerman Angels, one on one cancer support connecting cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers. If you know a survivor between the ages of 17 and 35, please tell them about The SAMFund! I never thought I'd be chosen for a grant, but my prayers were answered. It's within reach. Have a wonderful night.

Kate

The Giving Common Challenge Starts....Now!

2012-10-10T08:33:00.002-04:00

Fans! Start your engines! The The Giving Common challenge starts now for 36 hours ONLY. The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer is proud to have a long history and a long-lasting impact on young adult survivors. Donate today to put more gas in our car: http://bit.ly/RP0WU6

The way this race plays out is through friends asking friends to learn about - and hopefully - donate to The SAMFund in the next 36 hours. Here's why:

Through direct financial assistance, in-person and online support, The SAMFund helps young adults move forward towards their personal, professional and educational goals.

We invest 93% of every dollar directly into programs and services for YAs.

SAMFund grants, totaling $735,000 since 2005, provide direct assistance with a wide range of needs, including living and medical expenses, family-building and more.

The SAMFund is the only organization focused exclusively on cancer’s financial repercussions and its programs are neither geographic- nor diagnosis-specific.

The SAMFund’s programs are designed to give YAs the tools to improve their financial situations, reintegrate into society and live independent, fulfilling lives.

Meet Our Board: Sharon Karsten

2012-10-03T17:09:00.001-04:00

As part of our "Meet the Board" series, we are thrilled to welcome Sharon Karsten as this week's guest blogger! She has been part of The SAMFund since day one and we would not be where we are without her. She's enthusiastic and committed to our mission and our work -- and she keeps us all laughing at Board meetings... we're grateful and lucky to have her "on Board!"

How long have you served on the Board of The SAMFund?

I've been with The SAMFund Board, first as Special Advisor and then as Trustee since the Fund's inception, nearly 10 years.

There are more than 1.2 million charities in the country. What attracted you to The SAMFund?

Being part of The SAMFund was a slam-dunk for me! I first met Sam through a mutual friend (also a Board member) when she was going through the worst of her chemo. I was so taken with her positive attitude toward the journey she was on, her good humor in the face of such extreme difficulty, and her BIG smile. When it came time for Sam to decide what she wanted to do going forward after treatment she discussed the idea of the fund with several of us. I was on board immediately - who could refuse?

What does your background bring to your role?

I was in commercial banking for many years in Special Situation Lending, which taught me to look at the impossible and try to make it happen. After I left banking I co-founded a Market Making operation on the Chicago Stock Exchange along with two partners. Corralling and managing a team of traders was a challenge - but fun - an experience that taught me how to keep my head when all others around me were losing theirs!

What are the biggest challenges you see facing young adult survivors today?

There are SO many challenges facing our young adult survivors, not the least of which is the economics of getting themselves back into the harness and dealing with the financial burdens facing them. Not to mention finding a job in a difficult employment market! So much comes back to money and attempting to use their limited resources to pay trailing medical bills, afford tuition to continue education, and on it goes.

How is The SAMFund growing to address these challenges and what makes you excited to be a part of it?

The Board and the Alumni Leadership Council are working to raise The SAMFund profile, increase our donor base through targeted social networking, and identify our community's greatest needs. We are diligently working to address those needs through a range of support, including webinars that provide educational topics such as how to develop a financial plan, negotiate medical bills, strengthen interviewing skills, and focus on health maintenance. The process of expanding The SAMFund community is exciting!

What impact do you think The SAMFund has in the cancer community today?

We have seen our grant applications increase exponentially from 36 in 2005 to 685 in 2012, a clear indication of the growing awareness of our mission. As more and more grant recipients move back into a full productive life, they are becoming very vocal advocates for us. We are so grateful. The Alumni Leadership Council, established in 2010, has steadily increased our capacity for geographically local fundraising events that increase our brand awareness. The SAMFund Board has added new Trustees who bring a broad range of experience to help us continue having a consistent, far-reaching impact within the young adult cancer community.

Join Us for our "Make A Difference Celebration Breakfast"

2012-09-14T15:36:00.000-04:00

The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer is proud to be hosting a "Make a Difference" celebration breakfast on October 2nd with special guest Chris Evert! Chris will be signing racquets and balls for lucky raffle winners and there will be plenty of time to meet her and snap a picture. After a short program, she'll be presenting The SAMFund with a $5,000 donation from Hood Simply Smart Milk.

When: October 2nd, 2012, 8:30 - 10:00 AM

Where: Black Rock Country Club, 19 Clubhouse Drive, Hingham, MA 02043 (Directions)

Why: Samantha Watson, a two-time cancer survivor and the founder of The SAMFund, recently won the online, nationwide "Make a Difference, Taste a Difference" competition and is being honored for making a difference right here in our community.

Cost: Tickets are $40 ($20 per ticket is tax-deductible). You may also sponsor a ticket for a young adult survivor to attend.

Sponsorships: Sponsorships are available at $500 and $1,000. Please email Sam for more information.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to The SAMFund's programs for young adults trying to move forward with their lives after cancer treatment.

