Category: Campaigns

TEAMS | #AYAWeek 2016

Posted by

Teens & young adults deserve specialized healthcare professionals experienced in working with their age group. The team of professionals surrounding young people are often not trained to work specifically with this age group; finding resources to help the young person or appropriate activities for them to engage in can be demanding and challenging. An Interdisciplinary Team for teens and young adults with cancer should include specialist health professionals from pediatric and adult medical oncology. Their communication and collaboration with a specific focus on this age group is essential to delivering successful programs. In time, Teen Cancer America’s goal is to develop specialist training for teen and young adult cancer professionals, but until then it is essential to merge the skills and experience of professional staff from both pediatric and adult medical oncology. Luckily, there are wonderful healthcare professionals leading the way today! Take a look…

Advanced Clinical Nurse Amelia Baffa is a Patient Navigator for adolescents and young adults at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, and helps patients caught between pediatric and adult oncology in the aftermath of being hit by “the cancer bus.” – American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio

  Interdisciplinary teams take research and protocols into consideration specifically for teens and young adults. This is especially important when having discussions about important topics like fertility, sexuality and family planning. Take a look at this article for an example of teams doing just that (including TCA Ambassador and medical student, Daniel Bral!)

Read Article > HOW MUCH DOES CHEMO IMPACT FERTILITY?

This week we are raising awareness for #AYAWeek at Teen Cancer America. Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer encompasses about 70,000 young people (ages 15-39) diagnosed each year in the United States. According to The NIH’s National Cancer Institute, this is about six times the number of cancers diagnosed in children ages 0-14. You’ve heard us talk a lot about teens (we are Teen Cancer America after all!) and our focus on 13-25 year olds, but the AYA group deals with many of the same roadblocks that our TYA group encounters.

Join us on Facebook • Twitter • Instagram for more #AYAWeek at Teen Cancer America

April 4-8: Teen Cancer America’s AYA Week 2016

Posted by

This week we are raising awareness for #AYAWeek at Teen Cancer America. Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer encompasses about 70,000 young people (ages 15-39) diagnosed each year in the United States. According to The NIH’s National Cancer Institute, this is about six times the number of cancers diagnosed in children ages 0-14. You’ve heard us talk a lot about teens (we are Teen Cancer America after all!) and our focus on 13-25 year olds, but the AYA group deals with many of the same roadblocks that our TYA group encounters. Last month Teen Cancer America joined our Co-founders Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend for two major events: the opening of our newest Teen & Young Adult Lounge at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and a conversation on Capitol Hill with members of congress dedicated to making a change in the way our health system cares for young people with serious illness. This week, we want to continue the conversation with you, here on our blog and on social media. We hope you join us throughout the week to learn more about our goal to change the way we think of SPACE, TEAMS, TREATMENT and RESEARCH for teens and young adults – and adolescents – with cancer.

Join us on Facebook • Twitter • Instagram for more #AYAWeek at Teen Cancer America

#AYAWeek Schedule

MONDAY APRIL 4th | SPACE

Teens & young adults deserve dedicated spaces in hospitals away from children & older people.

Take a look at a testimonials from teens and young adults with cancer around the country, read about our co-founders, Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend’s involvement, and find what teens and young adults really want from their hospital spaces.TUESDAY APRIL 5th | TEAMS

Teens & young adults deserve specialized healthcare professionals experienced in working with their age group.

The team of healthcare providers that a teen or young adult encounters during their treatment and beyond can make all the difference in their experience. Find out what information caregivers are using to have better conversations with their teen and young adult cancer patients and meet an award winning nurse working at one of our partner hospitals. WEDNESDAY APRIL 6th | TREATMENT

Teens & young adults deserve to have treatment and support designed specifically for their age group.

Learn about the challenges of understanding the particular treatment needs of teens and young adults with cancer as well as how their psychological and social needs are different and should be addressed. THURSDAY APRIL 7th | RESEARCH

Teens and young adults deserve a greater research investment into the cancers that affect their age group.

