"Although progress has been made in reducing incidence and mortality rates and improving survival rates, cancer still accounts for more deaths than heart disease in persons younger than 65."
-American Cancer Society annual report for 2009
15-40 NEWS
Public Service Campaign Warns of Harmful Results
50/50 Cancer-Themed Film Sparks Cancer Survivor Perspectives
"50/50", the cancer-themed film released on September 30, 2011 sparked cancer survivor insights, with a focus on the importance of listening to early, quiet cancer signals. Read more...
Marlborough Eagles Plan 'Rock & Stroll'
The 15-40 Connection is collaborating with the Marlborough Fraternal Order of Eagles to improve cancer survival rates for people 15 to 40 years old. Join us at the third annual Rock and Stroll event on Sunday, October 23 at Ward Park on Orchard Street in Marlborough. The fun starts at 10:00 am and registration runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Enjoy the music from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. Lots of food and fun! All donations accepted. Read more...
Local organization supports the 15-40 Connection
On Sunday, September 18, practitioners from Inner Spaces of Westborough hosted a clinic for individuals undergoing treatment for cancer. Licensed oncology massage therapists from around the state donated their time to provide complimentary sessions. The 15-40 Connection, a non-profit dedicated to local cancer education, outreach, and support was selected to benefit. Read more...
Why are you ignoring me? by Jim Coghlin, founder of 15-40 Connection
If you could complete one simple task hat could save your life, would you? Would you do the same for your children? As a father of four young adults and a granfather of ten active children, I know my answer is a resounding "yes!"... Read more...
Rising Country Star Shines as 15-40 Connection Ambassador
Boston, MA...At 12, Ashley Gearing made music history by landing her hit single on the country singles chart. Today, at 20, Ashley is busy not only taking her vocal career to the next level but speaking out as a 15-40 Connection Ambassador and volunteer spokesperson. Read more...
Niche Hospitality Group and Austin Liquors Rocked the Block for the 15-40 Connection
Worcester, MA...The 15-40 Connection is grateful for your support and help in building awareness that teen and young adult cancer survival rates have not improved since 1975. More than 70,000 young adults in the US will be diagnosed with cancer this year. We can improve survival rates. Early detection from awareness and advocacy can save lives. Read more...
Joe Andruzzi
Joe Andruzzi had been gearing up to get his football career back on track. In May 2007, two weeks after getting cut by the Browns, Andruzzi was in Cleveland working out at a local gym preparing to make a couple of visits with teams around the NFL. But there was this biting pain in his stomach that grew excruciatingly worse by the day. "I just started getting some stomach pains," Andruzzi said Thursday, the first day of the eighth annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio - Telethon. "It wasn't normal. I just told my wife I wanted to see a doctor." After a series of tests were inconclusive, Andruzzi had a CAT Scan on his stomach on May 16, 2007, which found a large tumor spread through his abdominal area and wrapped around his colon. It was an extremely rare form of Non - Hodgkin's Lymphoma called Burkitt's Lymphoma, a very aggressive type of cancer that can double in size within 24 hours. Andruzzi, a New England Patriots guard from 2000 - 04, was no longer fighting for his next contract. Rather, he was getting ready to fight for his life. Read more...
JIM COGHLIN, SR. FINALIST FOR CLASSY AWARD
The CLASSY Awards recognizes top philanthropic achievements by charities, businesses, and individuals in eight major US cities. The Volunteer of the Year Award honors an individual who has demonstrated the most commitment and donated the most time and effort to support their chosen cause. Read more...
A Closer Look at Teenage Sleep Patterns: How Tired is too Tired?
...many teenagers sleep past noon on the weekends when they don't have to get to school. This leaves many to wonder just what level of fatigue is normal, and how does one determine how much sleep a teenager needs? Read more...
