Making a difference since 2001
ABOUT 13THIRTY
→ 13thirty Cancer Connect is helping adolescents & young adults (AYAs) with cancer live their very best lives – TODAY!
A Lasting Legacy…
These words spoken by a dying 19-year-old girl to her mother just days before her death, became her last request and her lasting legacy, and inspired the establishment of 13thirty Cancer Connect, Inc., initially named Melissa’s Living Legacy Teen Cancer Foundation.
13thirty Cancer Connect is helping adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer live their very best lives – TODAY!
Our Mission
The MISSION of 13thirty Cancer Connect is to help teens and young adults diagnosed with cancer meet their unique challenges through a coordinated, continuum of essential resources and public advocacy efforts.
Since its beginning in 2001, 13thirty has become an internationally known and respected leader in the field of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer because of our strong passion, clear vision, and steadfast commitment to a singular focus – teens and young adults with cancer.
Our Vision & Values
Our VISION is that every teen and young adult with cancer “connect” with 13thirty. We strive to incorporate our VALUES into every program and each personal interaction.
What sets us apart is our concentrated effort on a targeted national problem affecting approximately 90,000 young people in the United States each year. As Melissa asked of her mom, we are making a difference. We are making things better for teens and young adults with cancer around the world.
Tender Loving Care
Compassionately nurture each person’s spirit with warmth & kindness.
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Respect
Preserve the dignity of all by valuing each person’s inherent worth, unique needs, & capacity for self-determination
Relevance
Provide meaningful resources congruent with our mission by staying abreast of medical, social, & technological trends.
Safety
Create an environment where people feel physically protected, emotionally safe, & psychologically unburdened.
Stewardship
Continually improve our business practices in order to manage resources wisely & sustain the organization.
Honesty
Engender trust by fostering open communication, being fair & truthful in all transactions, & adhering to the highest standards of professional integrity.
How does 13thirty help?
- Our resources help AYAs enhance their coping skills and self-esteem through meaningful peer connections, learning to self-advocate, and developing effective self-management tools for long-term health.
- A comprehensive continuum of support (from diagnosis and treatment to healthy survivorship or if necessary, end-of-life) helps AYAs with cancer successfully
transition through each stage of their cancer experience.
- We advocate strongly for improved delivery of medical and educational services through clinician education initiatives and outreach to schools and universities.
- Together with our strategic partners, we work to increase access to age-appropriate care for all AYA patients and survivors with concentrated focus on improving survivorship (early detection, health maintenance, and follow-up care).
Our Newsletter
Our Annual Report
Our Policies
Click here to view our policies.
Our Tax Information
13thirty Cancer Connect is a non-profit, public benefit, charitable organization determined by the IRS to be a 501(c)(3) organization in which goods are tax deductible. Tax ID #47-4493013
Our 990 Form
Click here to view our 990 form.
Our History
Our efforts to support teens with cancer were among the first and gave us a seat at the table as the adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology movement was just gaining ground.
Our Inspiration
Melissa died on June 22, 2000. Established Melissa’s Living Legacy Teen Cancer Foundation as a 501 (c) (3).
Year of Firsts
Held first informal peer programs at Lauren’s house; first teen cancer website; first important partnership with the Children’s Oncology Group.
Resource Development
Recognized by the National Cancer Institute as an important teen cancer resource; distributed advocacy materials nationwide.
Growing Influence
Invited to be a charter member of first international AYA coalition; recognized by the Wall Street Journal.
Home of Our Own
Opened first Center in Rochester, NY. Teens with cancer have a safe, welcoming space to connect with others.
New Programs
Developed new fitness, nutrition, and expressive arts programs; began community advocacy.
Beyond Rochester
Co-sponsored teen program in Buffalo in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center for five years.
New Initiatives
Expanded the Rochester Center for parent programs; started Goin’ Bald for Bucks; held first Bandana Bolt 5K run/walk.
Expanded Mission & New Name
Began supporting young adults as well as teens with cancer; changed name to reflect age group 13-39; moved into larger Rochester space.
Broader Advocacy
Began outreach to local schools, colleges, and universities; started Beards for Bucks with local law enforcement.
On the Move
Opened second Center in Syracuse, NY; established Young Professionals Associate Board.
Twenty Year Celebration
Kicked off our 20th year with a celebratory pancake breakfast. COVID-19 closed our doors, but we quickly pivoted to virtual programs and events.
Collaboration & Construction
Collaborated with community partners throughout April for Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. Built a colorful kitchen space to host nutrition programs.
Healing with Comedy
13thirty members performed stand-up comedy at our sold-out gala, Journeys, for “Sometimes, You Just Gotta Laugh!” This created a new annual April event at Comedy @ The Carlson.
Pioneering AYA Resources
Established Courtney’s Court Challenge Memorial Tennis Tournament as a new signature event held in honor of our 13thirty friend, Courtney Ferrara Wilhelm. Launched our wellness app, 13thirty To Go!; held the Inaugural YA Cancer Retreat at Keuka Lake.
Initiated collaborative research project with University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health to study disparities in AYAs with cancer. More to come…