Teen Cancer America joined members of congress last month to discuss ways we can improve research and get closer to a cure for young people with severe illnesses. Learn more about what you can do. FRIDAY APRIL 8th | #ROAR4TCA Today we’re launching our ROAR4TCA campaign. You’ve heard what we have to say, now help teens and young adults in our country get the SPACE, TEAMS, TREATMENT and RESEARCH they deserve by roaring for Teen Cancer America!

New Teen & Young Adult Lounge Opens In NYC

Posted by

Teen Cancer America is happy to announce the opening of it’s new teen and young adult facility called “The Lounge” at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC, on Friday March 18th!   The new lounge area is a wonderful space with great design, offering cafeteria style facilities, modern features, cool lighting and decor. Providing teens and young adults with up to date technology, The Lounge will give them more opportunities to stay connected with the world outside of the hospital. This new area will be a fabulous resource for young people going through cancer, as it will provide a brilliant social area for young people to meet and hang out.   The money given for this state of the art facility was raised by Teen Cancer America Co-Founders Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who during a show performed at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.
[caption id="attachment_6783" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Teen Cancer America Board Members Glenn & Maria Taylor visit the newest TCA unit with Ambassador Zachary Cohen[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6787" align="aligncenter" width="660"] The Lounge, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6790" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Hospital Programs and Services Director, Hilary Gan, getting the full tour![/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6785" align="aligncenter" width="660"] The Lounge, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6789" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Memorial Sloan Kettering Staff welcomes Teen Cancer America representatives before the official opening of The Lounge[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_6784" align="aligncenter" width="660"] The Lounge, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6786" align="aligncenter" width="660"] The Lounge, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6792" align="aligncenter" width="660"] The Lounge, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYC[/caption]  

NORTH CAROLINA CARES; FUNDRAISING IN RALEIGH

Posted by

  Teen Cancer America (TCA), presents North Carolina Cares, an evening of food, music and philanthropy hosted by TCA co-founder and The Who front man Roger Daltrey in Raleigh, NC. All proceeds from the event will benefit future Teen Cancer America units in hospitals throughout North Carolina.

 

EVENT INFORMATION:

Date: Thursday, April 28, 2016 | Time: 5:30 p.m.

Location: The First Citizens Center, 4300 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC

Individual Ticket Price: $300

 

PURCHASE TICKETS:

To purchase individual tickets or become a sponsor, contact

Barbara Taylor Leedy at The Special Event Company.

E: barbara@specialeventco.com T: 919 459 8785

For more info, visit the NC Cares page here.

  The event will include a VIP reception with Daltrey and friends, plated dinner, a live auction, raffle prizes and entertainment from bluegrass superstars The HillBenders. Prizes include signed The Who / music memorabilia, VIP meet and greet tickets for The Who Hits 50! Tour, and much more.

“The leadership that the North Carolina business community is demonstrating in support of TCA’s mission to provide age-specific support to their teens will set a benchmark for other states to follow. I am so thankful for the support and happy to be able to join the business leaders, healthcare professionals, and most importantly, North Carolina’s patients and survivors in April to kick off this initiative.” – Roger Daltrey

 

SPONSORSHIP & REGISTRATION:

Interested in becoming a sponsor for North Carolina Cares fundraiser? Download our Sponsorship Packet for more information about opportunities and registration.

For further information regarding this event, to purchase a table, or to become a sponsor, contact Barbara Taylor Leedy at The Special Event Company.

E: barbara@specialeventco.com T: 919 459 8785

 
 

 HEADLINE SPONSORS:

 

GOLD SPONSORS:

      

 

SILVER SPONSORS:

 

50 STATES 50 STORIES: NORTH CAROLINA

 

We stopped in North Carolina during the Road Rebellion to meet Julia, story is featured above. Sadly Julia passed away in March 2015. We will continue to share Julia’s story, as she wanted both her voice to be heard and to be a part of the continuing campaign to raise awareness and support for teens and young adults with cancer.

 

MORE ABOUT TEEN CANCER AMERICA

 
  • The first TCA Unit was successfully launched in 2013 at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, California.
 