Mark R. Ungerer Golf Tournament Nets $500,000 for Teen and Young Adult Cancer Awareness, Research and Care
Cancer survival rates for teens and young adults, those aged 15 to 40, have not improved since 1975...The 15-40 Connection is raising awareness of these issues and will use the funding to educate 15 to 40-year-olds about the importance of early detection and how to "Check Yourself" and self-advocate. Read more...
Important: 4 Ways to Improve Cancer Survival Rates Now
Did you know that cancer is the number one disease related cause of death in those aged 15 to 40? This means that every eight minutes a young adult is diagnosed with the disease. Not scared yet? How about the fact that survival rates in this age group have not changed since the 1970s. That's right - a girl wearing plaid bellbottoms had the same chance of beating cancer as someone diagnosed today. Read more...
Resident Celebrating 16 Years Since Beating Cancer
It was 16 years-ago Ben Blaisdell was about to compete in a sailing race during Marblehead's sailing week on the hottest day of the summer when all of a sudden he started freezing. Read more...
The Facebook Fan Challenge Pays Off: 15-40 Connection Gains 10,000 Facebook Fans, Earns $10,000 Donation for Young Adult Cancer Awareness
Non-profit focused on raising awareness that cancer survival rates among 15-40 year olds have barely changed in 35 years grows from 150 Facebook fans to 18,000 fans in just three months Read more...
"Rock the Doc" Young Adult Cancer Awareness Campaign offers Two-Carat Diamond Reward for Going to the Doctor
The 15-40 Connection urges 15-40 year olds to "Rock the Doc" and commit to catching cancer early when it's easier to treat. Grand prize winner will receive a two-carat diamond ring - a $30,000 retail value. Read more...
Taye Diggs and Lisa Edelstein Voted Hottest TV Doctors by Facebook Fans
Worcester, MA - April 28, 2010 - Ever wonder who is the hottest TV doctor? The votes are in. According to a 15-40 Connection "Hot Doc" survey of Facebook fans, Taye Diggs of Private Practice and Lisa Edelstein of House are the hottest male and female TV doctors. Read more...
Notes from the Desk: Beyond the Relay
Tomorrow evening, hundreds of people will descend on Middlebury for the town's annual Relay for Life event. It's a success by any measure, especially when you consider that our relay has raised more than $1 million for the American Cancer Society since a Middlebury student started it seven years ago. Read more...
15-40 Connection Starts National Campaign for Cancer Awareness
How much do you think the annual cancer survival rates for those aged 15 to 40 have changed over the last 35 years? It may shock you to learn that there has been almost no improvement. Read more...
The 15-40 Connection Receives $10,000 Facebook Fan Challenge
Anonymous donor offers $10,000 if 10,000 Facebook Fans commit to helping close the 15-40 cancer gap; survival rates nearly unchanged in 35 years Read more...
15-40 Connection Inspired by Friendship, Giving
Shrewsbury resident Jim Coghlin remembers his friend Mark Ungerer as an "amazing person" who was quick to donate his time to good causes while acknowledging others' good deeds with handwritten notes, books, and even plaques. Though Ungerer succumbed to multiple myeloma... Read more...
Mary Lynne Wilson - A Fight Marked with Grace and Dignity
The way in which Mary Lynne battled her cancer was admired by many. By the time her cancer was found, it had progressed to an advanced stage. Despite the fear this diagnosis causes, Read more...
Baseball pitcher mourned
Greg Montalbano of Westboro, the former St. John's High and Northeastern University baseball star, who went on to become the Boston Red Sox minor league player of the year, lost his long battle with cancer on Friday, August 21, 2009. He would have turned 32 on August 22. Read more...
Marlborough Eagles Plan 'Rock & Stroll'
The Eagles' "Rock and Stroll" event, set for Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ghiloni Park, aims to raise money earmarked for several local charities, including a fund to help prevent and cure cancer among young adults, a group that typically never sees cancer coming and typically suffers more as a result. Read more...
Foundation For Young Adult Cancer Patients
Survival rates for children and older adults with cancer have soared 30 percent in the past two decades, during which there has been no improvement in survival rates for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Read more...