Guest Post: 8 Lessons on Bringing Survivorship to the Workplace

2012-09-10T10:23:00.002-04:00

We are indebted to Valerie S., a 2008 SAMFund alum and Alumni Leadership Council member, for providing her perspective on what her cancer experience brings to her professional career. In our humble opinion, Valerie is an exceptional person with qualities any employer would be lucky to add to his/her team. Congratulations on your new job, Valerie!

After recently giving notice at the company where I have worked for almost 10 years, I was disturbed to hear about a comment made in passing by another manager. Apparently, this colleague was surprised that I hadn’t had a more difficult time finding a new job because of my “medical issues.” This commentary, tinged with concern at best, and condescending and insulting at worst, gave me food for thought. How do we, as survivors, overcome the potential and sometimes very real challenges, setbacks, and negative connotations of our illnesses in our professional lives, and in particular, during the job search process?

Many survivors choose to not talk about their past illness or ongoing health issues due to the hiring fears this may bring up… What if they discriminate against me because I had cancer? What if they don't choose me because they think I can’t hack it? Unfortunately, I did not have the luxury of avoiding my past illness for two reasons. First, due to my outspoken involvement in the survivor and bone marrow transplant community, a Google search of my name easily turns up hits related to my illness. Second, my motivation for getting into healthcare was largely because of my experience as a patient. So I had to be very strategic about how I presented and “used” my illness to, in effect, sell myself.

It was very easy to become overwhelmed and assume I would be passed over for someone else without a cancer-type history. But surprisingly, what I found is that many of the key things that appealed to my new employer stemmed directly from my experience as a patient. By no means do I claim to be an expert in career coaching nor do I believe these lessons or qualities to be at all unique to survivors. I can only speak from experience; in my case, these eight lessons helped formulate my value proposition as an employee, allowing me to turn my illness from a liability into a very powerful and useful tool in the job search arsenal.

Decision-making. Dealing with illness helped me hone in on what's important and not become paralyzed by decisions. To manage my health and make weighty decisions about my care, I learned to evaluate clinical information, talk to friends and family, and follow my gut instinct. Utilizing multiple resources to prioritize is transferable to any career.

Empathy. In the healthcare industry, I have empathy for our customers, the patients. I understand what keeps them up at night and the frustrations they encounter. Empathy via shared experience is incredibly powerful; it is something that can’t be taught. This empathy helps drive and motivate me in my career and was a vital selling point during interviews.

Teamwork. Over the years of learning to manage my health, teamwork was key; my healthcare team consisted of my doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and more. Just like in most teams, conflict occasionally arose. For example, my doctor and I would sometimes disagree on an aspect of my treatment plan. We would therefore have to come up with compromises to move forward. The ability to manage conflict while working toward a common goal is something that hiring managers are always looking for in candidates.

Confidence. In a related lesson of working with doctors, during the course of my patient experience, I became comfortable communicating with persons of authority. This was necessary for me to advocate for myself and my health. Even as a teenager, I was talking to the doctors and consulting on all medical decisions, which sometimes entailed questioning the doctor’s directive. Being able to address and speak up around experts is vital to progression in almost any career and survivors typically have this experience in spades.

Being Proactive. Managing one’s health during and after catastrophic illness is no easy feat. Being proactive vs. reactive can literally mean the difference between life and death. The healthcare system as it stands requires proactive navigation to ensure the best possible care. When applied to one's profession, being proactive can be a huge asset.

Perseverance and Patience. Living with chronic illness and navigating the waters of side effects after remission takes an enormous amount of perseverance and patience. So many times I thought I was moving forward and doing better only to slide back. But each time, I picked myself up and dusted myself off, knowing that I had to keep trying. These qualities are invaluable in the professional setting - having perseverance and patience means that the inevitable challenges and setbacks companies and employees face will be dealt with, managed, and then eventually overcome.

Communication. Prior to and after my bone marrow transplant, I constantly bridged communication gaps between multiple specialists. I would also follow up to make sure everyone received all the relevant results. In dealing with side effects and medication interactions, managing communication within my healthcare team was critical. Finally, I had to communicate clearly my concerns, issues, and symptoms. I learned how to explain my status and any underlying assumptions carefully to my healthcare team so that they could best help me.

Motivation. Last but not least, as a survivor I have learned to not take things in life for granted. This powerful perspective spills over into all areas of life. I was able to leverage this with my new employer by explaining my internal drive and motivation to come to work and do the best job possible. I expressed that because I have traveled a difficult road, I can appreciate and be grateful for opportunities in life.

In conclusion, it is my strongly held belief that whatever I may lack in perfect health is more than made up for in the array of qualities I now bring to the table. Without even realizing it, the key tenets of what made me someone worth hiring were built up over the years of fighting for my health and then continuing to manage my health. These lessons, powerful and deeply embedded in my professional and personal psyche, came across to the hiring manager as real, valuable, and transferable... and led to those two magical words, “You’re hired.”

Ready for Download! "Grooving Forward: Vol. 1"

2012-08-31T09:57:00.000-04:00

Andrea Coller

In 2008, The SAMFund established the Andrea Coller Memorial Award in memory of a beloved SAMFund friend and singer/songwriter from western Massachusetts. We were honored to have Andrea's magical talent as a part of a SAMFund fundraiser in 2007. We joined the musician community in mourning when she passed away in 2008, after years of battling cancer. Her award-winning essay in Glamour Magazine's 2008 Non-fiction Contest remains an amazing read.