  • Within the next decade, more than fifty hospitals in the United States have been slated to receive the same TCA program, benefiting millions of young cancer patients across the country.
 
  • Since its inception in 1989, TCA’s sister organization in the U.K., Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), has successfully raised more than $150 million and built more than 30 teen cancer units throughout the U.K.
 
  • The units supported by the North Carolina Cares event will provide a hospital venue where teen cancer patients can be medically treated with their peers. These units also include a TCA lounge where teens can escape from the harsh realities of cancer and interact with outside friends and family. Each TCA lounge features computers, pool tables, plasma TV’s, movies and video games for interactive play.

Lights Camera Cure and Teen Cancer America benefit UCLA teen & young adult unit

Posted by

[caption id="attachment_6467" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Steven Roth closes out the show.[/caption] Two Schools of Rock, Fairfax and West LA, showed off their incredible young talent as teens belted out The Who songs from the band’s amazing catalogue. Roger and Pete would be proud of their performance at Bardot’s last Thursday night. Devon Werkheiser hosted the evening, keeping the crowd entertained throughout, including a beautiful acoustic number of his own. Lou Pine (including School of Rock teacher Ryan Schiff) delivered two masterful numbers of their own. We were then treated to a storming set by Steven Roth and his band, bringing the audience to their feet in an amazing finale to the evening. The two charities had come together to raise money for the Daltrey/Townshend Teen and Young Adult Cancer Program at UCLA. It was a fantastic evening that raised profile and vital funds whilst ensuring that the crowd had a night to remember.
The event raised $3,455
. [caption id="attachment_6466" align="aligncenter" width="660"] School of Rock performs at Bardot – Hollywood, CA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_6468" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Guests at the event bid on silent auction items.[/caption]

Roger Daltrey Continues His Crusade Against Cancer

Posted by

This article was originally posted online at NYPOST.com’s Page Six on June 1, 2015. Written by Emily Smith

Roger Daltrey continues his crusade against adolescent cancer

    Legendary rocker Roger Daltrey just performed at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center with his band The Who and with Bruce Springsteen at a MusicCares event – but said his real heroes are the adolescents battling cancer he helps through his organization Teen Cancer America.   Daltrey, 71, has for decades raised money for the UK’s successful Teenage Cancer Trust, and has now expanded his vision to the US with Teen Cancer America. The organization aims to improve the quality of life for young adults with cancer, by bridging the gap between pediatric and adult care, as adolescents are currently treated in the same units as very young children or much older adults.   Daltrey last week visited Manhattan’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital to open a new adolescent cancer center which includes a communal lounge, a mentoring program led by survivors and an app where patients nationwide can share their experiences.   [caption id="attachment_6015" align="alignleft" width="1369"] Roger Daltrey visits Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on May 27[/caption] Of his work with adolescents with cancer, Daltrey said, “This gives me so much joy. You meet these kids who are the literal heroes, I just look up to them so much, they inspire me.” He continued, “You get one life, one chance, I walked out of school on my 15th birthday, with the headmaster screaming in my ears, ‘You’ll never make anything from your life Daltrey!’ I walked out with a grin on my face and I thought ‘Well I’ll f**king show him’.”   “And that’s my attitude, nothing is impossible. When I look back at my life, and think of the things we had to deal with, it’s been an insane life, a life of incredible privilege, incredible ups and downs…..then this came at a time when I was thinking what do I do with my life after music, a light bulb went on, and I thought, how come no-one’s noticed [that teens with cancer have no special care]? It was like walking out of the headmasters office again, I thought, ‘I’ll f**king show you, I’ll do this’.”   Daltrey says he hopes by the end of next year to have funded and built 12 adolescent cancer centers in hospitals across the US including, Stamford, University of Chicago, UCLA and Nashville’s Vanderbilt, and they are in talks with more hospitals nationwide. He and his bandmate Pete Townshend have recruited stars including Eddie Vedder, Joan Jett, Elvis Costello, Joe Walsh and The Band Perry to help with fundraising concerts. They are also working with Hernan Barangan, a filmmaker and two-time cancer survivor, who has traveled to 50 states to film the stories and voices of young cancer patients.   Daltrey continued, “There are 30 teens adolescents and young adults diagnosed a day with cancer, apart from leukemia there’s been virtually no improvement in the success rate of curing the cancers in teens since the 1970s. By having these units and identifying this group it will help researchers focus on why that is, and that will improve the medicine.” [caption id="attachment_6014" align="alignleft" width="2000"] Roger Daltrey visits Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on May 27[/caption] He added, “It just makes so much sense to me, this is something relatively cheap in medical terms, it just takes goodwill from the doctors, the hospitals and the administrators, and what you will provide is a movement and a community of young people that go on to enhance society as a whole in the future, beyond anything we could ever imagine.   Of his life performing – The Who is in the middle of its its 50th anniversary world tour – and helping young people with cancer, “[On stage] I kind of go out of myself, its’ build yourself into a rock star’ time, but as soon as you come off stage, I’m back to being old Roger again..I still carry that teen in me because I sing those songs every night, and I can relate to them, but when I look into the eyes of parents [of kids diagnosed with cancer] I do struggle with that, and all I can say is, we’ll always be there for you, and I just hope we can make it a bit better.”

