We then split the CancerCon participants into breakout rooms of 4-5 people and gave them 20 minutes to intimately discuss their passions, what those without a cancer diagnosis don’t truly understand, and what they are worried about falling behind in, whether it be in life or from a professional standpoint.įollowing the breakout rooms, all of the participants were brought back together to discuss what they talked about in their groups. I told Sidney how crucial Joe was during my treatments because I was able to ask him questions about the sports broadcasting field in addition to how to better myself for a future in sports broadcasting. Sidney and I then engaged in an intimate conversation regarding when I was undergoing chemo treatments and how being unable to go to school affected my plans for the future. I was able to talk a little about my cancer journey as well as my friendship and mentorship with Joe Block, play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first 10-15 minutes of our presentation was devoted to introducing ourselves to the 20+ people that joined in on the discussion. In our 60-minute discussion titled “Find Your Passion: Recentering School & Career Goals After Cancer.” we got the chance to talk to young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer about the difficulties of balancing work and treatments as well as developing a plan to find a passion and return to school and work following cancer treatments. On Saturday, June 12, Connecting Champions Executive Director Sidney Kushner and I had the pleasure of presenting and leading a discussion at Stupid Cancer’s annual CancerCon. For more information, please visit /toast. Sean Nolan and Katie White-Montgomery, two teen cancer survivors and Connecting Champions alumni, will emcee the virtual celebration. Those who cannot attend, can also make a donation at /donate. Attendees can purchase a ticket to the event to recieve their own mystery toast box. Each participant will receive a “mystery toast box” at their doorstep, including a fancy drink, pastry, and other mystery items for the whole family. To celebrate this milestone, Connecting Champions will bring together program participants and their families, donors, mentors and more to celebrate the accomplishments of the organization. “We are incredibly proud to have connected so many cancer patients with mentors in everything from zoology to ghost hunting to cosmetology and more.” “When I started Connecting Champions a decade ago, I saw a need to provide support and friendship to young people going through the cancer journey,” said Sidney Kushner, Founder & Executive Director, Connecting Champions. As of 2021, Connecting Champions has expanded beyond Pittsburgh and has made friendships possible in more than 15 cities. Since its beginning in 2011, the organization has matched more than 300 kids and young adults with a mentor. The program at Connecting Champions is evidence-based and outcomes-driven to help children overcome severe social isolation and focus on what comes beyond cancer. 3, at 7 p.m with a virtual celebration.Ĭonnecting Champions asks kids and young adults diagnosed with cancer, “What are you passionate about?” and then partners them with a mentor who shares their passion. The Toast to 10 Years will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2021) Connecting Champions, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that provides mentorship and friendship to child and young adult cancer patients across the nation, is celebrating its anniversary with a virtual event highlighting a decade of connecting hundreds of children and young adults with a mentor.
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