Move forward to 2012. We are beyond thrilled to introduce the result of a very special musical collaboration spearheaded by our community-building friends at Tribal Mischief Productions..

"Grooving Forward: Vol. 1" is the result of track donations that embody the spirit of Andrea, the inspiration of the artists who bring these songs to life, and the mission of The SAMFund.

As Tribal Mischief Productions founders Ethan Scott Baird and Jake Bush describe it, "Grooving Forward brings together many things about which we care deeply ... our memories of Andrea, our longtime friendship with Samantha and remembering her battles with cancer, and our passion for music. We believe that this a way to carry on Andrea's memory and legacy, provide ongoing support for the Memorial Award and The SAMFund, provide exposure to new fans for our artist friends and artists we truly enjoy, and expose music fans to great new artists. It's really a win on so many fronts, and we hope for this to be the first volume of many."

"Grooving Forward: Vol. 1" includes five artists who contributed unreleased tracks or tracks from upcoming albums, including Marc Cohn (“Silver Thunderbird”, live), Christian McNeill (“Manhattan Rose”), Ryan Fitzsimmons (“Vacation”), Caitlin Canty (“Still Here”) and Jared Salvatore (“Learned My Lesson”). Other artists include: Tim Gearan, Adam Ezra Group, Kingsley Flood, Jimmy Ryan, Eric Royer, Baker Thomas Band, Pesky J. Nixon, Danielle Miraglia, Greg Klyma and Brothers McCann. Thank you to this incredible group of dedicated artists for your time, talent and donations!

Resources for THE Most Expensive Disease

2012-08-16T12:01:00.000-04:00

$895.2 billion. That's the global cost of cancer.

Imagine being a young adult and attempting to pay for your share of that cost. Imagine how many more YAs will be facing this challenge, given that the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reports that AYA cancers will increase from approximately 104 million in 2000 to 115 million in 2030.

These are sobering statistics for The SAMFund and the YA support community. We often wish our services were not SO desperately needed. With your help, we are working harder than ever to make sure today's and tomorrow's young adults have the chance to survive and move forward.

Certainly, we have hope given progress in healthcare reform. But we're also realists; insurance access does not necessarily equal medical cost decreases. As we move through our 2012 grants cycle, we are reminded that we are instrinsically and forever linked to the voices of the YA community.

We know YAs need support now more than ever. That's why we're conducting a Financial Mentoring Needs Assessment Survey for a new program we're developing.

It's also why this post offers budgeting ideas and tips from "Regaining Control of Your Finances Post-Cancer," part of our Moving Forward With Your Financial Health webinar archive. We thank George Padula CFA®, CFP® for providing them.

Put a budget in writing
Track the “little” expenses
Build savings into your budget
Pay yourself first
Develop an emergency fund
Use an online personal finance and budgeting tool
Know your FICO score: Get a free credit report from each credit bureau

As always, thank you to The SAMFund community -- our donors, partners, alumni, and volunteers -- that helps us do what we do! Your support enables us to make a difference!

Meet Our Board: Melissa Jacoby

2012-08-09T11:39:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Jacoby, our newest Board member, as this week's guest blogger. Melissa is the Chief Operating Officer at First Financial Trust and was featured in our spring e-newsletter. We are grateful to have her "on Board" and are excited to introduce her to you, our faithful blog readers!

How long have you served on the Board of The SAMFund?

I am the newest member of The SAMFund Board, gratefully accepting my position in 2012.

There are more than 1.2 million charities in the country. What attracted you to The SAMFund?

Samantha, of course. The idea that someone who has been through such a significant obstacle has identified a need and dedicated themselves to making things better for future survivors is a wonderful quality in a person and part of Sam’s appeal. She is the strength and hope behind the organization. I was attracted to the idea of becoming part of it because of the promise this organization can offer young adult survivors and the hope it can foster. I am excited to help the SAMFund increase its scope and maintain its strength by offering my personal assistance and professional skills in a meaningful way.

What does your background bring to your role?

I am an attorney who has spent the last 12 years working in estate planning with a specialty in trust administration and philanthropic planning. I enjoy connecting people and organizations in a meaningful way to help both entities achieve their goals.

What are the biggest challenges you see facing young adult survivors today?

This is a challenging economy for young adults looking to find a job and live an independent life. For those who have medical bills, gaps in their resumes, personal struggles and health to worry about, the challenge becomes greater. As a country, we have so many programs aimed at helping people who have other types of struggles, but no one really helps young adult survivors get back on track.

How is The SAMFund growing to address these challenges and what makes you excited to be a part of it?The SAMFund continues to evolve and generate ways to address the current needs and desires of young adult survivors. Our programs help foster connections and provide resources that may not otherwise be apparent.

What impact do you think The SAMFund has in the cancer community today?

