(585) 563-6221 info@13thirty.org

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 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.

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.

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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 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.

2001
2001

Our Inspiration

Melissa died on June 22, 2000. Established Melissa’s Living Legacy Teen Cancer Foundation as a 501 (c) (3).

2002
2002

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.

2004
2004

Resource Development

Recognized by the National Cancer Institute as an important teen cancer resource; distributed advocacy materials nationwide.

2006
2006

Growing Influence

Invited to be a charter member of first international AYA coalition; recognized by the Wall Street Journal.

2009
2009

Home of Our Own

Opened first Center in Rochester, NY. Teens with cancer have a safe, welcoming space to connect with others.

2011
2011

New Programs

Developed new fitness, nutrition, and expressive arts programs; began community advocacy.

2012
2012

Beyond Rochester

Co-sponsored teen program in Buffalo in partnership with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center for five years.

2013
2013

New Initiatives

Expanded the Rochester Center for parent programs; started Goin’ Bald for Bucks; held first Bandana Bolt 5K run/walk.

2015
2015

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.

2017
2017

Broader Advocacy

Began outreach to local schools, colleges, and universities; started Beards for Bucks with local law enforcement.

2019
2019

On the Move

Opened second Center in Syracuse, NY; established Young Professionals Associate Board.

2020
2020

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.

2021
2021

Collaboration & Construction

Collaborated with community partners throughout April for Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month. Built a colorful kitchen space to host nutrition programs.

2022
2022

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.

2023
2023

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.

2024
2024

Initiated collaborative research project with University of Rochester Medical Center and Rochester Regional Health to study disparities in AYAs with cancer. More to come…