‘WHO’ Rocks Rosemont, Raises $1.1 Million For National Charity

Posted by

This article was originally posted at The Journal & Topics Newspapers Online, May 27, 2015. The almost full Allstate Arena was on its feet for a full two-hour concert by The Who on Wednesday, May 13 for one of the band’s 50th anniversary tour stops. A benefit concert by the band the next night at the Rosemont Theatre raised about $1.1 million for teen cancer awareness. [caption id="attachment_5994" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pete Townshend at The Rosement, Chicago, IL. Photo: Diane Turner-Hurnes[/caption] Fans attending both concerts said the performances and music were great. Joan Jett and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder appeared at both concerts drawing even greater applause from crowds. Nearly 4,000 people attended the benefit concert May 14, which also featured rockers Joe Walsh and Rick Nielsen. Pete Townshend, guitarist and main songwriter for The Who, is co-founder of Teen Cancer America which raises money for teenagers with cancer. Townshend and The Who have worked to raise funds to fight teen cancer for more than 15 years, beginning with the U.K. Charity Teenage Cancer Trust. Money raised from the Rosemont show supports programs for teenagers and young adults with cancer at the University of Chicago Medicine along with other local children’s charities. Tickets for the benefit concert ran from $1,000 to $100. Rosemont officials said early results showed $1.1 million was raised to go to the charity. The village also waived its $25,000 event rental fee for the Rosemont Theatre event. Teen Cancer America partners with hospitals in the U.S. to provide youth-oriented centers for teenagers and young adults.