The SAMFund has had such a wonderful and meaningful impact on young cancer survivors by letting them know that they have not fallen off the radar screen because they are on the road to living cancer free. We strive to help them gain traction and become prosperous, successful and self-fulfilled people by demonstrating that with just a little help, they can easily achieve their dreams and go on to do great things. The more people we help, the more people will advocate for the SAMFund to let people know we are here and we can help! The fun has only just begun!

Event Spotlight: Scenes from Our First Annual West Coast Fundraiser

2012-08-02T13:59:00.001-04:00

As they say, a picture conveys a thousand words. So, to set the stage for a recap of our first annual West Coast fundraiser, feast your eyes on the view of the Viceroy Santa Monica at night. If you can visualize light music, a soft breeze, and the buzz of a mix of SAMFund alumni, partners and volunteers arriving -- the stage is now set!

Can't see it yet? Then take a look at some of the pictures that show the heart and soul of who we are, who we help, and who helps us. This party by the Pacific brought together a phenomenal community of The SAMFund alumni, volunteers, partners, and new supporters that made memories for a lifetime.

SAMFund alum Blake V with his wife Megan and daughter Ellie, Downey-Short Foundation's Heidi Lehman and our own Samantha Watson.

With planning help from EventSorbet, The SAMFund's ever-growing family arrives at the Viceroy Santa Monica for hors d'oeuvres and music by Cosmo Kids.

SAMFund alums Amelia, Jacquae and Valerie.

When co-chairs and SAMFund Alumni Leaders Valerie and Amelia were planning the event, they described it as a "chance to pay it forward so that others can also claim their survivorship in a way that is both uplifting and transformational." Pay it forward they did, and then some. The event raised close to $9,000 for young adult survivors through ticket sales, an amazing silent auction, and a signature drink made just for us by the creative talents at the Viceroy Santa Monica.

A very special thanks to our host committee and volunteers for a powerful event: Ana Beesen, Jennifer Dasteel, Jenniffer Rojas, Alli Abbott, Amelia Fay-Berquist, Valerie Sun, Suzie Laskin, Christine Pechera, and to our event sponsors: Viceroy Santa Monica and EventSorbet.

Meet Our Partner: The Downey-Short Foundation

2012-07-26T15:29:00.002-04:00

Our partners are a vital part of The SAMFund community. They help us make a difference for more young adult survivors with their generosity. It is our pleasure to introduce Heidi Lehman, Executive Director of The Downey-Short Foundation, who is instrumental in believing in and communicating our impact. We interviewed Heidi about her perspective on The SAMFund.

As a grant maker, you see requests from many cancer charities. Which of The Downey-Short Foundation's giving priorities most attracted you to The SAMFund?

When I first stumbled upon The SAMFund, I was searching for organizations that assist young adult survivors in their journey back to health and normalcy. In my prior research, I found that there is a lot of financial assistance out there for certain types of cancers, for example breast cancer and pediatrics, but I noticed there was a general lack of assistance for young adults. The statistics frightened me, especially since I am in that age group, so I made it a point to target organizations trying to make an impact on those statistics. As soon as I clicked on The SAMFund’s website, I knew I’d found a good one.

How did the foundation make sure that The SAMFund was a good fit for a partnership?

When I begin to look into funding a new charity, my first step is to go to the web. I use tools like Charity Navigator and Guide Star to check the charity’s validity, as well as their reputation. Once they’ve checked out online, I call and try to get a feel for the organization over the phone. When I first talked with Sam, I felt like I had known her forever. I was instantly drawn to her warmth and light. There was no doubt in my mind that our donation was going to the right organization and that together we could make a serious impact in the lives of young adult survivors.

What impact do you believe The SAMFund has made in applying its grant to helping young adult cancer survivors?

The SAMFund has made an enormous impact on the lives of young-adults with cancer, but if I were to narrow that impact down to one thing, I’d say it’s the gift of hope. The SAMFund gives these young survivors hope. With each grant they are saying, “I believe in you.” Hope is priceless. Hope heals. Hope moves mountains.

Can you share a memorable moment when you saw that impact first-hand?

I saw this impact first hand when I was lucky enough to attend the event at the Viceroy in LA this past June. It was heartwarming to watch the recipients light up when they talked about their plans to give back. Not only is The SAMFund giving hope to people today, but they are also inspiring those people to give back and return that hope to someone else who needs it. A chain of goodness that goes on way beyond The SAMFund. It’s an amazing thing to witness, and I am extremely excited to be a part of it.

The Volunteer Perspective: Why I Help by Jon B.

2012-07-17T13:18:00.000-04:00

Jon is one of our long-time volunteers, and one of our all-around favorite people. We were thrilled that he was willing to share his thoughts about The SAMFund and why such a busy, hard-working guy is so giving of his time and resources.

When Sam first asked me to write an essay about my involvement in The SAMFund, she asked for “a new perspective.” Semi-humorously, I responded with this proposal: If you thought SAMFund was just about helping other people, you're wrong! The selfish virtues of giving!

We both laughed, but it didn’t take long before we both realized perhaps I was on to something. In a certain way, that is my perspective.

Now, let me be clear, I’m not a jerk. I care deeply about the people The SAMFund helps. Year after year, as I read applicants’ essays, I’m reminded how important the work is that The SAMFund does. And each year I well up with just a certain amount of pride, knowing that my contributions matter. That pride, of course, is where the selfishness comes in.

