“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
I’ve stopped answering that question. Five years ago I was 31. Five years ago I was planning my wedding. Five years ago, I was unaware that cancer was surging through my body.
When I was diagnosed with stage four neuroendocrine cancer in 2021, becoming an advocate for this extremely nuanced, uncommon cancer was not on my bingo card. But somewhere between the physical pains of recovering from a Whipple and the mental struggle of quarterly MRIs and CTs, I knew I had to start living my cancer battle in a more radical, in-your-face fashion.
So my wife and I started popping cans to celebrate the little wins in the fight against cancer, and our non-profit, Good Scan Cans was born. Our goal was simple: pop a tab on a can every time there was something worth celebrating, which, for many cancer patients often means a clean scan. But it wasn’t until I was introduced to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation that I started to fully realize the importance of raising awareness and research funds for my disease.
Leveling up my advocacy
When I first came in contact with NETRF in June of 2024, I was feeling a little lost as to Good Scan Can’s next venture. In late 2023, we did a gift card drive for families fighting cancer. Earlier, in 2024, I had just released a music video to commemorate one year of being on chemo (a venture that took me six months to write and record), but beyond that, I had no idea what I was going to do to continue the Good Scan Cans mission. That is, until a fortuitous conversation with NETRF when they asked me, “Have you ever thought about throwing a fundraising event?” Of course, the answer was yes, but the means to pull off such a feat seemed too much for my wife and me to handle. But NETRF said they would help, and even encouraged me to start the Good Scan Cans challenge on social media to raise additional awareness for neuroendocrine cancer in the time leading up to our fundraiser. With their partnership, I agreed to host the first in-person Good Scan Cans fundraiser.
Finding comfort in community
Over the next few months, my relationship with NETRF grew. We talked regularly, and they introduced me to dozens of others seeking new treatments and cures: nonprofit founders, caregivers, scientists, and—most beneficial to me—fellow patients who were vocal, fierce advocates just like me. It is impossible to overstate how important it was for me to connect with other neuroendocrine thrivers. Especially as a young cancer-haver, connecting with other young patients was crucial to my mental health. There is a certain, unspeakable bond that exists between two cancer patients, and because of NETRF, I’ve developed these bonds dozens of times. That is just one of the reasons I love working with NETRF. One of the other big reasons is that, flat out, they are the worldwide leader in raising research funds for neuroendocrine cancer. We need better ways of early detection. We need more advanced treatments. I love the NETRF tagline, “Dedicated to curing neuroendocrine cancer,” because, and I’m not afraid to say it…WE CAN BEAT NEUROENDOCRINE CANCER. Eventually.
The power of small victories
When all was said and done, the Good Scan Cans and Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation collaboration raised $10,000 for neuroendocrine research. This is a number I am proud of, but not impressed by. There are non-profits who raise more money than us, and there are cancer patients who are more knowledgeable of their disease than I am, but I’m learning every day how to be a better patient, advocate, and founder, and NETRF is helping me do so.
People tell me I am inspiring all the time, but I’m really not. I’m just a regular guy who was dealt some irregular cards, and is playing his hand the best he can. So can you. If you would like to get involved, please…reach out! To me, or to NETRF. I’m beating cancer one small victory at a time. Join me.
Interested in learning more about community fundraising? We are here to offer support. Visit out website or reach out to Steve Perna at steve.perna@netrf.org.