Eddie Vedder, Pete Townshend Lead a Who Jam Session for a Good Cause

Posted by

Joan Jett, Joe Walsh and Rick Nielsen join the band for Chicago benefit

This article was originally published by Rolling Stone on May 15, 2015. Written by CORBIN REIFF. Visit www.RollingStone.com for more [caption id="attachment_5925" align="alignnone" width="720"] Eddie Vedder and Pete Townshend teamed to celebrate the Who and raise money for the band’s cancer charity in Chicago. Barry Brecheisen[/caption] Last night outside Chicago, Eddie Vedder sauntered onto the stage of the Rosemont Theater wearing a fanciful coat emblazoned with the British Union Jack. “I got this jacket from Lauren the keyboard player who supposedly got it from Roger,” the singer explained. At this event, “An Evening Celebrating the Who” raising money to benefit the band’s Teen Cancer America organization, everyone in the room knew of the Roger in question. Minutes earlier, he had even made an appearance. “I can’t sing tonight,” the Who frontman told the crowd. “Doctor’s orders. But we’ve got a whole bunch of fantastic guests lined up for you.” As the night progressed, these guests would all share the stage with Pete Townshend, tearing through old hits, a couple of deep cuts and a few classic covers. Vedder came out first, opening the show with a pair of duets sung with Pete’s brother, Simon. He then picked up a ukulele to perform Who by Numbers track “Blue, Red and Grey.” This, he revealed, was the song that inspired him to take up the Hawaiian instrument in the first place. From there he moved to guitar for an acoustic take on Into the Wild’s “Far Behind” and introduced the man of the hour with a duet on Bob Dylan’s “Corrina, Corrina.” When the song ended, the pair quickly segued into “You Stand by Me,” after which Vedder left the stage to resume his place in the shadows. That’s pretty much the way the evening went: One musical configuration would get set, play a couple of tunes and cede the spotlight to another. The whole event felt more like a well-choreographed jam session than a proper rock concert – not that the 4,000 people packed into the cozy theater seemed to mind. The crowd cheered every new star and sang along with every number performed. [caption id="attachment_5926" align="alignnone" width="1035"] Eddie Vedder, Rick Nielsen and Pete Townshend at “An Evening Celebrating the Who.” Barry Brecheisen[/caption] Townshend played a pair of solo acoustic songs before the full Who touring band kicked in and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh grabbed the mic. Walsh sang “The Kids Are Alright” before Townshend took the lead on “Eminence Front.” “This next one is the first song I ever sold to a television show,” he remembered. “It was in the 1980s and the show was called Miami Vice. I think I bought a boat.” Finishing the track, the two men stepped back to make way for recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joan Jett, who ripped into a fiery version of “Summertime Blues” with Walsh grumbling out the gruffer parts formerly reserved for John Entwistle. A song later and Vedder was back for a crowd-pleasing one-two of “Behind Blue Eyes,” and Pearl Jam’s “Betterman.” Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick turned up shortly thereafter to trade guitar licks with Walsh during an incendiary take on “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” Daltrey’s signature primal shriek was missed, but between Walsh’s expressive face, Nielsen’s flashy finger work and Townshend’s signature windmills, there was more than enough spectacle to make up for the absence. That lineup closed the show with a slowly building, ultimately volcanic performance of the Who’s most identifiable hit, “My Generation.” It was a thrilling conclusion to the remarkable night – an event where a decade-spanning combination of rock icons could celebrate one of the most cherished catalogs in pop history and support an important cause. Everyone in the building – both onstage and in the crowd – appeared to appreciate the moment. Set list: “She Asked Me,” Simon Townshend and Eddie Vedder “I’m the Answer,” Simon Townshend and Eddie Vedder “Blue, Red and Grey,” Eddie Vedder “Far Behind,” Eddie Vedder “Corrine, Corrina,” Eddie Vedder and Pete Townshend “You Stand By Me,” Eddie Vedder and Pete Townshend “Drowned,” Pete Townshend “I’m the One,” Pete Townshend “The Kids Are Alright,” Pete Townshend and Joe Walsh “Eminence Front,” Pete Townshend and Joe Walsh “Summertime Blues,” Pete Townshend, Joe Walsh and Joan Jett “I Can’t Explain,” Pete Townshend “Behind Blue Eyes,” Eddie Vedder and Pete Townshend “Betterman,” Eddie Vedder and Pete Townshend “Save It For Later,” Eddie Vedder and Pete Townshend “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” Eddie Vedder, Pete Townshend, Joe Walsh and Rick Nielsen “My Generation,” Eddie Vedder, Pete Townshend, Joe Walsh and Rick Nielsen

The Road Rebellion at The CIFF39

Posted by

The Road Rebellion received an early screening at the 39th Cleveland International Film Festival this week. Filmmaker and Teen Cancer America ambassador, Hernan Barangan, debuted an advanced version of his full-length documentary in the Ohio Shorts Program. [caption id="attachment_5170" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Hernan Barangan in Nashville, TN. One stop in his journey to film one teen or young adult affected by cancer in all 50 states.[/caption]