I think I’m a decent person. I smile at strangers and give up my seat to the elderly on trains and buses. But I also indulge. I enjoy outstanding meals around Manhattan with my fiancée from time to time. I’ve been known to buy myself toys, especially ones with Apple logos. My speakers are almost as tall as I am and it’s possible that I treat myself to more than my share of concerts over the course of a year.

Now, we’re all entitled to our share of fun, but a life of pure indulgence just isn’t healthy. Balance your steak with salad, your Diddy with Dylan, your TMZ with Twain. And sometimes, you have to balance the things you do for yourself with what you do for others.

The SAMFund has been my outlet to help. The time, effort and money I have donate directly helps young adult cancer survivors in need. I’ve seen it first-hand. I’ve read the applications from survivors who desperately needed that rent check or gym membership to help them rebuild their lives. I’ve seen the smiles from new recipients, who suddenly believe they can afford their new lease on life. And I’ve spoken with those who have moved forward and are now on such solid footing that they can reach out and lend someone else a hand.

Personally, in times of doubt, my involvement in The SAMFund reaffirms me. It reminds me how fortunate I am and it provides me with an opportunity to raise others who would stand on their own, but for the need of a single outreached arm.

Event Spotlight: Golfers Stand up to the Rain for Young Adult Survivors

2012-07-12T10:26:00.001-04:00

A rainy June 13th morning didn't deter 60 golfers from participating in South Shore Young Professionals' 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the South Shore Country Club in Hingham. In fact, we couldn't find a golfer without a smile anywhere as participants waiting patiently for Mother Nature to finish her storm. Wet golfers? Yes. Unhappy golfers? None.

Team Raffael's

With ponchos in hand and mulligan tickets safely tucked away, teams headed for the course and the tournament was underway. By midday, the raindrops were gone and golfers enjoyed lunch on the green provided by the Boston Beer Company.

Team Jack Conway & Co.

After Team Jack Conway & Co. celebrated their championship win, participants moved onto the reception with a slider and french fry bar sponsored by Raffael's. A rousing live auction led by emcee Peter Leone, Golf Committee Chairman Frank Ricci, and auctioneer Jim Wells, featured sports memorabilia galore.

We are so honored to be SSYP's beneficiary for its third annual charity golf tournament. A special thanks goes to SSYP Director Shea Baker for her incredible coordinating skills before and during the event -- it simply would not have gone as smooth without her multitasking talent!

Samantha, alum Michele Rhee, Michelle
and volunteer Lisa Daria with SSYP's Frank Ricci
at the post-event reception

This fabulous event raised $10,250 for young adult cancer survivors, enabling them to get back on solid financial footing after their treatment. Thank you to the entire South Shore Young Professionals community and the event's generous sponsors for enabling young adults to survive and move forward!

Event Spotlight: Fit2Survive!

2012-07-05T16:50:00.001-04:00

In honor of National Cancer Survivors Day 2012, The SAMFund’s NorCal Survivors’ Network partnered with 24 Hour Fitness on June 3rd to celebrate life and survivorship with young adult survivors. Attendees enjoyed full access to the gym, demonstrations of exercise techniques, and most important, the chance to connect with other young adult survivors during a day dedicated to health and well-being!

Attendees at Fit2Survive at 24 Hour Fitness

An enormous thank you goes to our volunteer extraordinaire Amelia Stephens, a three-time SAMFund grant recipient and Survivors' Network: NorCal Program Coordinator. Inspired by her grant for a gym membership and training sessions, she was determined to help other cancer survivors become more physically active and came up with the idea of Fit2Survive.

Survivors' Network: NorCal Program Coordinator
Amelia Stephens

“After surviving my cancer diagnosis, one of my biggest challenges has been returning to my former active lifestyle. My body has changed and adapting to my ‘new normal’ is a daily struggle,” said Stephens. “Our healthcare team always promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, especially after cancer treatment, but knowing where to start can be daunting. I wanted to encourage others to take that first step - that first leap, skip, or jump - into creating healthier habits for themselves. Fighting cancer is hard, and moving forward should not have to be so hopeless. My goal in organizing this event was not only to promote a return to active life after cancer, but to also offer hope and a starting line for this race to rediscover all that post-treatment life has to offer.”

mAss Kickers' Eric Galvez

There’s no doubt exercise is good for survivors, but breaking down the guidelines and getting motivated can be difficult. That’s where Eric Galvez from mAss Kickers came in, getting attendees pumped for exercise commitments with a presentation on Exercise Training Guidelines for Cancer Patients.

With lunch provided by Sigma Tau, attendees then got a second wind for afternoon fitness consultations with personal trainers and open access to the gym for individual or team workouts. This event strengthened our partner community and we thank participating organizations, including Young Survival Coalition, Be The Match, First Descents, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Jill’s Legacy, mAss Kickers, BMTinfonet, Cancer & Careers, American Cancer Society, CURE Media Group, and I’m Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation for helping to make this such a successful event!