A Sampling of Home-Grown Hits

Originally posted by Lara Klaber in Filmmakers The CIFF may be an international film festival—with films from 60 countries—but few programs hit closer to home than our Ohio Shorts programs. These are short films made by or about people (or issues) from Ohio, or shot in Ohio, representing some of the best locally grown talent. Hernan Barangan’s “The Road Rebellion” is connected to a larger series of videos that he has been producing for the last few years under the umbrella of “The Cancer Rebellion.” A cancer survivor himself, he teamed up with Teen Cancer America “because I realized that the one thing that’s common to nearly every young cancer patient is the fact that they are horribly isolated. This was a huge part of my own experience when I was going through treatment, and I struggled with it for many years after I beat cancer.” [caption id="attachment_5178" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Photo by Nanekia Morgan. L-R: Jake Thomas (“Hotwire”), Hernan Barangan (“The Road Rebellion”), and Erin Brown (“Hotwire”) are ready for action![/caption] His special Cleveland connection is with Char and Chuck Fowler, who established the Angie Fowler Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Institute at Cleveland’s Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. “Teens and young adults must have access to age-appropriate cancer treatment,” he explains. “This is the first step to ensuring that they get through treatment and move past it to live healthy lives.” Once he finishes his tour of the nation, he plans to assemble a video library and a feature film “that people can turn to for hope,” and that will also serve as a call to arms. For more on the CIFF visit www.clevelandfilm.org  

The Today Show: Cancer’s “Teenage Wasteland”

Posted by

 

Young cancer patients benefit from more teen-friendly treatment centers

Alec Kupelian was enjoying his freshman year of college last May when his pelvis started hurting. Kupelian thought it was just a sports-related injury. It turned out to be a 7-inch tumor. “I was diagnosed with a Ewing’s Sarcoma in my left pelvis,” the 19-year-old said. Ewing’s Sarcoma is a rare bone cancer that mainly affects children. While a cancer diagnosis weighs heavily at any age, it’s especially challenging for teen patients, who are at a stage of live where they’re extremely image conscious, not to mention busy preparing for prom or college. [caption id="attachment_4774" align="alignleft" width="665"] Click image to view video[/caption]

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Dr. Gary Kupfer, Yale’s chief of pediatric oncology said that it’s hard for teen cancer patients to balance, “the challenges of body image, of dealing with anxiety of dealing with the transition from childhood to adulthood.” Which is all combined with, “the stress of a life-threatening disease.” “Everybody I know kind of keeps moving forward and I’m stuck where I am,” Kupelian told NBC’s Kate Snow on TODAY. “It’s a very different place in life to get cancer.” About 70,000 teens and young adults are diagnosed with cancer every year, according to the National Cancer Institute. But hospitals and doctors didn’t tailor treatment for their teen patients until the ’90s, with the help of two British rock legends. The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend started a movement in the U.K., called Teenage Cancer Trust, to specialize and improve teen and young adults’ experiences battling cancer. They then brought their effort to the United States to encourage similar changes through Teen Cancer America, which works with hospitals to develop teen-friendly environments with age-specific medical and emotional help. Instead of going to football games or studying, “I’m here for chemo,” Kupelian said from the UCLA teen cancer lounge, one of seven cancer-treatment facilities in the U.S. offering a teen-friendly environment with the help of Daltrey and Townshend’s Teen Cancer America. “This isn’t a hospital,” Kupelian said of the UCLA lounge. “This is one of those fun Nickelodeon motel kind of things.” Kupelian comes in for a 6-hour treatment at the facility every other week. “I think if you’re going through something like chemo, going through cancer, the more you can keep an upbeat attitude and the more you can have a smile on your face I think the easier it gets,” he said. “I’m going to come back with a vengeance.” Hernan Barangan is a filmmaker who was diagnosed with leukemia at 15. He recalled what it felt like to get a cancer diagnosis in the middle of a vulnerable stage of life. “You kind of think you’re immortal, and you kind of think that life’s always going to be fun and all that stuff. And suddenly, they drop that word on you,” he said. With funding from Teen Cancer America, Barangan is now working on a film project that involves interviewing teens with cancer in all 50 states. “The moment I’m most fascinated with in all these stories is, like, what’s the point where you decided that, ‘I’m not going to give up,’” he said. “If I can bottle that spark and hand it out to everybody, nobody dies of cancer anymore.”   Originally published Dec. 4, 2014 at 10:32 AM ET. Written by Eun Kyung Kim.