News Roundup: Huge Day for Healthcare Reform

2012-06-29T20:21:00.000-04:00

In September of 2010, Sam wrote this blog post about health care reform and why it mattered for our community of young adult survivors. The future of the Affordable Care Act was tenuous at best, until yesterday, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of keeping it around.

This is HUGE. A milestone that we are lucky to have witnessed in our lifetime and one that will ensure the well-being of young adult cancer survivors for a long time to come. Some of our partners in the cancer community explain why:

From the LIVESTRONG Blog:
"Today, cancer survivors throughout the U.S. are celebrating. The Supreme Court ruling means they will retain protection from insurance discrimination for pre-existing conditions. Parents of young cancer survivors will continue covering their kids on their insurance until they are 26. Life-saving preventive services, like breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings, will be covered with no co-pays or deductibles. The Affordable Care Act’s life-saving measures, so critical to cancer survivors and their families, will be preserved and we are enormously relieved that justice has prevailed."

From Mesothelioma.com
"The Affordable Care Act not only offers healthcare coverage for cancer patients who could not afford it before, but it also offers coverage for preventive services. Below is a list of some preventive services useful to the cancer community in the U.S. and people living in the U.S. in general:

Colorectoral cancer screening for adults over 50
Breast cancer mammography screenings every one-to-two years for women over 40
Breast cancer chemoprevention counseling for women at higher risk
Cervical Cancer screening for sexually active women"

Source: Healthcare.gov

From The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network:
"Access to care saves lives. Scientific research from the American Cancer Society has shown that people without health coverage are more likely than those with private insurance to be diagnosed with cancer at its more advanced stages and less likely to survive the disease."

From Cancer and Careers:
"So what does this actually mean for people coping with cancer? Starting in 2014, all Americans, even those with a pre-existing condition, will have the opportunity to purchase health insurance in the individual market and that health insurance should be more affordable than current options. There will be limits on what insurance companies can look at to determine premiums, and rebates and subsidies will be available to people between 133% and 400% of the federal poverty level (e.g., families of four making between $30,657 and $92,200 per year). Additionally, all of the insurance reforms that began on September 23, 2010, are still in place. For example, children can stay on their parent’s health insurance until they turn 26, insurance companies can no longer rescind someone’s policy just because they got sick, and, for many, preventative services will be covered and people won’t have to pay co-pays or meet deductibles just to get their cancer screenings!"

We are incredibly grateful for this verdict, allowing us to look forward to the future.

Things We Love About June

2012-06-27T12:38:00.000-04:00

As we reflect on this busy and exciting month, we’re filled with gratitude for an ever-expanding SAMFund family, our amazing alumni, our partners, and most especially for the young adult survivors that are sharing their stories with us through applications to our 2012 grant cycle. It’s inspiring to read stories every day from passionate young adults working hard to regain their financial footing post-cancer treatment.

In 2011, we awarded a total of $135,000 in grants and scholarships to 92 young adult survivors all over the country. We’re catching a glimpse right now of what amazing things our 2012 recipients will accomplish! Remember—our Part 1 application process closes July 9th, so you have just over a week left to apply!

Because of your support, June will forever serve as a record-breaking month for The SAMFund mission since we were able to:

Celebrate survivorship across the country! Fundraising events in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Oakland raised over $35,000 for our programs. We were honored to welcome new donors to the SAMFund family at each event, made possible by the incredible efforts of our alumni and volunteers. We’ll be providing highlights and pictures from each in our next blog entries.
Help young adult survivors with common challenges! Over 60 participants attended Webinars from our Moving Forward With Your Financial Health series, sponsored by the Expect Miracles Foundation. Many more will learn how to reduce medical debt and understand family building options through the Webinar recordings available on our website. A heartfelt thanks to our presenters from gen eff, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Lotus Blossom Consulting, and MSPCC's Act of Love Adoptions for providing young adult survivors with empowering information.
Expand our resources! Attending educational conferences hosted by the Cancer Legal Resource Center and The Lenny Zakim Fund helped us expand our network of resources so we’re able to provide more information to young adult survivors. The more informed we are, the more we’re able to pass on to our community!

Now that we’ve caught you up on June happenings, it’s onto some story- and picture-sharing from our events so you can view the impact of your support!

Cancer is one. expensive. disease.

2012-05-04T10:58:00.009-04:00

Are you (or do you know) a young adult struggling with medical debt?

The SAMFund is proud to present the next Webinar in our Moving Forward With Your Financial Health series! We are excited to partner with Jeff Newbauer for Moving Forward With Your Financial Health: Tips and Strategies for Reducing Medical Debt.

Dealing with medical debt can be overwhelming. Complicated insurance programs and opaque physician/hospital billing practices serve only to exacerbate an already difficult situation for young adults. Sixty-two percent of household bankruptcies are due to overwhelming medical debt and of the most financially devastating diseases, cancer reigns supreme. In this Webinar, we will show you strategies to help manage your health care bills. Specifically, we will show you how to:

Effectively communicate with medical billers
Access provider-based financial assistance
Demonstrate financial hardship; and
Negotiate fair settlements and payment plans with health care providers.

Jeff Newbauer is a health care consultant with more than 28 years of senior management and entrepreneurial experience in the managed health care industry. His experience spans multiple disciplines with commercial insurance companies, third party administrators and Medicaid programs. He is the co-founder of geneff.org, an organization formed with his son, Jeffrey Jr., to promote awareness of the unique needs facing adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. geneff was established prior to Jeffrey losing his 3-year battle with rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of 22.

Join us for this FREE Webinar on Thursday, May 24th at 3pm EST. After signing up, please take a minute to fill out our pre-Webinar survey so that we can better understand your current needs and do our best to make the presentation as helpful to you as possible: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/meddebt1

And please share this info with anyone you know who might be interested in attending this Webinar. If you can't participate, there will be a recording available on our website afterwards!

Events galore!

2012-04-19T10:47:00.009-04:00

We're super excited to announce that we have tons of SAMFund events - fundraisers and Survivors' Network - coming up in the next few months all over the country! Here's a quick overview for those of you in LA, Boston and Chicago (events are in the works for NYC and DC as well, so stay tuned...):

SURVIVORS' NETWORK events*:

TONIGHT (April 19th): SAMFund Survivors' Network: LA is hosting a "Survivor Soiree" at Napa Valley Grille from 7-9pm! Come one, come all to meet other young adult survivors, have some appetizers (courtesy of The SAMFund) and enjoy some cocktails at happy hour prices... details are here: https://www.facebook.com/events/205908456175691

This Saturday, April 22nd: SAMFund Survivors' Network: Chicago is getting together at Cortland's Garage from 6-9pm. Apps are on us, drinks are on you, and great company is a given! Check out the Facebook event for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/215967411838783/

*Please note: SAMFund Survivors' Network events are not in any way, shape or form fundraisers. They are designed with the sole purpose of giving the young adult survivor community - including friends, family members and significant others - a chance to make some new connections, share stories (if you feel like it) and move forward together. We cover the costs for each event so that you don't have to!

FUNDRAISERS:

Tuesday, June 5th: Join us in Chicago as The SAMFund comes back for its third event. We've done "Cornhole for Cancer Survivors" twice and thought it was time to switch things up... hope you can join us for (the tentatively named) "Suds for The SAMFund" at Haymarket, a local brewery. Silent auction, brewery tours and reconnecting with our community of SAMFund alums, Board members, volunteers and supporters - all while raising funds for SAMFund programs. Don't miss it! (Registration link will be up soon and we'll post it here on our blog.)

Wednesday, June 13th: The SAMFund was thrilled to be chosen as this year's beneficiary of the South Shore Young Professionals Charity Golf Tournament in Hingham, MA! (Hint: if you want to come but can't afford the ticket, ask your employer to take out a sponsorship and send you as one of its golfers!)

Saturday, June 16th: We are lucky to have friends who are a) ridiculously talented and b) willing to help us raise funds for our grants program. Join us at Church (near Fenway in Boston, MA) on the 16th for "Surviving, Moving and Groovin' On" featuring Pesky J. Nixon and three other local bands, as well as a great silent auction, lots of free food and a cash bar. This event will be especially meaningful as we will be raising funds to bring back the Andrea Coller Memorial Award which will be awarded this fall. Registration will be up soon!

Wednesday, June 20th: Our first-ever fundraiser in LA! Details are still being worked out, but the event will be held at the beautiful Viceroy Santa Monica and is being coordinated by two of our awesome Alumni Leaders! Please let us know if you'd be interested in joining the planning committee - just email events AT thesamfund.org and we'll link you up with them.

We'll post more details soon, but for now please save (and share) the dates!

In loving memory

2012-03-08T09:07:00.007-05:00

It is with great sadness today that everyone at The SAMFund is mourning the loss of our friend and Board member, Jeremy Hill. He brought so much to our organization through his generosity and commitment to making things better for young adult survivors... but today it is his friendship for which I am most grateful.

About five years ago, The SAMFund received a $500 donation from a total stranger. When I emailed him to thank him and to find out how he had found The SAMFund, he responded that he had seen my story in the Livestrong book and wanted to reach out because his family and friends had been touched by cancer, and even with resources available to them the experience was still a difficult one. He was compelled to give because he could imagine how much more complicated cancer could be when finances became a factor, too.

That's one of the amazing things about Jeremy. He "got it," even without having gone through it himself. He was able to put himself in other people's shoes and genuinely wanted to do what he could to make things easier for them. He joined our Board several year later, at the same time as he joined the Board of another cancer organization in New York.

So the irony was surreal - the only word that comes to mind, though it isn't even close to adequate - when he called me several months later to tell me that he had just been diagnosed with advanced cancer. I remember exactly where I was sitting.

That conversation - and those that followed - immediately catapulted our relationship from a brief, professional one to a more meaningful and intensely personal friendship. Because of our shared history, he had included me in a tiny circle of people who knew what he was going through, and amidst the fear and uncertainty and sadness and anger, I was honored. An incredibly private person, he trusted me with his story and I was grateful and determined to support him as best I could. Very quickly and very deeply, Jeremy became my friend.

It was truly amazing to watch Jeremy navigate his cancer experience. He was, hands down, the most well-informed, determined self-advocate I have ever seen. Given the unpredictability of his diagnosis, he educated himself on every single option and made the best decisions he could as to the course of treatment. He had a powerful army of medical professionals, family members and friends who had his back and while he remained both hopeful and realistic about what might happen, he knew he was never alone.

Things got worse, quickly, and I went to New York last week to see him. I knew it was going to be a difficult visit, and I had no idea what to say. We had a long conversation without saying much. It was hard for him to talk because of the morphine, so I just sat with him. What I did say was how lucky I felt that our paths had crossed and how grateful I was to have had him in my life. I thanked him for being my friend. As hard and as emotional as it was, I know what a gift it was to be able to say goodbye.

I didn't know Jeremy for a long time. I don't know what his favorite color was, or what kind of music he liked. Our friendship was one that not many people knew about, because he was very private about his story and I kept my promise to him not to share it until he decided to. But our bond was a deep one and I will never, ever forget him.

So, through my tears, I will say a final goodbye to Jeremy here. Thank you for touching my life and for inviting me into yours. Thank you for all that you have done for The SAMFund. You will forever be part of our organization and we will do our best to honor your memory.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Sam

Moved To Help: Why One Survivor Is Giving Back

2012-02-27T15:16:00.007-05:00

You've probably seen my periodic updates on Facebook when we send out grant checks, plan new Webinars or have Survivors' Network events coming up. I do this because I want you, our online community, to know that you are as much a part of what we do as Michelle and I are.

Last week, I posted to our group that we had hit the $100,000 mark in 2011 grant payments, with $35K more to go. In response, one of our Facebook group members wrote this: "Great work ...Bless the Givers." Her words have really stuck with me over this past week. It truly is the givers who make our work possible.

For that reason, I'm absolutely thrilled to introduce you to Aaron who, along with his family, has been a loyal SAMFund donor and volunteer (and is a young adult survivor himself!). Highlighting his story here is one way for us to say "thank you" to him for his continued support and to share with our readers the perspective of one donor and why he is committed to making a difference for other young adult survivors. Enjoy! --Sam

For how long have you been involved with The SAMFund, and in what capacity?

I first learned of The SAMFund in 2007 while on a retreat for cancer survivors with NextStep. One of the topics of discussion was around how to get access to the many resources available to cancer patients/survivors. This led to the group brainstorming a list of resources, including The SAMFund.

About a year later I met Sam herself at a Boston University event. I will never forget introducing myself to Sam, telling her how I had just gotten through an important “all clear” milestone and having her immediately give me a hug. Keep in mind, we had just met less than 5 minutes earlier!

Having gone through my own journey as a patient and a survivor I had an instant personal connection to Sam herself, but also with the organization. I could easily relate to the struggles that Sam is working on solving for survivors in my age group—well my age group, at the time!

With my background in marketing, I felt it only natural to volunteer my time and services to provide advice and counsel wherever possible and as appropriate to the organization. I have also participated on the grant review committee and, of course, am a donor.

There are more than 1.2 million charities in this country. Why do you give to The SAMFund?

My wife and I use a very simple guiding principle when deciding where to contribute. We look to answer some very basic questions: Can we see the impact of the organization in our “community;” does the organization inspire us to do greater things; is our personal network involved directly; or are they causes that we care deeply about based on our backgrounds. We also choose to get involved in a limited number of organizations where it's possible to have a deeper impact.

While no one wants to be part of the cancer survivor community—well ok, once you have cancer I guess you DO want to survive!—once you are, it is easy to relate to the experiences of others. I was extremely fortunate to have a good job and a good manager who gave me the freedom to seek treatment and carry on my work. I also had treatments that allowed me to continue to work, and the support of family and friends to carry me through. I met far too many people who were not blessed with these same resources. To see them struggle not only with a crushing diagnosis, but also with exhaustive treatments, and punishing bills—it’s really overwhelming. What The SAMFund aspires to achieve is really inspiring and I am pleased to be a part of it in whatever small way that I can.

What has been your most meaningful/memorable SAMFund moment?

The hug? I am kidding, of course. For me, having the opportunity to participate in the grant review process was very special. While the stories people have are incredibly challenging to read, and you just want to reach out and help everyone, you really try to focus on the people who really need that boost. What some people have been able to do with so very little is amazing, and to be able to help them on their way is really powerful.

What do you want people to know about The SAMFund?

I want people to know that The SAMFund is out there. We have all been touched by cancer in some fashion, either directly or through a loved one, or through a relationship, and we should all find ways to support these organizations in the manner most appropriate for us. This group of young adults with cancer is such an underserved group, and knowing that foundations like The SAMFund can have such a dynamic and lasting impact on people’s lives is important. There are plenty of people who can use the help, we need to get more people involved who can give that help to really expand The SAMFund opportunity.

What are your hopes for The SAMFund in the next 5 years? 50 years?

I would love for The SAMFund to be in a position to operate as an endowment that can fund giving rather than be purely a fundraising organization each year. To reach that kind of potential expands the opportunity for that many more people and touches that many more lives in a positive way. I look forward to continuing to help out wherever I can to help the organization achieve its mission!